For some rustic romance, Restaurant Verbena in Tagaytay offers this Valentine’s weekend a “spring menu” of light and fresh-tasting dishes which we recently sampled along with other items.
Restaurant Verbena is the in-house food outlet of Discovery Country Suites, a country-theme boutique hotel in Tagaytay popular among couples.
For years, it had been serving a his-and-hers set for Valentine’s, with a hint of aphrodisiac —oysters, caviar, foie gras—but corporate chef Anthony Raymond is doing away with this tradition and coming up with a more relaxed fare.
“We are in a country home; I want guests to have a nice time,” he said. “I don’t want them to be too full, ending up feeling heavy and lethargic, and napping in the car on the way home. It’s Valentines, c’mon!”
Lighter meals, more cuddle time, indeed.
Sea bass and steak
The Valentine special is available Feb. 13-15, along with the regular menu of contemporary country cuisine.
For starters, chef Raymond suggests having the Asparagus and Arugula Velouté, a creamy soup with bits of kesong-puti, basil oil and fried capers which gives the dish a nice salty crunch. Or, have the Red Pork Cheek Chili with chipotle, bitter chocolate scallions, sour cream and jalapeño cornbread for something spicy.
The Chilean Sea Bass Poached in Aromatic Lobster Oil is a delicate slice of sea bass on a bed of basil-and-tomato couscous, with olives, parsley purée, shellfish emulsion and microgreens.
“Poaching it in lobster oil is the idea of my sous chef, Celmar Ambida,” Anthony said. “Fish is usually served with a siding of sweet or mashed potato; but couscous is lighter, and parsley adds a peppery flavor.”
Meat choices for mains are Duck Confit Tacos in soft tortillas and Steak Frites—USDA rib-eye in bordelaise glaze with parmesan fries and truffle aioli sauce. Raymond suggests pairing these with a buttery wine such as Chardonnay.
Bistro style
The dishes highlight what’s in season for February, which is considered a spring month.
Raymond coordinated with local suppliers to work on which produce can be obtained fresh around Valentine’s, and made sure that the food would be carefully portioned and presented with a homey touch, “not too meticulous, but very straightforward bistro-style.”
He added a bit of red on the food—chilli, cherry tomatoes, edible flowers; fresh strawberry and raspberry in the desserts: Bittersweet Chocolate Pudding with crumbled walnuts, and Salted Caramel Cheesecake with raspberry coulis and candied pistachios.
Raymond explained the new offering would be in the context of local climate; February is considered a cool but non-rainy month that paves the way for summer.
It’s the first Valentine’s for Discovery Country Suites after its recent renovation. The interiors are now more modern and less woody, and the clear glass windows allow guests a refreshing view of Tagaytay and Taal Lake and Volcano.
The Home Suite Home room package is available Feb. 12-17, inclusive of a full-body massage for two, wine and cheese pairings at sundown, and breakfast (starts at P12,500++). There are seven theme rooms to choose from, including family rooms.
Verbena sits around 50, and it’s best to make a reservation.
Tel. 5298172 or 4134567; e-mail [email protected].
