Balinsasayaw Restaurant
This was one of the restaurants we planned to eat in for our second trip to Puerto Princesa. But a very tight schedule made it impossible to drop by for dinner.
So you could imagine my surprise when I passed it as I was lazily driving through Tagaytay. Being in the mood to just drive, I was planning on heading towards Stilts and wing it after.
But when my wife saw the sign after passing it, she informed me that it looked like the restaurant we had planned to visit in Palawan. With that thought in mind, and the fact that it was nearly lunch time, I ended up making a U-Turn and guiding the car in to the parking area.
Table of Contents
Directions
I you are going up to Tagaytay via the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road or through the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, take a right when you get to the top of Tagaytay. This should put you on the Tagaytay- Nasugbu Highway headed toward the direction of Nasugbu.
For those coming from the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, you should pass through the rotunda at the intersection of the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway and the Tagaytay- Nasugbu Highway.
For those taking the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, turn right at the rotunda when you get to the top. This should also put you on the Tagaytay- Nasugbu Highway.
Keep going until you reach a Petron Gasoline station at the apex of a forking road. At this point, take the left fork and keep going unit you come across the Balinsasayaw Restaurant on the right side.
Look for a Total Gasoline station as your landmark on the right. The Balinsasayaw Restaurant will be on the property right after it.
Ambiance
All the structures are mostly composed of wood. This includes the main dining area and the cabañas at the far end of the property.
And thanks to all that wood, it tends to be a bit more relaxed, especially compared to the fully cemented structures of other restaurants.
Both the main dining area and cabañas are designed in such a way as to allow air to pass through. And one of the effects is that the place feels a bit more free and not claustrophobic.
Main Dining Area
The tables and chairs in the main dining area are largely made of heavy wood. They can seat a minimum of 50 people and is covered with a somewhat high ceiling.
It is open to the sides facing the two parking lots to allow a light breeze to filter through. In the absence of a breeze, the staff will bring out a stand electric fan or two.
With Tagaytay’s typical weather, the fans should be enough, but people used to cooler temperatures may find it a bit warm during the summer.
The temperature in the evenings are much better, with a bit of fog rolling in during a rainy night. The only thing one needs to be prepared for are mosquitoes as they can be a bit persistent. Wearing long pants or applying some insect repellent should do the trick.
Cabañas
Instead of eating with other guests in the main dining room, there are cabañas that provide a little bit more privacy. With several to choose from, they can seat anywhere between six to twenty people.
Thought the waiters were very attentive to us during our visit, there weren’t that many people dining when we arrived. By the time we left, the place was beginning to fill up.
With more people and the tables spread out in several cabañas, expect a slight slow down in attention. To avoid a delay for follow up orders, like extra rice or additional dishes, I would suggest ordering as much as you can the first time around. Then when you need to add food, make sure to give it anywhere between fifteen to twenty minutes’ lead time.
While the main dining was comfortable enough with its wooden tables, chairs, and ceiling, I prefer the coziness of the cabaña. Family and friends will find the size allows more intimate interaction with one another.
It also tends to be cooler than the main dining area as the wind is able to blow through the huts much easier even though there are not electric fans here.
The lights are also a bit more cozy in the cabañas. If you look up, you will notice that the light is actually composed of multicolored bottles that add a little life to the light brown colors at night.
The mosquitoes are also active here so wearing pants or slathering some insect repellant would be a good idea.
Parking
As you enter the restaurant you’ll find ample parking in front and to the right of the main dining area.
The ground is largely made up of gravel and the slots have concrete wheel stops to help guide the vehicles and maximize the number of vehicles that can be accommodated.
The parking area can handle all sizes of vehicles, even several tourist buses. Although tall buses may need to be careful as their roofs may scrape the sign over the gate. If this happens, it should be no problem for buses to park by the side of the road in front of the property.
Food
The food was quite good and was consistent with prices in Tagatytay. And while it was a little slightly more expensive than Manila prices, it wasn’t enough to get people to compute every time they ordered. In our case, we spent a little bit under PhP 600 for two dishes and rice.
The Grilled Squid that was served to us was larger than normal. It was tender and didn’t have the consistency of rubber. The stuffing added to it being very tasty as well. The same goes for the Garlic Shrimp. The four pieces or so were big and also quite tasty. Both dishes were fresh and did not have that old fishy smell or taste to them.
Instead of ordering Garlic Fried Rice, we asked the waiter what was good. Taking his suggestion, we ordered the Balinsasayaw Rice and were very happy with it. The serving was big that we were not able to finish it. We ended up having it wrapped so we could enjoy it when at another time at home.
Interestingly, when we reheated the Balinsasayaw Rice, it tasted just as good as when we first tired it up in Tagaytay.
For those of you who prefer not to carry too much cash, you’ll be happy to know that Balinsasayaw Restaurant take major credit cards. I would suggest asking before ordering as their system might be down during your visit.
In our case, it was down when we were ordering but were pleasantly surprised to hear they got their credit card facilities running by the time our bill arrived.
Final Thoughts
It was nice to hear that the owners of Balinsasayaw Restaurant in Tagaytay, Cavite is owned by the same people with a branch in Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
During our return trip to Puerto Princesa, this was actually one of the restaurant we planned to visit. But due to a tight schedule, we had to skip it. Fortunately, we happened to come across it as we were passing through Tagaytay.
The food was very good and so was the service. Prices were very reasonable, given the taste and serving size. And we were able to pay via credit card, making it extremely convenient.
Those who are more accustomed to air conditioning may prefer to dine in the evenings when Tagaytay is much cooler, though. And those having dinner would advised to wear long pants or apply some insect repellant just in case the mosquitoes are as hungry as the people.
Till next time, keep your cameras ready, your eyes peeled, and your minds open. You never know where your next adventure will take you!
Must Dos
-
Cabaña. Photo courtesy of Travels and Resources. Get there early as the place fills up quickly.
- Order as much as you can the first time around.
- Bring a fan for breakfast, lunch, or merienda or afternoon snacks.
- Wear long pants or slap on some insect repellent for evening meals.
