When the temperature in the city goes up, heading off to the highlands becomes a very appealing proposition. For Metro Manila folks, that’s either Tagaytay or Baguio. Well, your Happyfoodies had the pleasure of hieing off to Summit Ridge in Tagaytay for the weekend, partly to gorge on food, and to balance the weekend with some healthful activity.
Let us count the ways: an hour of badminton, an hour of yoga on Saturday, a little bit of Zumba come Sunday (pardon us as two left feet couldn’t do justice to those flashy dance moves and as far as your Happyfoodies are concerned, the booty is meant to be used as final repository of digested food, not for those impossible-to-mimic booty shakes).
Hmmm, sounds like those activities may mean we have some serious caloric deficit to make up for. While spending the weekend in Tagaytay have almost always come to mean bingeing on food (Bulalo and Crispy Pata come to mind), alcohol, and sleep (or all three for those with Bacchanalian inclinations), the C2 Classic Cuisine (C2 in short) restaurant in Summit Ridge have a more sensible alternative – a healthy menu. The idea is sans fanfare: use whole foods and cook them simply so you get to taste their healthful, wholesome goodness.
Lagal[og] says: For late risers like me, the Citrus Vinaigrette Dressed Mesclun Greens with Tropical Fruits and Nuts is a fine way to start the day — filling but not overly so. I’m not a fan of heavy cream-based dressings so the vinaigrette works for me.
Ironwulf Says: The bite-sized Tomato-Mozarella Quiche has that savory pizza goodness through that wonderfully crunchy pastry crust. I don’t think a couple of pieces would be enough for me.
Lagal[og] says: For the afternoon fare, you can’t really go wrong with the flavor-infused Rosemary Roasted Chicken. Either that or the Seared Mahi-mahi Fillet with Julienne of Bell Peppers and Pineapple Compote. Searing brings out the flavor of the fish without the oiliness of frying. I liked the touch of using brown rice cooked in chicken broth, lending extra flavor to the accompanying serving of rice.
Ironwulf Says: Among the luncheon delights, my favorites were also the Rosemary Roasted Chicken’s herb-rich flavors and the Seared Mahi-mahi Fillet’s sharp yet slightly spicy flavor mixed with the hint of sweetness from the caramelized onions. The Chicken Hainan wasn’t also far behind. I like its unadulterated taste with just the sauce lending a sweet-gingery flavor to the chicken.
Lagal[og] says: For dinner, I preferrd the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with Toasted Sesame Seeds. Not as heavy as having beef or pork since it’s dinnertime already. The chicken is lean but not bland, complemented by just the right amount of Teriyaki sauce so the dish is flavorful without being overwhelming. I also liked the Ratatouille served with it as it is oven-stewed, the veggies not overcooked so as to retain their crispness. The way the veggies were cooked plays to the strength of C2’s location as Tagaytay has plenty of produce fresh from the farms — boiling or frying them would be a disgrace to their freshness. I just wished the whole wheat pasta that came with it was a bit more softer.
Ironwulf Says: The Roasted Pork Loin with Maple Gravy with Spiced Apple Chutney was my choice for the evening. The pork was really tender and juicy but it’s the combination of the gravy and chutney that gave it a mild tang, adding piquancy to the meat. I’m just not jumping over with the whole wheat paste on the side; I thought it was too dry. The ratatouille was pleasant though.
Lagal[og] says: It’s not in the menu but the dessert, Thai Fruit Salad Compote, bears mentioning. A Thai ingredient added to the creamy (but not the traditional whipped milk-based cream) base plus coconut milk make it refreshing without being overly sweet.
The Whole Food Power Menu will be available during the summer months, March 28 – May 31, 2013. C2 has other interesting menu promotions such as the Unlimited Soup, Salad and Pasta (P299 nett, from 10am-2pm) Unlimited Coffee and Cakes (P199 nett, from 10am – 8pm daily), and Merienda Buffet (P249 nett, 2pm-6pm daily).
C2 CLASSIC CUISINE TAGAYTAY PHILIPPINES
Ground Floor of Summit Ridge Tagaytay
Km. 58 Maharlika West, General Emilio Aguinaldo Highway,
Tagaytay City • Tel. (632) 240-6888 loc. 7118
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