Food Tripping in Tagaytay - Part 1

Yesterday, my friend invited me to go to Tagaytay to check some furniture shops for a new dining table. As always, we didn't let this opportunity pass without doing some food tripping along the way. I ate so much that I think I went into a little bit of food coma.

Big Lunch

For Lunch, we went to Sonya's Garden. Really, what more can be said about this place? It has been so hyped up and everyone whose been there feels compelled to write about it and share their pictures.

So, why would I be different? :D

On the way to their dining hall

Morning Glory dining hall

Even though it was a Saturday and lunch time, the place was not that full. The food at Sonya's has always been the same; a set menu for lunch or dinner which is eat-and-drink-all-you-can. Most of the food will be served at your table except for the pasta course and some of the dessert.

newly baked whole wheat sesame bread from their panaderia with an array
of freshly made dips & toppings 

The bread was good, healthy and plenty. Except for the basil pesto, most of the toppings were a bit bland. I had to add some chili pepper or salt to make it more palatable. Also, it's hard to identify most of the toppings because they serve everything to you at once without the waitstaff explaining what they were.

Fresh lettuce and arugula harvested from Sonya's garden, Balsamic Vinegar and
Sonya's Secret Salad Dressing and condiments including olive oil with chili,
Parmesan, fresh mint leaves (yes), parmesan and "sonyamak"

toppings for the salad; fresh fruits such as mangoes,
papayas and pineapples, chopped boiled egg, singkamas,
cucumber and popped beans

In keeping with the theme, we also had several toppings for the garden salad. I'm not really into salad in the first place but theirs is pretty good, especially with Sonya's "secret sauce" which was a like Ceasar Salad dressing but a bit sweeter. I especially liked mixing it up with the crunchy popped beans. Kulang na lang bacon bits ;p

pretty!

Pasta course had 2 different kind of sauces; tomatoes, garlic and onion
simmered in olive oil and chunky bits of chicken with cream.
For toppings, salmon belly, ratatouille (stewed vegetables),
shitake mushroom, black olive and capers

I think the pasta course was the weakest thing on the menu. The tomato sauce was too sweet while the cream sauce was very thick and dry. I was excited about the salmon belly but they served it up with skin on, cut up in small pieces and too cooked for my liking. The best thing was the ratatouille which was well cooked but still crunchy.

glazed sweet potato and turon (banana roll with sesame
and jackfruit)

Dessert was a hit and miss. I really liked the turon - the banana was very ripe and was not too sweet. The sweet potato did not look very appetizing. The chocolate cake was not as "smashingly sinful". We were served 1 measly slice, it was moist but not as chocolaty as I expected.

"smashingly sinful" homemade chocolate cake

During the meal, they served us this amazing freshly squeezed dalandan (green mandarin) juice which was not sour at all and was perfect for a hot day. We ended the meal with hot tarragon tea that I liked. I could taste a sweet licorice-like flavor in the tea which reminded me of star anise.

tarragon tea

Location: 

Sonya's Garden is not actually in Tagaytay but in Alfonso, Cavite.

For cars, drive about 20-25 minutes from the Tagaytay Rotunda towards Nasugbu, Batangas. Once you have passed the Splendio Club, look for the Buck Estate to the right just before McMountain Home Apartelle. At Buck Estate, turn right and go straight. Just before a fork in the road is a small sign to show Sonya's Garden.

If you are commuting, take a jeepney going to Nasugbu, Batangas in front of Jollibee near Tagaytay Rotunda. Ask the driver to drop you off at Buck Estate. Once there, take a tricycle to Sonya's. Better make arrangement with the driver to pick you up at a predetermined time - I suggest after 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Jeepney fare is about P19/person while tricycle ride is P30/trip.

The verdict?

1) Ambiance - the garden is small but full of pretty flowers and there are nooks and crannies where you can just sit down, relax and take a cute photos for your FB profile.

2) Food experience - plenty, fresh and you can take as many (or little) toppings/dips for your bread, salad or pasta. If you're more adventurous, you can even mix and match it like putting the basil pesto dip to your pasta instead of on the bread. If you're picky, then this may be good for you since you are able to choose what you put in your bread, salad, pasta. If you are craving protein, this place is not for you. Note that their menu has not changed at all for the past 10 years.

For P680 nett per person, my friend said it best: food was not that spectacular but for the experience, well worth paying for it once.

empty plates mean empty mind :D

Sonya's Garden

Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines
For reservations, call or text the following numbers: +63-9175329097 / +63-9175335140 / +63-9175231080 

email:  info@sonyasgarden.com