balay indang

Mental block. I wanted to decongest my phone and trim my photos to at least a thousand or two only but there are too many memories and I thought it was a lot easier for me to write about if it’s just there, waiting for my story.

You see I don’t have too many friends becos they find me intimidating, snob and masungit. I don’t know where people get those impressions when in fact, I’m a lot nicer na these days. Honestly, keeping a few is a choice I made since I don’t know. I have a group of girl friends from my high school class, they are my constant in Cavite since 1986, my Goto Klab group wasn’t borne yet. During college, we went to different universities but we kept in touch thru letters (not email, ok). We don’t really see each other very often, in fact hardly that I even miss Vi and Ar’s wedding. When I landed a telecom job in 1996, one of the girlfriend was an officemate and we even shared apartment. But, while at the telecom industry I met a new set of friends which eventually became my little family back in the city. My trip to Cavite became rare and the more I lost contact with the girls from high school.

But probably when you get older, you realise that urban living is exhausting and you always look forward to visiting the hometown for some R&R. It’s like recharging all the energy lost during the weekday (spent in the city) and of course savoring home-cooked meals by Nanay. And then, you miss old friends and plan day outs with them. And despite not seeing each other for more than a year, it’s always fun and exciting seeing my girlfriends a.k.a. LEARA.

For our yearly get-together, I picked Balay Indang, also called as the The Red Ginger Farm. I haven’t been to the place despite of its proximity because it’s quite exclusive and you can’t just walk-in when you feel like eating an upscale home-cooked meal. The place actually is a garden inspired event place, B&B and resto in one. A cousin held her civil wedding here but I wasn’t invited so I made that visit to kill my curiosity and experience what’s in there. Besides my girlfriends were equally excited to explore the place.

I phoned-in for lunch because they have a sit-down buffet and I thought it was perfect while catching up with the girls. I wowed upon entry to the main house down to the dining hall. It was designed tastefully and homey and comforting. Every corner was Instagram worthy –vintage and very Asian. Apart from it, the place was very peaceful. It’s a perfect weekend get-away destination when you just want to slow down everything.

Of course, I made inquiries ahead of the food. The sit-down buffet was actually a set, menu I cannot all recall by now, except for the shrimp skewers that I cannot forget. Every single shrimp was plump and juicy and made even more tasty with mango sauce. I can actually finish a whole plate by myself so we requested this dish more than the rest of the food.

Next, Tuna Wasabi. I love its clean taste despite its heavy cream like coconut milk. I remember requesting this plate twice or thrice.

We were also served stuffed chicken, beef caldereta, ginataang papaya, a bowl of fresh garden salad, rice and a refreshing blend of dalandan juice. I actually can’t remember the dessert we had back then, maybe it was sweetened banana but I can’t really recall nor had a photo of it.

We savor the meals heartily over a good convo that we didn’t notice the time until we realise that we’re the last diner to leave the hall. We stayed after that filling and delicious lunch, we spent some time exploring the place, we took pictures, hung around a little bit more and enjoyed the beautiful surrounding. I wish I had the chance to stay overnight and wake up to a delicious breakfast. But, I think even if I have the break to do that now, it’s no longer possible becos Balay Indang already closed its doors since February of this year. They were not spared by the ongoing effect of the pandemic and I feel sorry that they have no choice but to permanently stop operations. Sigh! At least, I have these memories to recollect. ♥

Date of visit: 25 June 2017

 

BALAY INDANG

88 Mahabang Kahoy Cerca, Indang, Cavite

 

P.S. Had my second jab of Covid-19 vaccine last week, grateful to be fully vaccinated now. I got Sinovac, btw. I could have waited for another brand, a better one they say but I think the best vaccine is the one available and the one in my arm right now.

P.P.S. I’m keeping mum on things, on things happening on my back especially but I’m not sleeping on it. Btw, give credit where credit is due. Don’t just copy from the internet (just to look smarter and wittier). You can’t do it like me. 🙄 

 

la kusineros

GCQ once again. After months in modified status already the government recalls due to the surge of new cases everyday. I wonder what will happen next with the vaccine scarcity, no doubt that community immunity will take time, much more time than expected, I think. 

Felt lucky that I was still able to go out and see friends last Saturday, following a stricter guideline today. Actually, we didn’t plan it sorta instant after we visited a wake. That afternoon was a breath of fresh air, an escape from the household and a much needed time to reconnect with my high school girl friends. Literally, a happy pill and I’m grateful we’re all healthy and virus-free to date. I suggested an eatery in one of the barangays nearby the poblacion. It was another newly-opened food hub with that neighborhood vibe. I like it that there is now a line of eateries nearby tho very amateur in terms of food prep, I guess these restos are better options now. 

La Kusineros is tucked in a residential area, only that the owner was fortunate to own a big property so the dining area was designed al fresco. It was very appropriate because the new GCQ only allow outdoor dining, plus points for them. The setting was very relaxed, with decade old trees surrounding the area, you can almost hear birds chirping. The offering is mix of Mexican and Indian food –nachos, tacos, shawarma, quesadillas, burritos, kebab and biryani.

I got us nachos, tacos, shawarma, quesadillas and sodas. Amongst, it was the quesadillas that was palatable. Between the tacos and open shawarma I can’t really tell the difference. 

El Toro Taco. Soft taco shell, Shred Beef Meat, Corn, Signature Sauce/Garlic Ranch/Masala Sauce, Tomato, Cucs, Lime on the side. What we got, ground beef, tomato, cucumber, I think it’s the signature sauce, all in soft taco shell. 3 pcs per order. P99

Shawarma. Pita bread, special spiced meat, tomato, onion, cucumber, special sauce. What we got is ground beef, tomato, cucumber, signature sauce and a pita bread which is the same as their soft taco, only bigger. No onions. Btw, you have to wrap your own shawarma. P99

Nachos. I did not touch this becos this was immediately consumed by my party but IMO my neighborhood nachos at P70 is better than this (free delivery pa sa balay).

Quesadillas. It disappoints my niece (I had her a to-go) just because her standard of quesadillas was that of Army Navy and ze husband was Silantro. The most decent looking palatable for me.

Overall, the food did not disappoint neither it pleases me. It’s average at least. I think I will come back just to try their biryanis if it really is their specialty. And I hope they would generously serve sauces and cheese. 

I read some displeased customer airing their bad experience, so here’s a handful of tips to avoid being pissed off.

• pick a weekday, or if it’s the weekend try not to come during peak hours. besides it’s safer to dine when there are less people around.
• if you still please to come during peak hours, message them for table reservation (and hope that your request will be penciled) 
• don’t come at pass 5pm or later, avoid catching malaria. the mosquitos are giant and thirsty.
• get the best seat. if you really want to observe social distancing, request the small patio with long benches, generally a bit distant from other tables.
• again, they are still relatively new (just abt 3 mos) so better to manage your expectation. bring with you a good dose of patience, you will never know unless you need it.

If you need just a good place to hang out, yes a breather away from your monitors, visit the place and pretend everything is delicious. 

 

 

LA KUSINEROS 

Buna Lejos, Indang, Cavite

 

 

p.s. current situation at home, freshly made cinnamon donuts! 

p.p.s. dear wordpress, this new look is giving me headache, much more the editing end. gawd, send halp!