Farm to Table @ Restaurant Verbena, a Father’s Day Special Menu
As a couple and travel buddies for almost three years now, and having been to a number of places locally and among neighbouring countries in Asia, it would be a surprise that we haven’t really been to Tagaytay together.
It’s proximity just outside Metro Manila makes it every urban dweller’s weekend escape in Cavite for a cooler climate overseeing the Taal Volcano of its neighbouring province Batangas.
Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay
Last week, we had the opportunity to finally visit the place together and had lunch at Restaurant Verbena of Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, our host.
We started the day with a buffet breakfast at R5 (Restaurant 5 ) of Discovery Suites in Ortigas before travelling to Tagaytay.
Discovery Country Suites is a bed and breakfast hotel located along tourist-laden Tagaytay Ridge. It was a rest house that was turned into a seven-rooms suite with a country side feel.
Upon entering, the interior greets its clients with both classic furniture & a homey atmosphere. It also houses a restaurant named Verbena.
Restaurant Verbana
I think the best way to experience Tagaytay is having a perfect view of the famous Taal Lake while feeling the cool Tagaytay breeze, which you definitely have at Restaurant Verbana.
We arrived past 10am and waiting at the lobby was Chef Anthony Raymond whom we met for the first time. A friendly staff also offered a jar of refreshing pineapple with mint smoothie.
As a side trip, we went out to visit an organic farm called Old Kano. They supply most of the vegetable needs of Restaurant Verbena. The farm tour was a welcome activity for us as it has always been one of our favorite activities when we visit organic farms such as those we went to in Negros.
Sadly though, wifey forgot to bring her favorite hat and a fitting dress for the farm tour. 
Old Kano Farm Tour
The “Old Kano” organic farm is about 5 minutes ride from Discovery Country Suites.
Known for being the the pioneer on producing organic vegetables in the area, their main crops are suitable ingredients for green salad including organic lettuce, romaine, mizuna, cucumber, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, sweet basil, dill, and arugula.
They also harvest parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, mint, Italian oregano, Thai pepper, habanero pepper and cayenne.
Incorporated in the tour was an actual ‘harvesting‘ of the crops. So we uprooted some baby carrots and spinach fresh from the farm and brought it back to the hotel. It was then used as ingredients in the lunch that we had.
Father’s Day Lunch @ Restaurant Verbena
Waiting us at Restaurant Verbena was a lovely table set-up – a Father’s Day preview lunch to be exact. This special five meal course was prepared by Chef Anthony Raymond.
We started with a complimentary warm bread with three spreads – tomato and oil, chicken liver pâté, and butter. The tomato and oil was good but I still prefer the good old butter spread.
We were then served with Beer Battered Oysters and Southern Croquettes for appetiser. It’s a plate of fresh farmed oysters coated in light beer batter and golden brown seafood croquettes.
Optionally, it goes well with a bottle of cold beer and we’re having Heineken at 12 noon! lol
And for something crispy and fried, we had a serving of the croquettes. The dish looks simple but it’s actually tasty and not dry. I love that it was not too buttery nor too oily as well.
It was garnished with edible flower petals and fresh lettuce from the Old Kano farm.
And for the main course, we started with Barbecued Beef Short Ribs with roasted root vegetables on the side.
We enjoyed the short ribs as its was fork tender and juicy. The root veggies were fresh and crunchy as well.
The Grilled Lamb Ribs with honeymade coleslaw easily earned our two-thumbs up for its tender lamb meat which is beyond the usual. A bit sweet compared to pork, it was hubby’s second-favorite dish among the five.
The Carrot and Pea Rissotto with Prawns and Scallops was our winner dish with its sumptuous tiger prawns and melt-in-your-mouth Rissotto.
The peas and carrots (which we picked) were cooked just right.
We wish we had more but we started to get excited with dessert.
And finally, we ended our Father’s Day lunch with a pretty and decadent Dark Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake topped with house special, Cerveza Negra Ice Cream. Yes, they made their own ice cream.
Somehow, we felt like we still didn’t want to touch the dessert but then the ice cream starts to melt.
Ask for a cup of brewed coffee to make this dessert experience even more pleasurable.
Father’s Day Special
Restaurant Verbena‘s Father’s Day Menu is included if you book at Discovery Country Suites this Father’s Day from June 15-21, 2015. Book a Deluxe room and pay only Php8,400 nett or get a Premier room for only Php9,400 nett.
The special package includes:
- Refreshing Tagaytay Breeze welcome drink (Fresh Pineapple and Mint)
- Country breakfast for two, wine and cheese cocktails for two, & dinner for two.
- An Outdoor adventure choice of: Old Kano Farm Tour for four (4) OR an ATV Ride (2 ATV Trex for 30 minutes)
- Use of jacuzzi and broadband internet access.
Children 12 years old and below are free of charge if they are sharing the room with their parents (maximum of two kids per room). Additional Php 25,00 nett will be added for weekend and holiday bookings. Promo is valid from June 15 to 21, 2015.
Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay
00 Calamba Road, San Jose Tagaytay, Tagaytay, Philippines
Telephone: (63 2 ) 529 8172/ (63 46) 4134567
Email: dcsrsvn@discovery.com.ph.
Website: http://DiscoveryCountrySuites.com/
