Mad about FOOD

         

During our most recent 5-day stay in my hometown of Olongapo/Subic, my little Bea and I spent a few days at my sister Peachy’s house in Kalayaan. One afternoon, while taking Bea on a stroll, I discovered this restaurant nestled on a side of the mountain in a rather secluded part of the residential area. I perused the menu, after which I told the waiter that we’ll come back to dine there the following day.

True to my word, Bea and I had lunch at Le Jardin the next day together with Peachy and my long-time friend, Teena. Le Jardin is the restaurant of Mountain Woods, a small resort and inn at the Subic Bay Freeport. We were all quite giddy and excited when we arrived at the place because we knew it was going to be a unique dining experience. There was a gentle breeze even at noon, and the view was very refreshing. The restaurant is overlooking a small rectangular swimming pool and a vegetable patch farther down the mountain. We decided to try the full-course lunch, which came in three sets. For the soup, we had 3 different kinds–cream of spinach, cream of carrots and cream of mushrooms. The freshness of the ingredients was really evident in the taste. The servings were quite small, but they were all good. A complimentary side of freshly-baked wheat bread and butter was also given to us and we loved it. Ummm…healthy food!

         

After the soup came the Mountain Woods garden salad with mango sauce. I haven’t been to Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay, but I imagine this is how they also serve their salads. I saw some of the resort’s staff picking vegetables and herbs down the mountain. So the salad is as fresh as it can be. This one had some kind of greens (the name escapes me), arugula leaves, those blue flower petals (I asked the food server what kind of edible flower it was and she said something like "blue cornea" but when I googled it,  I couldn’t find anything), chopped nuts and the mango dressing. My friend Teena didn’t like it, but my sister and I ate it all up. We’re certified salad girls!

         

The choices for the entree are boneless chicken flambé, grilled salmon with lemon butter sauce and beef tenderloin with mushroom gravy. We ordered all three so we could taste each one. I had the chicken, which was very flavorful and tender-juicy (hehe). It even had ham inside, like a cordon bleu, while the sauce was very tasty.  The beef was good, too, but then I always have steak at home so I didn’t find it extra-special. Besides, I had my eyes set on the salmon.

         

Now will you look at that? The mere sight of its color already had me swooning. And then I tasted it…heaven! The fish was so soft to the bite, it almost melted in my mouth. Simply seasoned and grilled to perfection, this is the star of our meal.

         

If the view and the aforementioned courses are not yet enough to entice you to try this restaurant, wait till you taste its signature dessert–the panna cotta. I’ve tasted  a few panna cottas but this, for me, is the crème de la crème–a must-try in this restaurant. Yuuuuummmmy!

         

The set meals cost P425 for the chicken and salmon, and P455 if you choose the beef as main course. The amount already includes the soup, salad and dessert. Great deal, actually.

So whether you’re looking for a place where you can propose to your girlfriend (if you live in the vicinity, that is), or a restaurant to celebrate your anniversary, or even a weekend getaway, you might want to consider Le Jardin/Mountain Woods Resort. Take it from me, the food is as wonderful as the ambience.

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