BALAY DAKO – A must-visit…

BALAY DAKO

“Enjoy life, it is delicious.”

Catching up with myself, I decided to self-gratify and do a quick fix by visiting one of my favorite places in the Philippines – Tagaytay.

Among the long list of where to make our tummies happy, we chose “Balay Dako”.

bd-outside — She’s all smile getting there.

bd-piyaya — Piaya originated from Bacolod..

Immediately upon entering their enormous dining hall, we found our spot.

It is facing a central view of the famous Taal lake. It came to us with the soft cool breeze of Tagaytay. And some fogs too which were too thin to notice.

bd-taal — The weather was great at that time.

Spending almost 3 hours to get there from my place, we ordered some of their specialties to our heart’s content.

bd-feet — And relaxing at the same time..

And while waiting for our food, I took photos of what they’re using in their kitchen.

bd-kitchen — It was good to know that some of these are in my kitchen too..

I must not forget to mention here that Chef Tony (Escalante) was there and smiles at everyone including me. #startruck

Permit me this awe since he is touted as one of the best chefs in Asia. The brain behind Antonio’s Restaurant. Though the Executive Chef of Balay Dako is Chef Ricky Sison.

So, here’s what we’ve had:

Our table were filled with Filipino cuisine and the usual that we cooked at home, but broadly speaking, the taste and ambiance and the service are 2 thumbs up.

bd-food — We had shrimps, beef and green mango salad.

bd-dessert — Two old-time favorites: Turon and bibingka..

bf-sago — And another favorite: Sago and gulaman for our drinks.

bd-mascuvado — We were also provided with mascuvado sugar either for our bibingka or sago gulaman should we wanted it sweeter.

bd-condiments — Each table is served with staple condiments.

And these are the elements making up a note-worthy place that deserves frequent visit. I then again wished that Tagaytay is just 15 minutes away from me. More of a visceral thing to me. We were in a relaxed mode anyway.

bd-letters — I had fun spotting two of the most important letters to me..=)

The place is huge, giving justice to it’s name: “Balay Dako”. Dako is big in the Visayas where Chef Tony hailed from.

You’d be glad to know that after we had our desserts, our feet lead us to their specialty shop and brought home some stuff too.

bd-neatly-arranged — Neatly arranged items..

bd-bakery — Chalkboard menuboard which will eventually be included in my other blog that features my fascination on Calligraphy.

bd-cart — When you visit this, there’ll always be something that you can bring home..

bd-chicharon — Chicharon which equates to 20 counts of burpees.. =p

Find time to visit the place and I’m pretty sure you’ll like it there too.

They asked if we have tried these other two: Breakfast at Antonios and Antonio’s Restaurant (the pilot branch). And if not, they said that we must. =) I think I’ll start saving for the latter. Their steaks are famous. =)

bd-me