Writing- Photography/Traveling
One Instagrammable Sunday In Tagaytay
Sunday is only once a week, make the most of it
In our present society where YOLO and FOMO boggle our minds, we tend to tell ourselves “if they can go there, why can’t I” and “if they can do it, why can’t I”. Even if it’s only sipping a glass of ice-cold fruit juice which you can buy at the nearby grocery. Even if it’s only a bowl of fried rice which you can easily make. You still want to have them somewhere far away and instagrammable.😊
Surely, the taste is just the same. But sometimes you still need to taste it to know the taste.
Tagaytay
Tagaytay is a city located in the south of Manila. It has a cool climate and becomes foggy and windy in the colder months. It overlooks Taal Lake and the active Taal Volcano can be viewed from there.
With the newly constructed skyway, going there is 2/3 of the time than it used to be. However, don’t dare to go there on weekends. The skyway toll fee will be useless because of the traffic from the end of the skyway up to Tagaytay. Our supposed to be 2-hour drive became 3 hours.
Tucked in the city is the Crosswind Tagaytay. The newest addition of places to experience in the city. At the entrance, a handful of restaurants can be found. The thing is, they are crowded as they can easily be accessed.
“Crosswinds is a haven south of Manila inspired by the architecture of Switzerland. Rows of picturesque chalets sit serenely on a lush terrain at one of the highest points of Tagaytay. Over 20,000 pine trees perfume the property with its sweet scent” — crosswindstagaytay.com
Driving farther, there are more cafes and restaurants. Lesser crowd and cozier ambiance, what with pine trees left and right. But there is a catch, the not-so-good catch:
- the roads are all uphill
- the menus are pricier
- a hefty parking fee (for those who won’t dine in, only curious at the place)
just think that the place is instagrammable and don’t mind anything else
The restaurants, the view and the food in snapshots.
1.The Sky
Let me start with the sky along the skyway. So beautiful, isn’t it?
2. The view going uphill
The roads were so steep that our car had to catch its breath several times. And us, holding our breath that it won’t stop.
Well, at least the view is breathtaking in its own little way.
3. Yama
Yama is a Japanese restaurant. Yama is a Japanese word meaning mountain, hill or peak.
Their menu consisted of the usual: sushi, tepanyaki, dotonbori, lattes and Japanese beer.
I ordered Ebi Fry Sandwich.
A little trivia: Japanese don’t eat bread crust. For them, it’s not as tasty as the bread itself. Most of their breads and sandwiches are crust-less.
The Ebi Fry Sandwich is worth $10. In our end, it is pricey. In popular Japanese restaurants located in malls, I can order a big bowl of ramen at a price lesser than that.
When I read blogs of those who have eaten here, we have a common denominator, the pricey price.
In eating here, don’t mind the price, mind the view.
4. Dear Joe/ Joe’s Tavern
Dear Joe Cafe is considered as the first writing letter cafe in the Philippines. You can write anything you have in your mind on a piece of paper provided on each table. With a reasonable delivery fee, they will send the letter to your loved one’s house.
Their menu ranges from coffee, latte, fruit blended drinks, iced shaken drinks, pastries, gelato and main courses.
A bit pricey too. Did you see that cup of fruits in the photo above? That’s $6, considering it was all apple, watermelon, and pineapple. But we still ordered it. It was served with yogurt anyway.
Well, I have to say again, it’s all about the ambiance and the concept.
5. Windmill Lausanne
Across the Dear Joe is the Windmill. A Swiss-inspired restaurant with interiors wanting you to feel like being in a European pub.
The menu includes pizza, pasta, sausages, coffee, lattes and beer. Some dishes are served in a skillet.
Unfortunately, our tummies were full.
Real Talk and Observations
So many cafes and restaurants are sprouting like mushrooms. And at the same time, some of the old restaurants that can’t cope up with the changing and demanding consumers would rather close shop.
With these realities, the challenge is not only about offering good food but more about offering good interiors and exteriors.
I heard more clicking of cameras than clicking of spoons and forks. I saw more smiling lips than lips sipping straws. I saw more talking mouths than munching mouths.
It’s a question of – does eating out in an instagrammable place worth the price? I would say:
- If not frequently done, it is.
- If you can afford it, why not?
- You Only Live Once, why be frugal.
Consumer traffic in the malls are consistent. In places like this, profits only come on weekends. This is business.
With customers ordering a grande frappuccino and occupying a table and a seat for more than an hour, the coffee deserves a higher price tag.
It’s a matter of which comes first – the ice melts or the butt hurts😁.
Some thoughts to ponder:
A bottle water can be .50 cents at a supermarket, $2 at the gym, $3 at the movies and $6 on the plane. Same water. Only thing that changed its value was the place…So next time you feel your worth is nothing, maybe you’re at the wrong place💯…Kobi Simmons #inspireheartsandminds