Love as defined by Antonio's Degustation
I have been meaning to write about food for the longest time and I think it must be the most crucial, intricate and important topic for me. Ergo, the major delay. I am mustering all that I can to write about it because i feel that my love for food cannot simply be expressed through words! I just hope this first attempt will encourage me to write freely about food and try to capture the deepest emotions in me upon taking the first bite!
I am just so darn lucky to have such a wonderful boyfriend who listens and gets me even if I have so many things I want going on at the same time. Like he says, “One at a time..” I just have to be more patient to get I want. (BUT IT’S SO HARD!) Which brings me to a wonderful surprise that I have been wanting for so long…. A dinner at Antonio’s Tagaytay for Valentine’s day! Antonio’s is THE BEST restaurant I’ve tried in the Philippines (a constant in the Miele Guide to Asia’s Best Restaurants) and I was so happy when I found out he was able to get us a reservation even if it was V-day, the most fully-booked day for all the special restaurants.
We had to travel all the way from work and got there at almost 9pm! But they understood, like it was a commonplace thing for couples to walk in late straight from a 2-hour drive from Manila.
To get to Antonio’s you have to drive a long pathway from the mainroad but once you enter their gates (which looked like a private gate btw!) you will be welcomed by their iconic driveway.
Antonio’s iconic driveway. The start of a gastronomic night! Excitement brewing!
I really love black and white interiors! It’s actually the theme of my room! (hoping to blog about it soon) Antonio’s interior design does not disappoint! It’s a mix of traditional Filipino with the intricate patterns of the tiles, paneled wooden windows and the small statues that adorn the hallways. These are contrasted contrasted by the contemporary elements of the black and white walls and clean lines.
One of Antonio’s big rooms which was almost empty when we arrived at 9pm!
My favorite part of the design. The intricate black and white tiles! It’s just like my room! but more expensive. hehe
Okay, so I want my blog to also feature a restroom shot because for me, restrooms are crucial. My mom always tells me that you should check the restroom because if they maintain their restrooms clean and polished, that’s how they take care of the whole restaurant and most importantly, the kitchen (which we never see most of the time!)
Antonio’s restrooms are just divine! I love the whole look! I can definitely hang out at their restrooms! haha dyahe lang the open window. I hate PEEPING TOMS!
We were seated at the garden area around the Koi pond which had just the right ambience compared to the stiff tables in the big areas. Here’s our awesome view.
They put out umbrellas because it drizzled early in the afternoon but you can ask them to put it down.
Tables beside the Koi pond.
Clean lines, greenery and yellow light. Got to love the ambience!
As soon as we were seated, the waiter came with the oversized menus and we decided to go for the Valentine degustation special. Eugene and I just chose different entree’s and desserts. Now it’s time to make you hungry!
This was one of the best service breads I’ve tried. I swear! The crust was super nutty and crunchy and the inside was chewy, sweet and hot! Just the way I like it. No need for the butter!
Now, THIS is definitely my favorite part of every meal. I know a lot of you love desserts but I’m more of an appetizer kind of girl! So much more when the appetizers come in 3! This is BY FAR, the best part of the whole degustation!
(from L-R)
1. Scallop Tasting - I’m not very fond of scallops but this one was an exception because it wasn’t too fishy and the cooking was so good because it was juicy and sweet. I loved the foam on top which was really yummy and delightful.
2. Roquette Salad on Quattro Formaggi Tart - O.M.G.! I loved this so much because of the Quattro Formaggi Tart!!! anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE CHEESE and this one takes the cake! They made a tart using 4 kinds of TOASTED CHEESE. Imagine the best part of the pizza is usually the toasted cheese on the sides right? and they made it a WHOLE tart. HELLLOOO YUMMY! Nawala ako sa world! The mix of the cheese was creamy that had a bite to it. A MUST TRY!
3. Pan Seared Foie Gras on Granny Smith Apple I know I’ve been raving about foie gras for the longest time and I can say that the fascination hasn’t gone away. It’s such a hard mission to look for restaurants that serve perfectly cooked foie gras! Most restaurants serve it in a thick slice which makes it nakakaumay once you get to the middle part. I love Antonio’s cause the serving is just right and the foie was seared evenly. I like how it’s paired with a slice of tangy granny smith apple which balances it out. Don’t forget to try smearing it on the bread or crostini. YUMMY!!!
SOUP TIME!
Baked Tomato Cappuccino I love foam on food! This tomato cream soup was hot, creamy and sour all at the same time. Just right! The crostini with gruyere was equally good. Again, I love cheese and toasts!
Roasted prawns on top of Wild Mushroom Risotto
I wasn’t full yet at this point but I didn’t eat much of the risotto because I wanted some space left for the entree! I must say though that the prawns were cooked perfectly! Prawns/shrimps should be cooked only until it’s semi-transparent so it comes out juicy and flavorful. I love how their prawns tasted smoky! Don’t you just hate it when you get overcooked prawns/shrimps that are flaky and already sticking to the shell?!
Watermelon Calamansi Sorbet to freshen the palette!
Eugene’s Entree: Beef Fillet with Garlic Mustard Cream sauce - It was ok, mine was better!
MY Herbed Roasted Rack of Lamb with Cardamom Beurre Blanc with Pumpkin Sage Risoni - I love lamb! Most people find it too gamey, but I’m a big carne fan that way! This whole rack was HUGE but cooked perfectly! It’s very juicy but it had toasted parts too that was SO GOOD. I usually ask for some mint jelly for the palette but the cardamom beurre blanc was already perfect that I didn’t want to ruin the taste on my happy buds. I also liked the pumpkin sage risoni which was basically pasta shaped like rice. I wasn’t able to finish it cos it was too heavy already.
Green tea for the happy soul!
Dessert! my Dark Chocolate Souffle with Cardomom Creme Anglaise. I love souffles and I love how the taste was kind of toasted already. I wasn’t too fond of the Cardamom Creme though, I liked the flavor on my lamb but not on my dessert! It tastes like ginger, and I’m not a big fan of ginger.
Eugene’s Assorted Berries with Chantilly - I was already bursting at this point, I just tried some of the chantilly which was lovely! Eugene finished it whole.
I can definitely say that Antonio’s is on the top of my list when you want to have a romantic and gastronomical experience. It’s worth the 2-hour drive because nothing beats Tagaytay evening weather after long hours in the Manila heat! It’s also the only place that you won’t complain about how expensive it is because the food is from world of its own! BEST.DATE.EVER.
Me and my boyfriend, Eugene! <3
If you haven’t tried Antonio’s, you should be booking a reservation now!
Antonio’s Restaurant
+63918-899-2866
