Cafe on the Ridge dessert

I had this sinfully rich chocolate dessert at Cafe on the Ridge at the Tagaytay Vista Hotel. We ordered brewed coffee and I was in the mood for something sweet and comforting that cold afternoon. It was the hotel's signature dessert, unfortunately, I forgot what it's called. Chocolate lava cake, I think.... We waited for about thirty minutes for my dessert and I was getting a tad impatient so we called the waitress to remind her of my order. She went to check in the kitchen and when she got back, the waitress apologized for the delay and promised to serve it in ten minutes. The chocolate cake, she explained, err... "erupted"... in a manner of speaking in the course of the baking process and they had to start over. Now how's that for a signature dessert of a hotel best known for its beautiful view of the the Taal volcano?

View of the Taal Lake from Taal Vista Hotel

Although I may have forgotten the name, what I cannot forget is the warm luscious chocolate that oozed out of the fresh out of the oven chocolate cake, a perfect contrast to accompanying scoop of vanilla ice cream. This sweet duo was drizzled with raspberry syrup which added a tangy kick. Oh, what a treat it was. Try it, I promise, it is worth going all the way south for.

The Cliffhouse, Tagaytay

I took some pictures during our very first visit to the Cliffhouse in Tagaytay. It's funny how I'd been going to Tagaytay relatively frequently and yet I has able to go to the Cliffhouse almost three years after they started operations. I enjoyed our stay there and I think you will agree with me if you get to visit the place. It was a good thing that the weather was just perfect that day, too- no fog giving us a clear view of the Taal volcano. The cool Tagaytay breeze never fails to impress.

The Cliffhouse, like One Destination, is a food complex along the Tagaytay Ridge that offers an amazing view of the Taal Lake. It has a very nice garden which gives the place a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.

Any one of the restaurants or cafes found at The Cliffhouse is a perfect place to have a cup of coffee... or two. Unlike One Destination, the Cliffhouse has well landscaped grounds and concrete-paved parking lots. It definitely beats passing through dingy, muddy, Gasul-lined alleys to get from one spot to the viewing deck.

We had lunch at Platito where I ordered Longganisa. It was a very hearty meal, the longganisa was delicious.

The meal, at Php190, came with three eggs, cooked according to your preference, and a cup of very good brewed coffee.

Other restaurants in Cliffhouse include Cafe Breton, Massimo's, Fruits in Ice Cream, Domicillo Homestore and Bar, Buon Giorno and Fire Lake Grill.

I am definitely going back there again to try out the other restaurants. Buon Giorno and Fire Lake Grill bears the mark of approval of The Philippine Tattler magazine. Looks promising.

Sunrise on Tagaytay Ridge

We are starting a new year, and a shot of Taal Lake from Tagaytay Ridge at sunrise seemed like a good way to start the year.

Picture taken from Taal Vista Hotel.

Sunset on Taal Lake

Yesterday afternoon was a gloomy day in Tagaytay. Strong winds, light rain and a thin mist was the order of the day. Just before sunset, the sky cleared up and a sliver of sun light broke through making for some interesting shots.

Taal Volcano taken from Josephines

The view east from Josephines

Note: Josephines is a restaurant in Tagaytay City located West of One Destination, and a few Kilometers before Taal Vista Hotel. It has a Coffee Shop at the back and two gardens, one of which is a popular spot for wedding receptions.