When one feels getting away from the hustle and bustle of urban living...
When one needs to destress after a long week at work...
When one just wants a quick refuge with family over the weekend...
TAGAYTAY is the best option!
Comfortably cool weather...
Taal Lake and Taal Volcano...
Amazing scenic spots...
AND Good Food!
What's not to love?
There are way too many restaurants here. Quaint Cafes. Carinderia-type. Fast Food. Fine Dining. Farm to Table. Bed & Breakfast.
And one fine day. I guess it was our lucky day. We found it! CAFE CARMENCITA Bed & Breakfast.
AMBIANCE / CLEANLINESS :
Once you pass by it, you can't help but notice. A trellis of yellow bells and a well-kept garden. A fountain and a pond. The house had a beautiful rustic look in it. Once you step inside, you feel at home. At once. It's like being transported back into the Spanish times. When everything was simple. Yet classy.
We were told by our gracious host and owner Kath Manzano that Cafe Carmencita is no way like other old houses transformed into restaurants. This was built just about six to seven years ago and made use of vintage materials to achieve the vintage look. The place looked immaculate. Every piece in the right place! Amazing!
FOOD :
For starters, we were served their signature CHICKEN PIE. Still hot and fresh from the oven. One bite into it and I told myself "This is something I can eat today before I die the next day!" It was THAT good! The crust, the chunks of chicken, some potatoes and everything in it blended so well to create an awesome treat!
Our drinks followed. We had CALAMANSI & CUCUMBER JUICE and GUYABANO SMOOTHIE. Both were very refreshing and obviously didn't use any artificial additives.
And the greens followed. We were made to try the CAESAR'S SALAD and their bestseller, the THREE GREEN SALAD. Vegetables were crisp and the dressings complemented well with rest of the ingredients.
Everything were delightfully savory and tasty but there was one which stood out from the rest. Let's give it up for MOM'S FAMOUS BEEF STEW! Well, it's an heirloom recipe by the matriarch herself Carmencita. And it's not famous for nothing. It's their version of the Creamy Beef with Mushroom or Beef Stroganoff. But better. A lot better. The beef was fork-tender. The vegetables matched the very flavorful sauce perfectly. Believe me. If you come over and you just have to order one dish, this had to be it!
And when you think they already run out of gastronomical surprises, you're wrong! First off, their home-baked cakes will bring our sweet tooth lovies to Cloud 9! NEAPOLITAN CHEESECAKE. CARROT CAKE. SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE. And last but definitely not the least was their house-specialty the TURTLE PIE! Please don't leave without giving it a try!
And it ain't over till it's over! To cap off this wondrous food journey, are their BARAKO COFFEE and TSOKOLATE E with OLD-FASHIONED ENSAIMADA. Pardon me. But I do swear by it! This will be the best Hot Chocolate Drink you will ever have. Rich, thick and creamy. Mildly sweet. Oh boy! Such a sure-fire winner!
CUSTOMER SERVICE :
The over-all vibe is warm and welcoming which is what a HOME should be. Everybody was courteous and attentive. Everybody seemed wanting to please and happy with what they were doing. Our orders were complete in a matter of minutes. Ain't that great!
PRICE :
Looking at the menu, one may find the prices a little steep. Don't fret though. Most of the dishes are good for sharing not just for two but maybe even for three. And I'd like to think that the incredible food and ambiance more than compensates for what one pays for.
Also, the cakes and pastries which tasted way better than those in well-known coffee shops are competitively priced or even cheaper.
WISHLIST :
The Tsokolate E and Barako Coffee were equally good and don't you dream of taking sips of these wondrous concoctions while watching over the amazing view of Taal? Another branch maybe? Hopefully soon!
VERDICT :
Been to Tagaytay countless of times. Lost count. But my visit to Cafe Carmencita made me realize one thing. Even without the breathtaking Taal, my family still had one of our best and most memorable dining experiences in this happy place.
Great food. Great place. Great people. What more could anyone ask for?
And to my dear family, friends and followers, please drop by Cafe Carmencita. You have to take my word for it. A trip to Tagaytay will not be complete without it. Because once you do. You will surely get to feel what I felt. You're finally HOME!!
Cafe' Carmencita
Tuy, Batangas, Philippines
A REVIEW OF CAFE' CARMENCITA
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