MANILA, Philippines—Through the years, more and more urban dwellers have chosen to live and stay in Tagaytay. Its proximity to the city and idyllic setting makes it the perfect home. Envisioned to be a relaxing haven, Serin Tagaytay is Avida’s first project in a leisure destination.

The mixed-use, integrated residential development is designed to evoke the quaint and quiet charm of Tagaytay, making it the ideal home for weekenders, families and retirees.

For these Tagaytay residents, looking for the best dining spots is just as important as looking for their dream home. With that in mind, Avida Land brought its unique food challenge, “Avida Food Hunt,” to Tagaytay.

San Antonio Pizzeria’s bestselling pizza. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Comprised of four stops, guests were treated to an epicurean feast as they are made to discover new and exciting food finds in the country’s most popular weekend destination. This edition of the Food Hunt is every inch an exploration.

Featuring new and undiscovered restaurants and cafes, the Serin Tagaytay Food Hunt goes beyond The Ridge and into the businesses tucked away from the center of Tagaytay, giving the guests the full experience of what it feels like to live and dine like a Tagaytay resident.

San Antonio Pizzeria

The food adventure starts at San Antonio Pizzeria, ran by Rogationist priests headed by Fr. Rene Ramirez, who studied and lived in Italy for several years.

The Rogate Center put up San Antonio Café, a small café that served coffee and pastries in 2012. In December 2013, they expanded and opened San Antonio Pizzeria which favors the authentic wood-smoked, stone-baked Roman style pizza (pizza Romano). Pizzas are freshly baked made from homemade dough and herbs taken from the priests’ garden; wood is also from the trees around the property.

Nurture Wellness Restaurant’s fresh picks at the Salad Bar. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

There is a humanitarian touch to the way San Antonio Pizzeria operates. Located within the 12-hectare Rogate compound is St Anthony’s Boys Village, an orphanage that shelters abandoned and battered children. Every Tuesday night, the priests serve pizza to the kids as thanksgiving to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost and stolen articles. Guests can also tour the small workshop where the locals make the saints’ images.

Nurture Wellness Village

The second stop is at Nurture Wellness Village. Nurture has always been a Tagaytay must-visit, but with the opening of their new restaurant wing called ‘Gabriela’, health enthusiasts will have something new to enjoy and look forward to. Featuring a new salad and herb garden, guests can pick their ingredients and have it served fresh.

Owner Cathy Turvill is part of the Tagaytay Tourism Board and Tagaytay Business Club and as such knows a lot about eating healthy like a true Tagaytay local. Located in Magallanes Drive, the whole stretch of Nurture Wellness Village features a restaurant, farm and spa which make for a perfectly relaxing respite from big city worries while sampling these staples in their menu: Fresh Salad & Tea, Chicken Arroz Caldo, and assorted Filipino rice cakes.

Lime & Basil

The third destination is Lime & Basil, a Thai restaurant located in Alfonso, Cavite established in 2012 by owner and head chef Sigrid Sarmiento, who is a proud Tagaytay resident.

Open from Thursday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 9 pm, Lime & Basil offers a casual, relaxed Asian dining experience with a homey feel since guests can tour and walk around the herb and vegetable garden. Head chef Sarmiento also orders spices and ingredients from Thailand to give Lime & Basil dishes its signature authentic Thai flavor. Customer favorites are Fresh Spring Rolls (P240), Pad See Iew (P260), Sate Chicken (P230) and Tanglad Juice.

Café Carmencita

The final stop is at Café Carmencita, owned by the husband and wife team of Gerry and Kathleen Manzano. Named after Gerry’s mom Carmencita, this bakeshop and restaurant puts you at ease with its homey family dining vibe. Established in October 2013, Café Carmencita is actually a family house with a built-in café that serves gastronomic delights with a home cooked stamp.

Café Carmencita is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 8 pm and from Friday to Sunday, 10 am to 10 pm. Bestsellers are Salted Caramel Cheesecake (P150), Turtle Pie (P125), Roast Beef served with rice or bread (P350), all best accompanied by a tall glass of Fresh Dalandan Juice or the local barako coffee.

Beyond the picturesque view of Taal Volcano and the Batangas mountain range in the horizon, Serin Tagaytay homeowners are in for a lot more, particularly the food attractions and options from Tagaytay’s new and waiting-to-be-discovered restaurants that offer farm-to-table dining with fresh and organic produce grown from their own farms and gardens.

To know more about Serin Tagaytay, just visit avidaland.com, call 848-5200 or drop by the Info Center along Nasugbu-Tagaytay Highway or the Glorietta Showroom (2/F, Glorietta 4).

About Avida Land

An Ayala Land Inc. (Ali) subsidiary, Avida Land provides thoughtfully-designed homes in secure communities that offer value for money and convenience all within reach. With the five pillars of accessibility, unique features and amenities, quality assurance, stress free buying and relaxing living experience integrated in all its condominium and house and lot properties, Avida Land has become the developer of choice among the rising middle class as it continues to expand its product offerings across the country.