New Dining Destination: My Country House Tagaytay

Tagaytay has always been a good weekend destination for those looking for adventure, the cold weather, and good food. The touristy spots are a given, I don't go there much because of the sheer amount of people. I'm part of the statistic who basically mind crowds and prefer a more quiet, less stressful location. There's still plenty of that in Tagaytay, and it's so awesome that travel there only takes an hour and a half (depending on where you are in Manila). 

On Sundays or special occasions, I often go to Our Lady of Lourdes Paris Church in Silang Cavite or Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel. Then after a holy hour, we often have lunch in nearby restaurants because yes, Tagaytay is a food destination. There's a new restaurant off the beaten path and it's called "My Country House". This is around 10 minutes away from the highway (if you're coming from Lourdes Church) and can be searched on Google maps here.  

Much of the furniture here include heirloom pieces from the previous owner. This is a country home, one that you can visit every now and then since it's only a few hours away from Metro Manila. 

 

 

 

 

 

The interiors felt like your Tita's house (na nakaka angat angat sa buhay lol) that you would actually go to and enjoy time with family and friends. It's a mix of wood, comfy chairs with green, white and yellow accents. It's also well lit, perfect for brunch/lunch, even dinner.

This is the view from the restaurant. It's clear green grass on some parts, filled with tropical plants and the actual forest around the perimeter. They hold events here like weddings and parties, prolly could hold 300-350 pax. Those intimate weddings you're dreaming of might just fit. What I also like about this place is their Silkie Chickens that roam around the property, they're very friendly and would make a nice activity for kids to interact with.

Got to talk to Chef Arnold Gozon who politely asked about the dishes served, staying on top of the game and very open to suggestions.

My Kale Drink, freshly baked bread with flavored butter, plus table side Kale and Romaine Caesar Salad to start off the meal

We started with the Cheese Gougeres, Seared Foie Gras Canapes and the Miso Bagna Cauda. If you had to choose, get the Foie Gras of course! The Burrata is comforting too. Everything else is fair game.

My friends had the Saffron Seafood Paella while I got the Steak Rice (because my allergies wasn't having it!) It was comforting to have that together with the mains. Yes, get the Steak Rice!

The Chef personally prepared a 21 Day US Dry Aged Rib Eye Steak for us that afternoon, and yes, it was so worth every slice I had. It was even better with the roasted garlic on the side and the optional mushroom or spinach sauce. This is meant to be shared, but who's stopping us from having this all to ourselves right? 

One of My Country Home's specials, this is Country Chicken Relleno. This was something that Chef Arnold Gozon prepares on Holidays/Christmas, but thought why not serve this labor of love in the restaurant. Make sure you have this with the sauce on the plate and roasted garlic, you need to arrange a perfect bite.

This is Chef Arnold Gozon's personal favorite, the Melting Salmon. It's soft, melts in your mouth salmon that's been cooked in oil like a confit, then lathered with miso sauce, and an Asian herb relish. Even those who didn't eat salmon actually enjoyed this, so try this out yourself!

If there's something I'd recommend, it will be this Lengua Estofado. Although usual Lengua dishes fall into rancid/organ like flavors, this one doesn't do that. It's very soft, you would mistake it for rump chunks that's been cooked for hours. It's also ultra creamy which makes it a whole lot different than your usual lengua. Best on for me.

So if you're thinking of spending the weekend at Tagaytay and feel the need for something special for your friends, family or better half, go check out My Country House at 115 Pulong Sagingan Street, Maitim 2nd West in Tagaytay. I would strongly suggest you go and reserve first before going there to make sure they've got ample seats and be ready for you. Just call or text 09178751154. They accommodate walk-ins.

Ciao! I'll be back there very soon!

G-SHOCK Releases #PambansangGSHOCK Watch

G-SHOCK has always been in my wrist since their resonance early 2000s. I was so honored to have met the man who started it all in 2014 when he personally went here for the G-SHOCK World Tour, I'm talking about Kikuo Ibe. The man talked about how he started conceptualizing a timepiece that could weather the elements, survive a drop from 4 floors, then wow the whole world with it. 

They've done exactly that.

Then there were more.

Chronographs

Solar and Carbon

More Chronographs

Big G-SHOCK for men.

Now that they're here in the Philippines, they've not only made their presence felt - but sold quite a lot of these timepieces which we've all grown to love. At that time they even made a limited edition GSHOCK watch for the Philippines, which I've been using since then (Yes I am still using it til now!), worn out but totally still fine from all angles. It's one of the reasons why I always have a GSHOCK because it literally lasts years, very practical and superbly designed.

This year, they've announced the G-SHOCK "Design The National G-Shock Competition" and a LOT of people joined in (about 1,200 individuals) who had background in art direction, product design, graphic design and just about every regular joe who could whip up the best looking GSHOCK that would best represent the Philippines. 

CASIO Japan Executive Masaki Obu announcing the winning design.

Finalists include Aaron Cedric Manaloto, Adrian Delmo, Austeen Manalang, Carlo San Jose, Dennis Inosanto, Jerome Banal and Joshua Panaligan. They were flanked by Mr. Masaki Obu during the event.

Dylan Dylanco shows her winning piece, it's called HABI and now dubbed the #PambansangGShock

The winner is Dylan Dylanco. She is self taught, but is an experienced illustrator who's expertise include branding and graphic design. She has already done a lot of things including other lifestyle brands and sports gears, no wonder she's done quite well no?

Her inspiration for this design is the Filipino's undying spirit, the Filipino tribes from up north to the ones in the south and how we've done fabric weaving through the centuries. If you're a Filipino, you would be a little familiar with the patterns, which in turn would also remind you of indigenous tribal warriors in the country. Their grit, toughness, same spirit that runs through the veins of our country's heroes, comparable to the tough G-Shock watches we wear today.

The HABI on my wrist.

The warrior colors are just magnificent! Plus, it's built to last!

This is officially the first G-SHOCK made for and designed by a Filipino. Wear them proud as these guys are limited edition. There are only 200 pieces of these out there, count out the number of celebrities who were there that afternoon so that's even a smaller batch. 

You won't get these anywhere but only the G-SHOCK stores like G-SHOCK Ayala Vertis North (where we were!),G-SHOCK SM City North Edsa in QC, G-SHOCK Glorietta 4 in Makati, G-SHOCK Greenbelt 5, G-SHOCK SM City Clark in Pampanga, G-SHOCK SM City Santa Rosa in Laguna, G-SHOCK SM Lanang Premier in Davao and G-SHOCK SM CDO Downtown Premier branch down south.. It retails for Php 9,999, stocks surely will run out fast!

Hurry! I'm not even joking!


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Tomato Time Opens Newest Branch at Shangrila Mall

Looks like our friends from Tomato Time has just set up shop at the posh Shangri-la Mall in Edsa Mandaluyong City. They're at the 5th level and are offering their lovely watches. I've had my first one around 2 years ago got another one a year after. I like their designs back then and how affordable their products are. Now, they've gone strides, leaps and bounds in coming out with even newer designs that would fit the NOW generation. They have also come out with very romantic pieces, personifying elegance when the occasion needs it. We were able preview the watches early as a perk, it was so nice!

They've come up with these easy, custom watches that already have designs like monograms, graphics, and even photos. They can actually accommodate orders if you want your own design immortalized on these timepieces by shelling out Php 500 or a bit more. They also have packaged corporate giveaways so if you're planning to get one for your employees, a Tomato Time watch must be something you could consider.

Plus ladies, I know you're eyes are stuck looking at these watches. They made this specifically for you and even wrap it up in Rose Gold palette boxes that will surely make it even MORE special. Now think about giving this as a gift to your sister, Mom or even Grandma. The watches would surely be something that they would want to keep, and when the batteries run out and you're under Tomato Time's 1 year warranty, they can fix it for you!

Now I'm planning to get my own site's logo to be inside one of these watches just to see if it's cute. The blogger already is but if wearing something from their collection would make it even better, I have no qualms not to go ahead and do it.

Tomato Time now has their branch at the 5th Floor of Shangri-la Mall in Mandaluyong City. They also have one in SM North Edsa which I frequently go to. This Christmas, it might be a good reason to visit their store because luxury doesn't really mean it has to be expensive. It's Tomato Time!

For more information about their watches:

Tomato Time

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Visit their official website

http://tomatotime.ph/