It was a heavy-traffic-kind of day going to Tagaytay on Tuesday but Tagaytay beckons me back for this big sumptuous breakfast sampler at the Bag Of Beans.
On second thought, I think it's what they call in our language "takaw mata"(it's the eyes that is hungry). The presentation is appetizing but it's hefty for me, even for brunch. Besides I can have that in town, just not as beautifully presented perhaps, but I can also make that at home.
We entered SLEX, Filinvest at 6 and arrived at the Bag of Beans for breakfast after 8. I wasn't surprised to see a bigger establishment, afterall it has to accommodate the onslaught of clients. Though they retained the open-air atmosphere, the garden ambiance is no longer as authentic as before when we used to frequent the place, but impressive nonetheless.
Oh yes, they have wifi, so I was able to post our breakfast on Facebook straight away.
From Sta Rosa junction all the way was heavy, I heard it was worse during the Asean Summit weekend when thousands of cars were noted in Tagaytay. The two lanes on either side as a result of road widening doesn't cut it due to the heavy influx of city dwellers who wanted to escape to the countryside.
Tagaytay became more popular in recent years due to it's vicinity to metro Manila; one can come and go in a day. Because of the pleasant weather it became an alternative vacation destination to Bagiuo, the summer capital of the Philippines,
The last time we were in Tagaytay was during the Christmas season last year when our son-in-law treated us to that great breakfast buffet at Balay Dako. The trip back and fort didn't take long unlike last Tuesday.
After breakfast, we went on to pay the real estate tax, our main purpose for the trip.
We made a brief stop at Royale Tagaytay Estates Golf and Country Club for halo halo.
At half past 10 when we started back we saw to our dismay that both sides of the road were bumper to bumper. Can you believe that we got home south of the metro at half past 2 pm?
Tagaytay is a fast-growing metropolis, bursting with new business establishments. As we droved passed, I saw new restaurants, BNBs and small hotels with attractive and welcoming facade. There are more souvenir and local delicacies stores, fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, ornamentals and herb gardens as well.
I recall when we frequented Tagaytay 2 to 3 times a week after we bought our property some 20 years ago, (the only time in our lives that Jim and I worked part-time for half a year) we enjoyed the facilities of the new country club. Back then Tagaytay was easily accessible to and from our home.
Lena, a friend in the US saw my breakfast post on Facebook and asked where to have dinner in Tagaytay this coming Christmas season. Well, I can only recommend what I tried like Balay Dako, the Bag of Beans and Antonio's restaurant,
I haven't been to Sonya's Bed and Breakfast recently, Jim brought me there for lunch when it was a newly opened vegan and nature restaurant, not yet a BNB then. Lena and her family may like its romantic ambiance.
My friend Tess post this picture above among others on Facebook which made me curious to open Sonya's BNB website.
A usual stop for us is Rowena's, a store of native delicacies. Their cupcake-size buko pie is to die for though there are numerous other goodies to choose from. I noticed many customers as I walked in and a long queue at the cashier.
I was able to get this box of the original flavor of buko pie (I intended to get two since they last long if popped in the freezer) but they ran out. I also grabbed a box of egg tarts for my granddaughter, it's her favorite.
If one has been to Tagaytay one would like to go back in spite the heavy traffic.
Chill at the most beautiful Starbucks in the Philippines in that cool weather, sit outside and appreciate the overlooking-view of Laguna the bay and know that it is the place to be; to unwind and enjoy time with family and friends.
