The Girl Behind the Pen

With so many cafes popping up everywhere, cafe-hopping is becoming the new travel adventure. From the white minimalist Scandinavian-inspired cafes to alfresco restaurants, it’s too hard to pick just one spot to visit because as a lover of food and travel, how can one be enough?

There you can feel the fresh air while sipping your hot latte with jazz (sometimes OPM) music in the background. The place is so calming that I feel time is slowing down whenever I’m there. 

And the food. Oh, the food! To me, the main star would be the Agahan Burger. Its patty is made of longganisa, giving you a twist on the ordinary snack. The burger comes with a generous serving of fries. It was like heaven in my mouth. Every bite was a treat. 

Since then, I didn’t need the menu whenever we come back. I’m just ordering the usual. And oh, their red velvet cake, too, is oh-so-good! It’s soft, smooth, moist, not too sweet, has a slight bitter taste perhaps due to cocoa but perfectly blends with its cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth — just how I like it to be. I also tried their adobo and lasagna. Both were okay. 

As for the price point, they’re a bit expensive but trust me when I say you’ll get a bang for your buck. This quiet corner of comfort maybe trending these days but I’m certain, Cafe Agapita is here to stay. 

Cafe Agapita

Address: 11 Kapitan Sayas St. Sabutan 4118 Silang, Cavite

Budget for meals: PHP 1,000 for two

Food: 8/10

Overall look: 8/10

Hospitality: 8/10

Is Cafe Agapita open now? Yes they are open

Kids allowed? Yes!

Pets allowed? Yes!

Contact information: +63 917 258 6600 | 

(046) 419-0383 | hello@cafeagapita.com

1. CLOUD 9 SIARGAO

2. MAGPUPUNGKO ROCK POOL

3. GUYAM ISLAND

4. NAKED ISLAND

5. DAKU ISLAND

6. SUGBA LAGOON

7. COCONUT ROAD

8. COCONUT ISLAND

9. MAASIN RIVER 

10. SHAKA CAFE

11. YEAH YEAH CUPSICLES

We all have that one favorite place that we always find ourselves coming back to—in my case, it's CASA San Miguel in Zambales.

If you haven't read my previous post about CASA San Miguel yet, it serves as the home of the world renowned violinist Coke Bolipata, and a community center that includes a school for the arts and music, art gallery and museum, cafe and a bed and breakfast facility. CASA also means two things: first is home, and the other is Center for the Arts in San Miguel.

Read also: CASA San Miguel: Home Away from Home

From family retreat house to community center

Hospitality at its finest

In the words of New York Times food critic Tejal Rao, "hospitality is both invisible and formidable — it surrounds you. You can find it at a rest stop on the highway, and miss it at the host stand of a fine-dining restaurant. You feel its presence, or you don’t."

Sitting under a tree with the fresh air brushing my hair, I blissfully indulged myself in some of CASA San Miguel Zambales' best-sellers, a mix of both my favorites and new ones I haven't tried. Blissfully because it was as if I was the only person in the place. The staff was making me feel comfortable from the moment I stepped into their gate to the time I went out. And this didn't even happen for the first time. When I went there in 2019, they have already impressed me.

It was the afternoon of December 12. I didn't even tell them it was my birthday that day. So I was really surprised that they remembered my special day. I thought it was going to be just another brunch day out, but my 27th birthday turned out a lot more special than I anticipated it would be, thanks to CASA San Miguel Zambales.

At CASA, I felt cared for and this is something only a few establishments have made me feel. I wouldn't mind driving 4 to 6 hours again just to get a bite of their pizza. 

CASA San Miguel Zambales

So now, I will be listing all the details you need to know about CASA and some of my food recommendations. 

Address: Evangelista St., Brgy. San Miguel 2206 San Antonio, Zambales

Budget for meals: PHP 1,000 for two

Food: 8.5/10

Overall look: 8/10

Hospitality: 11/10

Is CASA San Miguel Zambales open now? Yes they are open

Kids allowed? Yes!

Contact information: info@casasanmiguel.org | (+632) 8551 1003

Food we tried at CASA San Miguel

If you want to know my experience with their other food offerings, read this: CASA San Miguel: Home Away from Home

Apart from great food, what makes a dining experience oh-so-perfect is a kick ass view! Wyndell's Al Fresco in Tanay, Rizal gives you just that. 

Before you enter this Tanay restaurant's premises, you will be welcomed by a quaint cafe with a rooftop dining area. If you're coming from a long descent and you just want to take a quick break, there you can sip a hot coffee while enjoying the cool breeze of Tanay.

Wyndell's Al Fresco is not like any other restaurants in Tanay you'd see because it's separated into three sections: cafe, samgyupsal area, and the main dining area. So upon entering the restaurant, you'd see a rustic dining area on your left perfect for a romantic date. Just a few steps down and you'll see their samgyupsal area. But if you want to enjoy a full-blown Wyndell's experience, take the best spot in the main dining area with mountains and trees as your backdrop. Trust me when I say the view is overwhelmingly beautiful, especially during sunset. If you arrive around 5pm, the sun will touch your skin, giving you an instant glow or a warm filter for a photo op. 

This al fresco dining in Tanay, Rizal offers a wide variety of dishes, catering to those who are always on-the-go, Korean BBQ lovers, and for special celebrations. As for us, we tried some of their sandwiches, pasta, and a pizza. 

Philly Cheesestake (PHP 280)

Not the usual Philly Cheesesteak sandwich that will have you give up at 3rd bite. It's good!

BBQ Burger (PHP 350)

It's small but filling. I loved how the sweet and spicy barbecue sauce matches the sourness of the tomatoes and the double quarter pounder patties that taste just right (not too bland, not too salty).

Gamberi Aglia e Olio Pappardelle (PHP 350)

I never thought I'd like an oil-based pasta at first try! 

Basil Honey Pepperoni Pizza (PHP 350)

For the pizza, I think I expected too much though. I like the consistency but it's too sweet for a pizza, for me.

Although it's a bit pricier than other Tanay, Rizal restaurants, overall, I'm completely satisfied with my dining experience at Wyndell's Al Fresco Tanay. I'll be coming back to try their breakfast menu. Hopefully soon!

If you've ever been here or just planning to visit, let me know in the comment box below your thoughts! :)

Wyndell's Al Fresco

Ricardo's Vista del Cielo