The Last Hurrah

Just one more day to go before I get back to work; and what better way to spend it than by going to Tagaytay for the New Year for the last hurrah this holiday season.

Tagaytay is just about an hour away by car from my place. Situated at the top of a mountain, Tagaytay City is among the best tourist destinations in the metro. Unlike other travel destinations, Tagaytay City is pretty much urbanized with dozens of shopping stores, restaurants and clubs any yuppie would enjoy hanging out in. It is paradise for those of us who wanted to get away from the city yet still feel the urban life. Since Tagaytay City is located on top of a mountain, the wind breeze is pretty cold this time of the season. Temperature can drop up to 15 degrees Celsius- just like in New York except for the snow!

Since it's only an hour away from the City, my family and I left at around 5:30PM. Tagaytay is well known for it's very cold weather and tonight was no exception. Jackets and scarf in hand, we traveled for over an hour and a half (thanks to the heavy traffic- seems like everybody is either on their way up to Tagaytay or going down from it); our destination- the Summit Ridge Hotel; a hip place for yuppies, families and businessmen who wants to cool down and relax while taking in a marvelous view of the city.

The Robinson's Summit Ridge Hotel & Promenade

Summit Ridge Hotel boasts a large promenade filled with various stores, restaurants and recreational activity spots for the whole family to enjoy. This evening, there was a bazaar set up near the fountain and hundreds of guests loiter around the area, checking out the different items for sale or dining at the finest restaurants in the area. Since I'm a shopaholic, I couldn't resist from taking a peek at the bazaar and see for myself if there are any items I might actually be interested in getting for myself. Necklaces, bead bracelets, scarves and animal hats adorned several stores. Though I found nothing really interesting and unique, I was fascinated with the animal head caps they have on display. I thought only kids wear those stuff- but I was wrong. Adults and grannies loiter the area wearing different animal heads on their heads! It was hilarious. I wouldn't try one because I'm afraid it will mess up my hair. 

The Top View Of The Promenade

There were two spacious floors to the summit promenade. Restaurants and shops are littered all over the place. The second floor balcony is a popular picture perfect spot for people who brought their cameras. A sucker for good pictures myself, I had several shots of me taken on the balcony and the bridge way.

Kids won't get bored with the place. An arcade area is set up on the second floor with several games for the little brats to enjoy. I'm not big on kids so I just let my uncle and my mom bring my nephew there to play while I stroll around the area enjoying the gust of cold wind and the snaps of the paparazzi wanting to take my picture with other tourists and guests.

A Paparazzi Who Took My Picture

My & My Famous Mom By The Arcade

Another Paparazzi Took My Picture While I Was On The Phone

Since the place was jam packed with people and an acoustic band was set up by the fountain on the ground floor, it's quite difficult for us to find a good place to eat. There are about more than 10 restaurants on the promenade: Giligan's Island, Sanctuaryo, Inasal Bacolod Chicken, Pepper Steak Lunch and even Starbucks to name a few. We found an empty table at Cows On Fire- a grilling and steakhouse and I'm glad we did. It's not very often we go to Tagaytay so I'd rather try something different here rather than the old usual restaurants I can find and dine in the metro. Besides, I'm in the mood for burgers and steaks anyway and Cows On Fire is just the perfect place to enjoy it.

Starbucks & Giligans At The Summit Ridge

Cows On Fire- I Love It!

The meal was sumptuous and not very expensive. I ordered the Cheese and Chicken Strips for appetizers which costs P255 and for the main course, Salisbury Steak which costs only P279 and a glass of bottomless Iced Tea. They also serve beers and wines that goes best with your steak. My uncle ordered a bucket of San Miguel Lights and I had 2 bottles for the evening just to experience the perfect steak-beer dinner the way the Australians do. I wasn't disappointed at all. The whole meal was excellent!

We headed back home at around 02:00 AM since the traffic almost wounded down. The whole trip was fun and relaxing. It was the perfect adventure to close the holiday season. Next year, we might go somewhere different to celebrate the last hurrah- but as far as I'm concerned, this was one of the best I had experienced.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas Ala Barcino

I have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the 5th branch of Barcino at Rockwell set to happen this December 2010. As a Christmas tradition, my family often serve wine during our yearly Christmas soiree and get together. Year after year, yours truly is in charge of scouting the metro for the finest wine to serve on our holiday feast.

I have been a consistent customer of Barcino ever since this tradition in our family began. While there are many wine shops in the metro today; like Ralphs, Cordon Bleu, Titania and Wine Direct Makati; my favorite wine store/restaurant would always be Barcino. 

Barcino At Greenbelt Makati

Barcino is actually spanish.It first started as a gourmet shop and bar in 2004 named Barcino Gourmet. offering one of the best gourmet foods in the metro partnered with fine selected wines, sundry cheese, fuet, and other spanish delicacies. In 2006, Barcino became a stable name in the high class market and was transformed into a classy tapas wine bar. This transformation was linked to the success and recognition from some of the European and American notable wine producers. The distribution also came to play an important role in hotels, restaurants and superb events happening in the Metro.

Most notable among it's trendiest branch was the one located in Ortigas. Soon after, branches at The Fort and Greenbelt 5 were born. Contrary to many people's opinion. Barcino is not that expensive. With it's success in the restaurant and wine industry, Barcino continued to expand and with it's key to success in providing tasteful wine selections at affordable prices, thus carrying it's motto “tasteful wine for every budget”. Hence, Barcino broke the stereotype that wine is a product solely for the rich and famous people with high purchasing power. Now, thanks to Barcino, everyone could enjoy a healthy and tasteful wine anytime anywhere.

Baigorri Rosado

Barcino boasts a wide selection of the finest wines from red and white wines, to sparkling ciders and even rose and sherry wines. Last year, we purchased one of it's bestsellers- the Baigorri Rosado. For just P995, we were able to enjoy this rose wine with fruity aromas of banana, pear and pineapple. Baigorri Rosado has a silk texture that bursts with flavor on your sip. It goes very well with just about anything on your Christmas feast- from hams to salads, enchiladas, and specially spicy food. This was one of the best wines I've ever tasted and when I purchased the bottle last year for our Noche Buena, I knew I made the right choice with this.

Lan Rioja Crianza

This year, we are planning to get the Lan Rioja Crianza- a brilliant red wine with flavors of cherry and violet hues. It's a french wine stored in oak barrels for 12 months for the ageing process. It has an elegant aroma with hints of fruit. What I like about this wine is that it has a sweet taste despite of it's 13% alcohol content. The Lan Rioja Crianza is simply perfect as wine served in a glass. It costs only P1,300 and is this year's Barcino best seller! Not bad for a french wine that's truly fine on the palate.

Barcino's Magic Wine Boxes

For wine collectors out there, Barcino has also launched it's Magic Wine Boxes for this year's holiday season. Very cheap and fine delectable wines up for grabs only at Barcino. 

My dad's choice is the "Lustful Caress" collection: Finca Resalso Emilio Moro, Elsa Malbec, Baigorri Rose, Caliza, Solaguen Reserva and Viñas del Vero Gewurztraminer for P7,800.

My choice would be the "Diamond Collection" with the most elegant selection of fine wines in the Metro: Mather Teresina, Beronia III A.C., Malleolus de Valderramiro, Peñafiel Vendimia Saleccionada, Finca Resalso and Borsao Bole for only P23,135. I know it costs a lot; but for me there's just no substitute when it comes to fine wine- not even the price.

I'm pretty excited with Barcino's opening at Rockwell this month. For the past 2 years, I have been purchasing our holiday wines at their Greenbelt branch. I think it would be a nice change to visit a new branch- specially with very nice interiors like the ones on the inset:

Interior Of Barcino Rockwell

This coming Christmas will definitely be new and exciting. There's so much to celebrate for and lots of fine wine to go around. Shopping for this year will absolutely be wonderful. I can't wait to get my plans rolling for our holiday feast! How about you- what are you planning to serve for Christmas this year?