Crispy ‘tawilis’ with a kaffir lime aioli dip

It doesn’t seem to get too cold in Tagaytay to require layers of clothing, but it’s still a welcome change of scenery and respite from the heat in Metro Manila.

During a recent stay at Summit Ridge Tagaytay, the Robinsons hotel that has one of the best views of Taal Lake and Volcano, we left the curtains open one night and woke up to a brilliant sunrise with pinks, blues and touches of gold.

All the guest rooms have balconies that look out over the lake, so getting up at the crack of dawn to Instagram the scene is worth your while. You might even catch a glimpse of a double rainbow, like we did one afternoon.

Sisterfields is the restaurant at Summit Ridge Tagaytay offering all-day dining. — Sisterfieldsis the restaurant at Summit Ridge Tagaytay offering all-day dining.

From our room we walked 10 minutes to the nearby oval and joined the locals for jogging and brisk walking. For 30 minutes my companion and I worked up a sweat, whetting our appetites for breakfast.

Sisterfields is the newly opened all-day dining outlet at Summit Ridge; it’s painted bright white, with the natural light streaming through the glass windows on either side.

The pitched ceiling is also painted white with naïf sketches of birds of paradise and pineapples, which are widely available in the area. Incidentally, pineapple is also the universal symbol of welcome and hospitality, a fitting image for a hotel restaurant.

The food at Sisterfields, prepared by CCA (Center of Culinary Arts, Manila), is a mix of Filipino favorites and updated classics like tinapa (smoked fish) rolls and glass noodles in lumpia wrapper; fried tawilis (freshwater sardine) with a creamy dip spiked with leaves of homegrown kaffir lime; and maliputo (a relative of talakitok) and clams cooked in parchment paper (en papillote).

The restaurant recently planted an herb and vegetable garden just off the pool area, even if most of the greens used in the kitchen are supplied by farms.

Room packages

If you’re planning a trip with friends or family this holiday season, the hotel is offering room packages, dining privileges and activities for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Guests who will book on either night will have festive treats delivered to their room, unlimited cakes and coffee, cocktails and a festive dinner buffet, plus a raffle entry for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Scheduled activities include carols performed by a children’s choir, holiday photo booth and an indoor film showing with a popcorn station, hot cocoa bar and dessert corner (bibingka and puto bumbong).

There will also be a Christmas workshop corner and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus on Dec. 24, and a New Year’s Eve countdown and fireworks display on Dec. 31.