Baguio's Best: Chaya x Lemon and Olives

Its been a while since we last drove up to Baguio and this time around, we had a toddler in tow to consider when looking for a hotel to stay in and restaurants to try. Our first choice was The Manor but it was full so we stayed in the nearby Le Monet Hotel. It was my first time to book there and it was disappointing given that the room we stayed in was not maintained properly (holes in the bedding, carpet stains, etc.) and there was no air-conditioning! I know Baguio's weather is cooler compared to Manila but it can also get pretty hot especially during day time so I can't imagine how it is during summer time - good thing we were there on a gloomy August weekend.

We had a chance to go back to Chaya, our no. 1 favorite restaurant in Baguio!

Location is still the same but they now offer a bigger dining area compared to our last visit a few years back. Menu also became quite extensive but still delicious, affordable, and served in generous servings. We were so happy to be back in Chaya! Even our daughter loved the food that we ordered for her - kani and tamago sushi.

Spicy Tuna Salad - Php320 (half serving)

Chirashi - Php490.00

 

~o~o~o~

 

Chaya Restaurant

72 Legarda Road, Baguio City
Benguet, Philippines

Tel.: (6374) 424-4726

Pita and Hummus - Php130.00

 

Now, this restaurant is our new discovery being on the list of highly recommended restaurants to try when in Baguio. Though Lemon and Olives has been around since 2017, this was our first time here and I must say that the food, the ambiance, and the service were impressive. Staff were courteous and friendly and the food were superb! I wanted to try a few more other dishes but servings were big enough for sharing so maybe next time. 

 

If only Lemon and Olives is an hour drive, we'd probably dine here every week! I can imagine spending our lazy Sunday lunches here with our daughter who's a sweetheart and tries everything Mama and Dada puts in her plate. We definitely have a foodie in the making!

Cucumber & Yogurt Drink

Lamb Rack - Php990.00

Pork Greek Kebab - Php300.00

Greek Yogurt - Php150.00

~o~o~o~

Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna

26 Outlook Drive, Baguio City
Benguet, Philippines

Tel.: (6374) 442-4079

Baguio Eats: Chaya Contemporary Japanese Cuisine

It was past two in the afternoon when we finally arrived in Baguio City after driving for about 5 hours, thanks to the newly-opened and free of charge (still on soft opening then) Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway that connects Central to Northern Luzon and significantly cuts down the travel time from Manila for about 30%.

After checking-in at Jack's Grand View Hotel, we went out to look for a place to eat. We had breakfast on the road courtesy of Coffee Bean but our tummies were looking for something heavier than Bagels and Croissants. Then I recalled bookmarking some restaurants I wanted for us to try on our short stay in the city on my phone.

First stop was Chaya Japanese Restaurant, the best in the whole of Baguio so I've heard.

The restaurant is basically a home that was converted into one of the most-visited restaurants in the city. We actually had a hard time looking for it since Globe's connection was so slow that we can barely get a decent update on my phone's map. Just as we were about to give up, we saw the logo hanging amongst the trees on our second attempt driving thru Legarda Road.

On the table

The place was packed mostly with tourists that we waited for forty minutes or so before a table became available. We chose to dine al fresco to really feel the Baguio breeze I've been hearing on the news since the holidays.

Our late lunch started with this complimentary Tuna appetizer and some pickled papaya.

Then our orders started coming out one by one as if teasing our eyes with the gorgeous presentation and our even more growling stomachs.

Futo Maki (Half) - Php220.00

Any Japanese meal of ours in not complete without a plate of Futo Maki on the table. Good thing we only ordered half since they were very generous with their servings!

Temaki Sushi - Php600.00

The much-raved Temaki Sushi instantly became the star of the table the moment it was laid in front of us. With huge slices of fresh Salmon and Tuna Sashimi, Crabsticks, Egg (Tamago) and Cucumber, you'll definitely enjoy rolling and inventing your own sushi!

Hiyashi Chuka - Php300.00

Last to arrive was my Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Noodles with Fresh Vegetables and Pork Chashu) in a huge plate that I had doubts if we can finish all our orders! But as expected, a good 30 minutes passed and everything was wiped down to the last piece. 

Yes, we're really a great tandem when it comes to Japanese food!

As soon as we got the bill, the staff gave us this complimentary Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream with Red Beans for dessert. I was already shivering from the cold weather since I left my jacket in the car but it was too good to pass!

My motto for this year: The perfect vacation always starts with good planning and delicious food!

~o~o~o~

Chaya Restaurant

72 Legarda Road, Baguio City
Benguet, Philippines

Tel.: (6374) 424-4726

A Chilly Weekend in Baguio City

Baguio has and will always have a special place in my heart. Blame it on the cold weather, the bittersweet cup of hot chocolate at Choco-late de Batirol, the great finds at the ukay-ukay along Burnham Park, the freshly-baked Walnut Bread from The Manor, the sweet and plump fresh strawberries or just walking around the city in my leather boots with matching scarf. *wink*

So when we got the chance to travel to the City of Pines right after the holidays, I instantly became the happiest girl on the planet! It's like going home to my first love, or in my case, going home with my one true love. It was indeed the perfect way to welcome the New Year before plunging back into the realities of life aka work and school . Enjoy the photos for now, blog posts to follow.