TAAL Vista Hotel in cool and relaxing Tagaytay City has always been known for its breathtaking view of Taal Lake and, more particularly, Taal Volcano. From the spacious viewdeck and promenade area towards the rear of the hotel, the view is simply amazing. In recent years, it has also become a good destination dining place to go to because it serves good food, be it from the buffet spread or a la carte menu of Café Veranda.
Now, it is poised to become a new breakfast destination, too, with the recent launch of the breakfast and brunch menu of the hotel’s Tāza Fresh Table. Located at the ridge overlooking Taal Lake, Tāza Fresh Table is an intimate restaurant that serves fresh food that make use of Tagaytay’s bountiful fresh produce and other fresh ingredients from Cavite and Batangas. It stands where the Magnolia function room used to be, and it got its name from the Arabic word Taaza, which means ‘fresh.’ The country garden inspired restaurant is surrounded by glass walls, so imagine dining on fresh, good food with the view of Taal Lake in the background. Awesome indeed!
Now, there’s even an extensive breakfast menu to keep you happily glued to your seat. Tāza Fresh Table’s Chef Jayme Natividad has come up with a whole range of breakfast favorites, such as a stack of fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes (Php275) with lemon curd, cream cheese butter and maple-honey syrup) made from scratch; French Toast (Php310) made with freshly baked baguettes and served with homemade bacon, candied walnuts and caramelized bananas; Croque Madam (Php500), which is country ham, Gruyere cheese, Béchamel sauce, sunny side up eggs with a side of market green salad and home fries; and a hefty Chorizo Burger with Egg (Php550) served in a pandesal bun with cream cheese and a side of French fries or home fries.
Diners who simply want Eggs for breakfast can have them scrambled (Php330), sunny side up (Php300) or poached (Php320), all served with toasts, fresh market greens and home fries. For those who like their eggs rich and indulgent, try Tāza’s Eggs Benedict with freshly whipped-up Hollandaise sauce, served with fresh market greens and home fries. The Eggs Benedict can be had in three ways—with ham (Php450), bacon (Php550) or smoked salmon (Php565).
There are also three choices when it comes to Omelet—with ham and gruyere (Php400), mushrooms (Php375) or ratatouille (Php420).
For diners who prefer to have a light and healthy breakfast, Chef Jayme offers Homemade Granola (Php250), which is rolled oats, granola, dried mango and pineapple and raisins, served with honey and Greek yogurt. He does not compromise flavor just to make it light and healthy.
Also available during breakfast are Tāza Fresh Table’s regular menu, which includes a number of salads (making full use of Tagaytay’s fresh vegetables and fruits), pasta dishes (which are made with homemade fresh pasta and not commercially available dry pasta), pizza (with a homemade crust and the freshest toppings), main entrées and desserts.
Must-tries include Bacon and Egg Salad (Php295), a generous platter of frisee, Romaine lettuce, homemade bacon and poached egg, dressed with sherry vinaigrette; and Nicoise Salad (Php495), a classic salad with grilled tuna, olives, potatoes, Romaine lettuce, green beans, arugula, hard-boiled eggs, anchovies, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing for salads; and Fettuccine Carbonara (Php350) with homemade pancetta, garlic and eggs for pasta. When it comes to pizza choices, it’s really a matter of whether you want it vegetarian, simply with tomatoes and basil with Laguna mozzarella, purely cheesy, classic ham and cheese, or loaded with seafood. Even vegetarians would be very happy with the Grilled Vegetable Pizza (Php380), topped generously with eggplant, zucchini, roasted peppers, Laguna mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, truffle oil and balsamic glaze; and the Zucchini and Squash Blossoms Pizza (Php375), with roasted zucchini, Laguna mozzarella, crispy squash blossoms and tomatoes.
The entrées come highly recommended, whether it be for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Consider these selections: Steak and Eggs (Php995), with 200 grams of Ribeye served with home fries, sauce foyot, toast and eggs prepared the way diners want them; Southern Fried Chicken (Php395), a hearty breakfast of battered boneless fried chicken served with garlic gravy and paired with waffles served with honey-maple syrup; Homemade Corned Beef (Php650), served with home fries, fresh market greens and eggs, any style; Smoked Salmon (Php500), with egg salad, crème fraiche and brioche; Homemade Bacon (Php350), which is 10-day cured and 6-hour smoked bacon served with apple-mango compote; Tomahawk Pork Chop (Php790), with pork jus, caramelized onion and bananas; and Wagyu Burger (Php550), made with ground Bukidnon Wagyu, layered with Tagaytay Romaine lettuce and mozzarella cheese, served with potato wedges and coleslaw.
How about dessert? It’s a difficult choice among Olive Oil Ice Cream (Php215) with glazed Tagaytay pineapple, Vanilla Custard Cake (Php225) with candied kumquat and red peppercorn syrup, Molten Chocolate Cake (Php225) with Alfonso tablea chocolate and Pato queso de bola ice cream, Cannoli with Ube Ricotta and Langka Cream (Php275) which are puff pastry cylinders stuffed with purple yam and jackfruit pastry cream, and the ever-present Fresh Fruit Plate (Php175) of seasonal fruits served with fresh yogurt. Tough choice. So diners usually order a combination of desserts and share them.
To complete the breakfast dining experience, there’s Barako Coffee (Php180) and Tsokolate (Php170) to wash it down. Even the breakfast beverage choice can be tough.
Tāza Fresh Table is open for breakfast from 7:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays, and dinner from6:00 to 10:00 p.m. every day, except Tuesdays.
(Taal Vista Hotel is located at Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City; with telephone numbers +63 (2) 917-8225, +63 (46) 413-1000, and 0917-8091254.)
