To maximize our stay in Manila, Ge and I went on some spur-of-the-moment dates. One of it is a road trip to Tagaytay where I specifically requested to try Antonio’s. I’ve read good reviews online and saw nice photos too so why not try the resto for real!
Since it’s just a random date, we didn’t have the address with us. We don’t have internet connection either because we’re only using prepaid sim cards when we’re in the Philippines. We asked around for directions and discovered that there’s 3 different Antonio’s!! There’s Antonio’s, Breakfast at Antonio’s and Antonio’s Grill. Errh, I don’t know which one exactly, I just know that it’s pretty. Hmm, probably an all-day breakfast will fit the photos I saw and I am remembering in my head, and so we headed to Breakfast at Antonio’s. :)
The outside looked promising but when we went in… Oh NO, this isn’t the one. I described the place and asked one of the servers about this mysterious Antonio’s. She’s also not sure but suggested that it could be Antonio’s – the fine dining one. Fine dining?! That sounds expensive. But we decided to solve the mystery and see the place to confirm. We can choose not to continue anyway.
And there we found ourselves in a somewhat remote area, away from the main road. We entered a huge mansion with tall gates, security guard and a spacious garden. It doesn’t look like a restaurant at all.
We were ushered inside their waiting area and they gave us the menu while we wait for our table to be ready. When I saw the menu and the prices, my face went blank. I was controlling all kinds of facial expressions in front of the server taking our orders. Teka, parang napasubo yata kami! Hahaha! And we can’t turn our backs anymore because that means we will have to open their big, heavy doors, walk pass their endless garden and ask the security to let us out. We were not even inside for 10 minutes! In the end, we decided to go for it.
Looking around, there were only a few groups. They were all dressed nice with their branded bags sitting beside them in a separate furniture! They look so prim, proper, elegant and RICH! It felt like we were invited to attend in such a grand and formal event in my colored skinny jeans and leather jacket. Hahaha! And yes, Antonio’s is exactly the place I have seen in my dreams, oops, I mean the photos online. :)
Here’s our share of the experience. Gaah, just seeing these photos makes me want to come back now. Agad agad!! I’m craving!! :))
Antonio’s House Salad
Anonio’s Organic Mesclun Salad, Bleu d’Auvergne Crumbled, Glazed Walnuts, Dried Currants & Cranberries with Raspberry Vinaigrette and drizzled with Basil Oil
Soup of the Day
Schweinshaxe Php 1,650
A German style, Roast Pork Knuckle. Served with Sauerkraut and a German Potato Salad
Chicken Breast Wellington Php 1,500
Stuffed with Spinach and Pinenutes on Chardonnay Mushroom Sauce
Panna Cotta with Honeycomb Caramelo
Dark Chocolate Soufflè with Cardamom Crème Anglaise
The elegant interior for bigger groups, families or events.
Overall, I give them 5 stars and two thumbs up! It was really expensive but it was worth it! The food is sooo good! We ordered the cheapest on their menu and it was a 4-course meal. Basically, we just had to pay for the main entrée and it already comes in a set (house salad, soup of the day, main dish, yummy dessert and bottomless coffee/tea). The price of the set is determined by the price of the entrée. The service is fast and easy (they have one server for each table) and the ambiance, although fancy, doesn’t really feel too formal. It’s the kind of luxury you would want to reward yourself with after all your hard work. Paminsan-minsan lang naman. :)
I would love to go back again definitely! But next time I’ll bring more cash and dress up a bit! LOL :)
ANTONIO’S
Purok 138, Barangay Neogan, Luksuhin-Mangas Road,
Alfonso, Tagaytay City 4120, Philippines
