Heart.
Soul.
Mind.
They define us humans. Their interconnectedness is the very
reason why our lives are complex. To survive these complexities, we must fight our own battle. Arduous and suffocating, this struggle must not
curtail us from seeking a breather… an escape…
Doing so would allow us to recharge and gain a fresh perspective especially if we were with the right company...
in a secluded oasis.
The Rustic Bistro. The name itself has created an impression which mirrors a facet of my character. This place has plenty in store.
Discovered through social media algorithm, this destination was immediately included in our bucket list. I was impressed with its marketing especially how this resto was articulately described in text giving me a vivid image. Furthermore, the impeccable language was used poetically beautiful despite in prose. I shared this with one of my best friends/colleagues and set a visit after Paradiso De Avedad in San Pablo City, Laguna. However, the planets misaligned and we failed to push through with the second reunion with two more female close friends in November 2024 succeeding our Hacienda Isabella bonding. Until a male colleague/friend, an elusive road trip companion, became available on January 28, Tuesday. Target? The Rustic Bistro.
Gorgeous vintage decors were all over the quaint house, whose size I slightly likened to the Gingerbread Cottage in Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. With four tables that could perhaps accommodate eight guests each, this is not your ordinary dining establishment wherein walk-ins could swarm particularly on weekends and peak seasons. It's advisable to send a private query so that customers would be guaranteed a spot upon their arrival. Doc Rhy, my human Waze, initiated the task to confirm that it's open and we could come.
After the rousing reception of Miss Eileen, the charming business proprietor, she endorsed us to MJ, one of their service staff.
Yippee! A European full-course lunch, a first for me, would be plated up! My heart beat wildly. I hushed it to still as we awaited for this gastronomic pampering. So, while we anticipated each course, we took our time capturing the mystic glamour of this bistro.
A few minutes before 12:00 noon, Lime Agua Fresca, our first beverage was served.
The first sip did justice to its name. We were revitalized!
Turn on the scintillating music as we craved for our hors
d'oeuvres...!
Pâté de Foie Swirls with Curry Dip, remarkably pronounced like a native French by MJ, came. A thumbs-up for the food plating!
Feeling like Master Chef judges, we began tasting this starter. Hmmmm…I like the soft crust and the chicken liver pâté’s tastiness. Not to mention the dip! The fact that it’s different from the curry that my palate is accustomed to, I enjoyed it. My clean plate said it all.
A couple of minutes ticked by. Following this, Áperitif was placed on our table. I loved the eye-catching color of this non-alcoholic beverage, concocted from rustic leaves.
Its fruity flavor, blended with the right amount of sweetness, prepared our Filipino palates for the first appetizer, Hot Tomato Soup with Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese.
The presentation made me swoon that I would want to continue admiring it and leave it untouched. Yet, I got to have this soup to warm my stomach whose morning habit is to drink a dose of caffeine, thus I also ordered this Irish coffee.
Ha.Ha.Ha.Ha! The. ignoramus. me. had. been. educated. after. having. a. taste. of. this. kind. of. beverage. *blushes* I could have just packed a sachet of three-in-one coffee and just requested for hot water. *e-laughs* Methinks, what if I consumed more than a cup of this hot drink with wine in it, would I become tipsy? unrestrained? Ahem!
Well, going back to the first appetizer... It sure wasn't a letdown. I was smitten by its intense flavor of great piquancy. A little familiar with the taste because I had it in a Mediterranean menu before, I feasted on it.
Now, we looked forward to the second appetizer.
Roasted Vegetables and Handcrafted Orange Greek Yogurt was definitely another dish to deconstruct. Instantly I saw the slices of cucumber, onions and orangey ingredient. Time to end your burning curiosity, Alice Liddell! Ting! The tanginess caught my gustation slightly off-guard. Not into sour or acidic foods, I took my time acquainting myself with it though. Silently challenging myself who has Vitamin C deficiency due to not liking this kind of taste, I rejoiced upon ingesting everything on my plate. From pa-demure to pa-deMORE! Hahahahaha…
Done with the two appetizers, we braced ourselves for our respective Entrée.
Loud and dramatic drum roll please!!!
Neromezo (Stuffed Black Pizza) for Doc Rhy…
Barbecued Beef Rib Steak with Potato and Lemon Salad and Paratha Flatbread for Miss Cristy…
And Smoked Tuna and Mussels Pesto for me…
Photo-ops with the Entrées were prioritized over our hungry stomachs the moment our orders were out. It was an almost synchronized reflexive reaction.
Finally, we sat down and partook in this main meal. Like a family, we shared each other's chosen dish. Our dining experience handed us more cherished memories as it strengthened the unique friendship which we have as Bedan educators. We lost track of time while savoring each victual. That's why even if we hadn’t fully gobbled up our pièce de résistance, we already agreed to have our dessert.
This cute-looking rum ball satisfied my sweet tooth. Felt like it melted in my mouth on my first bite. Partnered with the herbaceous Indian black tea, this treat became yummier.
A more than two hours of culinary indulgence? Whoa! I am more than willing to have a repeat... and a repeat... and a repeat! The Rustic Bistro divinely brought me into a new dimension.
From the moment it opened its doorway to us, I knew my experience would be exceptional. My deviant rebellious spirit was unleashed! The sublime satisfaction I derived wasn’t merely from the delectable and reasonably priced full course meal...
... but finding myself in a milieu where arts freely embraced me. Cooking is an art. Serving is an art. Eating is an art. Talking is an art.
Veritably, one of the standout appeals of this diner was Miss Eileen, the chef too, who's hands-on with her husband Rico. She personally conversed with us and shared interesting facts about this art and food haven. Miss Eileen is arts and topnotch hospitality incarnate! And mind you, she does this to all their guests.
After our dining odyssey, we explored the rooftop. It was another perfect location for added meaningful snaps worthy of being kept for TBT (Throwback Thursday). Shout-out to MJ’s photography skills!
Joining us in the frames were the panoramic boondocks, an ideal backdrop for travelogue magazine and prenup shoots.
As we tarried on this area, the shiver-inducing chilly wind gave us a winter vibe. Snow na lang talaga kulang! (Snow is the only one lacking!) Brrrrrr!
We left the site since we requested to see the cabin which could be rented out. Even though the shack was only cleaned and prepared when it’s booked, we were still allowed to look inside. Given that I didn’t take pictures of the interior and post them here, let me mention about the homey old-fashioned fireplace and cute loft bed. Their presence in this accommodation could certainly pique a customer's interest to lay eyes on them in actual.
We all exited the cabin's back door and found ourselves facing a wide tract of farmland where Chinese Bok Choy were grown. There, we had a glimpse of the twin peaks: Mt. Banahaw, the Holy Mountain, and Mt. Cristobal, the Devil's Mountain in Philippine folklore. Documentation resumed with them behind us.
Miss Eileen’s distinction between the two mountains made me recall my Mt. Banahaw trekking and climbing escapade with my husband in 2002 when it was still open for visitors. The date stamp on these old pix showed that our adventure in the Holy Mountain was our kind of a wedding anniversary celebration then. Weeeeeeeee!!!
Afterwards, we exchanged more pleasantries, more laughs and more details about The Rustic Bistro. We learned that some of the herbs which they had in our dishes were garden produce. Truly awesome!
Our troika could have extended our stay and jammed out with this three-person crew powerhouse (I see your moWdel pose there, Jasper! *claps*) who all exuded positive aura, but then, we had to return to Alabang before 5:30pm lest someone got a reprimand. Tee-hee!
Miss Eileen sent us off with that captivating smile which became lovelier because of the pretty dents on her cheeks. No doubt she IS part of The Rustic Bistro’s irresistible allurement.
Beyond question I'd be acquiescent to drive back up to the foot of Mt. Banahaw in Liliw, Laguna; walk the 310-meter footpath in the drizzle (or even in a heavy downpour!); brave the cold temperature; and have tousled hair anew.
Bear in mind that everything has a price. If we desire for pleasure and supreme bliss, we have to be ready to face the consequences, minor or major they may be. *winks*
Absolutely, The Rustic Bistro was instrumental in realizing our day's goal. Liberal and simple people that we are, we did not expect much from it, yet we received much more.
Personally, what really matters in life most are the intangibles... the powerful source of human happiness.
"I dreamed a dream in time gone by,
When hope was high and life, worth living
I dreamed that love would never die..."♫♬🎶
Photo and Video Credits
Ma. Cristina Lopez
Dr. Ryan M. Sicat
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