It’s a shame that Maria Luisa’s Garden Room of the Makati Garden Club is no longer open to public. It’s one of the best garden restaurants in the city. This made us go looking for more places in the city where food is good, the environs are better, and the grass, greener. Here are five places:
RUSTIC MORNINGS BY ISABELO
11 Isabelo Mendoza St, Bgy San Roque, Marikina; +63 2 5106914, www.rusticmornings.com. Daily 8am-4pm.
Already a popular weekend brunch place, Rustic Mornings was inspired by Felicitas Dee, who became popular in her Marikina neighborhood through her hearty meals and warm hospitality. Her granddaughter Portia Baluyot tried to recreate her lola‘s magic first with the by-reservation-only dinner place Isabelo, and then with Rustic Mornings, its cheerier morning-person version. Here, in the garden of the family’s compound in Marikina, it’s hard not to become a morning person.
What to order: The French toast, herbed hashbrowns and bacon (PHP220) is a breakfast for champions. The banana waffles (PHP150) is a crispy beautiful thing.
BASIL
White Plains cor Katipunan Avenues, Quezon City; +63 2 9114158. Daily 12pm-10pm.
Located in what used to be a garden supply store along White Plains Avenue, Basil’s first outlet surprised many Manila dwellers with its fantastic and authentic Thai cuisine. The owners played with the structure’s old identity by adorning the restaurant with lush greeneries and using natural materials for chairs and tables. Beautiful chandeliers and rustic décor make dining at Basil Katipunan a rather pleasant experience.
What to order: The pla kao rad prik (PHP750) is the house speciality: crispy fish served with three-flavored sauce. The chicken green curry (PHP325) is a popular dish.
NINYO
66 Esteban Abada St, Bgy Loyola Heights, Quezon City; +63 2 4260301. Daily 11am-2pm, 6pm-10pm.
It’s hard to believe that just behind super busy Katipunan Avenue stands quiet and intimate Ninyo, a mainstay in a lot of Manila’s most romantic restaurant lists. Along with Chef Ninyo Laus’ lovely European-Asian cuisine and extensive wine list is its garden—beautiful pavilions, lush greenery, and cozy lighting—which keeps taking the breaths of many a lovers.
What to order: Note that Ninyo always updates its menu so its degustacion is always a good idea. That said, don’t miss out on the popular French onion miso soup (PHP295), the mesquite smoked duck breast salad (PHP600), and the Japanese paella negra (PHP650).
14 FOUR CAFE
144 Magnolia Lane, Gregoria Heights Subdvision, Bgy San Isidro, Taytay, Rizal; +63 999 8880144; www.14forcafe.com. Fri & Sat 10am-10pm. Sun 10am-9pm.
While 14 Four Café proudly gives a shoutout to its sandwiches and American-style breakfast, people have been raving about its Pinoy-style goodies, too. Both, however, don’t come close to the attention given to the garden: with lots of plush colorful couches, wooden benches, and nooks formed around trees, it’s no wonder 14 Four has also become a favorite prenup location, too.
What to order: 14-hour beef tapa (PHP190), amaretto French toast (PHP170), adobo flakes panini (PHP160).
CHEF TATUNG’S
Levi B. Mariano Avenue, Acacia Estates, Taguig; +63 2 4665390; www.facebook.comk. Daily 11am-12am.
Chef Tatung’s is still located in the city, but once there, it feels like you’re in your grandmother’s house in the province. The wide, open-air veranda overlooks a well-manicured garden and is quite the place to be: near enough nature and cool enough to chill.
What to rder: Assorted chips laing dip (PHP160), poki-poki gratin (PHP340), palabok negra (PHP330), pichi-pichi with quezo de bola (PHP130).
All photos courtesy of respective Facebook pages, except Basil, which is courtesy of IamJulienne.com.
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