There’s nothing like a restaurant that conjures flashbacks of Sunday feasts at your Lola’s fancy home—and if you’re looking for such a place just two hours away from Manila, look no further than the newly opened My Country House in Tagaytay.
This resthouse-turned-restaurant evokes memories of weekend visits to that relative who always overprepares. Yes, that one who whips out her great-grandparents’ tastiest dishes with the best-kept recipes; that one who makes sure everyone has a great time—with our without a reason to celebrate. The vibe at My Country House is exactly that, with its huge al fresco set up adorned with rustic furniture and overlooking the spacious garden, and a bar that simply begs you to overstay.
Executive chef Arnold Gozon was tasked with translating this ambiance into the food. As such, heritage cuisine is the star here—a mix of Spanish and Filipino. Dishes that arouse a sense of celebration. Dishes that are meant to be shared—which is perfect, as most Tagaytay trotters are families or groups of friends, anyway.
The starters are sure to delight and excite you for the main attractions. I love the Seared Foie Gras Canapes—sourdough crisps topped with duck liver, served with fig jam, pineapple preserves, and sweet apple Calvados relish. Sweet, salty, and a bunch of different textures! If you like beets, order the Beets and Burrata—it’s another smorgasbord of flavors and textures: sweetness and earthiness from roasted beets, tartness from dalandan bits, saltiness and creaminess from burrata. Fresh herbs and roasted pistachios add pops to each mouthful.
For something more straightforward, the Cheese Gougères are a great choice—cheese puffs filled with parmesan, basil, and cream cheese. Of course, since My Country House serves fresh produce from their own garden, better get some salads as well. Here, salads are taken to a new level, like the Miso Bagna Cauda, which is deconstructed (fresh vegetables with a miso butter anchovy fondue) and the delicious Kale and Romaine Caesar Salad, meticulously prepared tableside.
Whether you’re celebrating something important or simply trekking down to Tagaytay, you must order the festive Chicken Relleno—sliced half chicken stuffed with olives, pimiento, and spiced sausage. It’s delicious, and the meat was juicy too! It goes really well with the Saffron Seafood Paella that comes loaded with prawns, mussels, and squid, alongside peppers, French beans, and chorizo. The rice itself has a strong seafood flavor that I love!
Perhaps the highlight of our meal was when chef Arnold brought out a whole Cochinillo, which I highly recommend that you pre-order especially for celebrations. It’s one of the best cochis I’ve had—the skin was really crispy and thin, and the meat was bursting with flavorful juices, with or without the housemade liver sauce. I wanted to eat only the healthier dishes but I couldn’t resist this suckling pig!
Another highlight was the Steak to Share, an 800-gram 21-day dry-aged bone-in US Angus rib-eye steak that comes with garlic confit, potato gratin, creamed spinach, mashed potato, and a choice of two sauces (tarragon bearnaise, merlot bordelaise, or mushroom gravy). This dish alone is enough reason to gather and meet.
If you’re with a smaller group and looking for dishes that are good for two or three, try a combination of these dishes, or all three: the Truffled Mushroom & Cheese Capelletti, which are housemade spinach mushroom dumplings with three kinds of mushrooms, cream, and a delicious pecorino foam; the Melting Salmon, a melt-in-the-mouth (literally) salmon slab with a red and white miso sauce; and the Lengua Estofado that features slow-braised ox tongue cubes (a la caldereta) topped with wild mushrooms, Spanish chorizo, green olives, potatoes, jamon serrano, and foie gras in the creamy sauce.
I love how both healthy and somewhat sinful drinks are coming out of the bar. I really enjoyed the Si Sir—a concoction of gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, cacao powder, and chocolate-orange bitters, like a chocolate Negroni—but I would also order the The Booster smoothie anytime: blueberries, bananas, strawberries, matcha, coconut milk, whey protein, and honey. Other must-tries include the Langkasuy (jackfruit, toasted cashews, tres leches), Cabana No. 8 (rum, cinnamon, toasted pineapple, mint, Thai basil, lime) and the Sangria Rojo.
For desserts, try the Classic Dark Chocolate & Pistachio Soufflé, Canonigo, and Tropical Fresh Fruit Bowl—all are good and are sure to end your meal on a delightful note.
With its delectable offerings and cozy ambiance, My Country House is sure to be Tagaytay’s next biggest dining destination. I suggest you visit soon before the crowds arrive so you can bask in its beautiful gardens and outdoor seating with a little bit of intimacy.
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My Country House
115 Pulong Sagingan Street, Maitim 2nd West, Tagaytay City
+63917.875.1154
Mon – Sun, 7:00AM – 10:00PM
Have you been to My Country House? How was your experience?
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