Dining with a View at BenCab's Cafe Sabel

 

 We are regular visitors at BenCab's museum residence, whenever we are in Baguio.   My family can't let pass and say no to the maestro's art works.  The lovingly crafted art pieces and paintings in a scenic location is simply awesome.

 

On the ground floor of the museum building is Café Sabel.  The café overlooks a well kept garden with a man-made pond with a bunch of ducks. 

We ordered the house specialties and must say they really are special.  They use farm fresh ingredients, some they themselves grew. We have not had any one wrong order from their menu since we started frequenting the place.  

 

Really no better way to end your museum tour!

P.S. Don't forget to order BenCab's brewed coffee, one the best we have had in Baguio.  Sip and enjoy the view.

Café Sabel is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm (except Mondays, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day).

Please follow the link for BenCab's Museum and Café Sabel location >>>>> BenCab's Museum and Café Sabel.

See also previous reviews on BenCab's Museum and Café Sabel.
 
 

PMA Museum

 

Have you been to the PMA Museum? 

 

Well it was a must go, during our last Baguio vacation for our military wannabes kiddos.

 

The museum is small and outdated. 

 

There is a video presentation in the entrance gallery and mannequins in PMA cadet uniforms from yesteryears.

 

There is model cadet room on display, but that is just about it.  About 85% of the exhibit are photos.  Not very enticing.

 

 

 

 



My boys love  museums here and abroad, and so I was not surprised to hear my youngest quipped, "..so Ma, what happened to the rest of museum?" 

 

We were literally finished 10 minutes, right after paying the P10 entrance fee. The place needs major revamp. 

 

Our PMA Fieldtrip

 

My boys have always been fascinated with men in uniform, with my youngest wanting to be a soldier.  What better way to fuel their dreams but by bringing them to the primary military institution in the country.

 

So in our last Baguio vacation, we found ourselves on a field trip with the kiddos to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

 

 

PMA grounds has been kept pristine clean and refreshing.

 

 

Picture perfect playground with the most relaxing of atmosphere.

 

 

 

One of the highlights of our PMA trip are the model tanks and helicopters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was a bit saddened my boys did not get to see marching cadets. Although we did manage to take glimpses of cadets walking in unison - good enough, hopefully next time we will strike lucky. 

 

 

TIPS:

(a) Drop by the souvenir shops and buy PMA shirts and PMA trinkets for cool "pasalubong".

(b) Visit the PMA webpage and read its history to get better appreciation of your trip.

(c) Head off and check the PMA Museum, it may be small, but still worth the visit. 

(d) PMA is very strict on traffic rules.   Remember to cross the street using the  pedestrian lane and maintain car speed while driving.

(e) Don't wear slippers as these are not permitted inside the academy.

 

Forest House Bistro and Cafe Baguio

 

I had to make sure, that we get in, the famous Forest House Bistro and Café this time!  The last uneventful visit, when we were refused entry (since I underestimated the place and forego reservations) - was truly a bad experience. 

 

I called up Forest House and confirmed a dinner table for four. 

 

We came a little early for dinner and it was a good thing, since parking is limited and could be a nightmare if we came a little later.

 

The place was half full when we came in.  The place is intimate and nicely decorated in cottage-country home motif and lovely eye candy trinkets all over. 

 

There is a small veranda outside,

but view wasn't as terrific as I thought.  

 

 

We ordered the house specialties from L-R/T-B, Forest House wine sauced chicken, mini burgers with fries, fettuccine carbonara and baby back ribs.

 

VERDICT

AMBIANCE - Homey and relaxed, however, I was disappointed with the view. I was expecting more.  BenCab's Café Sabel has by far a more superior view and would choose Café Sabel on the basis of view alone.

 

STAFF - Nice and attentive, but service is quite slow.

 

PRICE - On the expensive side. 

 

FOOD - Good, but not exceptional.  The carrot cake that we ordered was perfect with our Forest House coffee.

 

Next time, we would probably be back for an afternoon coffee or tea, with one of their yummy deserts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revisiting Azalea Residences

 

We were so pleased with our previous stay at Azalea, so a repeat stay was an obvious no brainer.  We were back for the 2nd time for a quick last minute vacation before school officially opens.

 

I got a 1 bedroom loft via Agoda.com.  I think it was a very good deal that came with buffet breakfast. 

 

I was half-awed to see how spacious the room is.   The room is 45sq m.  It has a bedroom with a queen size bed and a sofa bed in the living room (sleeps 4 comfortably). The place is so big it can fit probably another 2-3 single beds more.

 

The room also came with 2 LCD TVs with cable (however, I find the channels were very limited) and DVD players. 

 

Like the previous room we stayed in the last time, there is a working kitchen and dining area with full size refrigerator, microwave oven. 

 

Unfortunately, the 1 bedroom loft does not offer a view.  The windows were small and too high.  Not much natural lights comes into the room. I actually find it too dimmed.  Would have loved to get a view and some fresh Baguio air.

 

 

The bathroom is clean, but has a wet wood smell.  Complimentary toiletries were just okay. Hot water was, however, near impossible to get. 

Having said that, this place is still perfect for travelling families who would like to save a few bucks by cooking their own meals instead of outside dining.  Huge rooms at very reasonable price.

TIPS: Bring lots of DVD movies for the kids to watch as the cable channels were limited. 

Le Monet Hotel - Our Family's Best Find Hotel at Camp John Hay, Baguio

To officially end summer, my husband and I decided on an impromptu last minute Baguio escape. I turned to the ever reliable Agoda.com for hotel promotions and found the perfect place for our rendezvous, the Le Monet Hotel.

 

The Le Monet Hotel is located in touristy Camp John Hay (CJH).  It may be troublesome to stay here if you will be using public transport, but CJH remains to be the best place to be at, when in Baguio. 

 

The surrounding pine trees and forest, cool climate and serene environment is what I have always loved about this city.

 

It's location makes Le Monet a more reasonably-priced alternative to expensive Camp John Hay Manor.

 



From L-R; (a) Flat TV with very good movie and children channels; (b) Our veranda with forest view; (c) Mini bar (prices not as expensive as I first thought); (d) Two huge twin beds which can fit a family of 4 comfortably


The hotel is spic and span and beautifully scented too. The carpet, linen and curtains looks newly washed.

We stayed in a deluxe twin with a forest view veranda (perfect for a cup of hot coffee or cocoa). I find the room quite small, but it has everything we needed for a comfortable stay.

From L-R Bathroom is immaculately clean (a) Separate shower with good hot and cold water; (b) A plus TV inside the bathroom, which my kiddos grew very fond of; (c) Toiletries (not much to say)  

It is truly a beautiful hotel and we love that it has a heated pool (I don't know any other hotels in Baguio with a heated pool).  Seems a bit zany, but my boys enjoyed swimming in Baguio.

Crazy boys swimming in cold Baguio City (remember to inform any of the attending staff ahead of you plan swimming so that they can pre-heat the pool, before diving in) 

Le Monet is indeed a perfect alternative to expensive Camp John Hay Manor.

 

 

 

Carlos' Pizza Restaurant Baguio

After a failed attempt to get seats at one of Baguio's favorite restaurants, Forest House Restaurant (I should have made reservations, but was too lazy to make one - DARN), we decided to try one of the restaurants at Mile Hi Center in Camp John Hay.  

So there we were, standing long-faced across Mile Hi Center after the Forest House incident.  We ended entering the first restaurant in sight - the Carlos' Pizza Restaurant!   Carlos' Pizza  is an Italian casual dining restaurant. 

My boys love pizza and pasta, so there is still hope for a successful late night dinner, after all :P


We ordered the highly recommended, chicken fingers and fries, mozzarella cheese sticks,  quattro formaggi (four cheese) pizza and my kids staple favorite pasta - carbonara, and a pitcher of ice tea.

 

VERDICT:

• Ambiance - As there were few people around (not full packed liked most restaurants in Baguio, hehehe...) we truly enjoyed the warm and fast service. The place maybe casual, but service was first class.
• Price - Reasonable; Serving is hefty, more than enough for my hungry kiddos and hubbby.
• Food - The four cheese pizza is must.  My husband hogged the entire pizza pan, I literally had to use my charm to get a piece. The carbonara was also delicious - but I would have chosen another house specialty, if not for my kid's love for carbonara.  The chicken fingers and mozzarella cheese sticks were also very good.

Do try Carlos' Pizza in your next trip to Baguio.

 

Ridgewood Residence Baguio (our little Camp John Hay Manor)

 

I was on a hunt for a last minute decent, but affordable hotel accommodation in Baguio on a Holy Week and saw this small boutique hotel via Asia Travel.  Ridgewood Residence's price was perfect for our budget.

 

There were mixed reviews (both good and bad) in the net, but given the price (which was a major consideration) and the difficulty of looking for an alternative hotel on a Holy Week, I don't think I can really be choosy now, can I? 

From Top (L-R), (a) Ridgewood signage, (b) hotel view form the drive way, (c) Ridgewood's walk-in garden and (d) my boys cozily seating by the receiving area.

From Top to Bottom (L-R), (a) clean basic bath, (b) generous toiletries supply and (c) my youngest doing his famous bed test :P 



From L-R (Top to Bottom), (a) Dining interiors, (b) buffet breakfast set-up, (c) fresh fruits and (d) my boys ready for breakfast 

Ridgewood Residences is akin to a mini-Camp John Hay Manor (CJHM) in looks.  It has a rustic ambiance to it, transporting guests back to the old Baguio I used to know. 

This hotel is tucked a few minutes away, Baguio City proper.
This may be difficult for those, without personal transportation (although taxi is not at all difficult to find), but for us, this was an opportunity to really get to enjoy Baguio's beauty away from the crowd and pollution.   

The hotel also has one of most attentive and amiable personnel, I have met, which gives the feel you are staying in your own vacation home.

The choices for the complimentary buffet breakfast were limited, but these were very delicious (well, the fact that breakfast was served by cordial staff spelled the difference).

If you are looking for cozy-homey hotel in Baguio City, Ridgewood Residence may be the hotel for you.

Ridgewood Residences is located at #17 Julian Felipe St., Brgy. Lualhati, Baguio City. 

For inquiries you may call their Manila Office at (632) 299-6411 or through mobile (632) 299-6411.


Notes: 
(a) The deluxe room may be a little small for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids, I would suggest you get an extra bed or book a bigger room.

(b) The rooms are not air-conditioned, but you wont need any (just open the veranda windows and feel Baguio's magic).

 

Shopping Time Again @ Mines View Park Baguio

 

Others might say, you may skip a trip to Mines View Park in your Baguio itinerary. The view from the top of the ridge used to be spectacular - well at least that was how I remembered it as a child.  Nowadays the view was quite disappointing ~ deforested mountain ridges and houses mushrooming all over the mountain sides. 

 

 However, it was a must for my little kiddos ~ as this was there first time in Baguio. 

I wanted them to see first hand the Mines View Park experience.

 

 

We started with strawberry flavored taho. The boys actually liked it.

Pretty soon, they'll be changing the name of the park to Houses View Park!

Ofcourse a picture taking with one of the beautifully geared up horses.  Oh, I had one too, on my first trip to Mines View. 

 

 

 

The boys insisted on renting binoculars! 

Souvenir shops now highlights the Mines View Park visit ~ you will find here Baguio native produce/products.  It is actually cheaper to get pasalubong from the market, but if you have limited time and will not be buying that many, you will never run out of pasalubong ideas in Mines View Park tiangge. 

My boy - checking out the goods! I guess wondering what to buy :P

 

Word of advice:  If you are buying Good Shepherd products please get them directly from Good Shepherd convent which is located a few meters west of the park.

Ibay's is located just outside the park.  You can get here good quality silver jewelries which are actually 10%-20% cheaper than the ones sold in Manila.

Burnham Park Baguio

 

 

Burnham Park still is the best place for your kids to mingle and socialize with other children when in Baguio.

 

There are lots of activities for your tots to enjoy and do!!!

 

(1) Race your kiddos on rented Bikes

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Do sight seeing and take tons on pictures

 

 

(3) Take a leisurely boat ride at the Burnham Lagoon 

(get a boatman to enjoy the ride more) 

 

 

 

(4) Get a book, sit under one of the pine trees while the kids roam the playground.

 

 

 

You need not spend a gazillion to have fun-quality time with your kids.    

Fruits in Ice Cream (FIC) - Brrrr!!!!

 

Crazy peeps would go to Baguio and order ice cream for an early morning dessert!!!

 

Yup!  We went a little crazy, forgot we were in Baguio and that it was freezing cold - when we ordered two ice cream pints FIC's (2 pints for 2 adults and 2 kids - so silly, what were we thinking?) . 

 

Oh we ordered mango and strawberry flavors and they were so creamy, we were liking it until we started shivering a little...and getting brain freeze... then finally decided to stop!

 

 

 

Note to self: Ice cream in Baguio - bad idea!!!

 

Incase you don't believe me: 

FIC is located in Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay 

 

Baguio Itinerary (3D/2N)

We have always wanted to do a road trip to Northern Luzon with the kiddos. 

The plan was a 3D/2N stay in Baguio as an entry point to our 3D/2N stay in Vigan. 

We could pushed further North, but the traffic exodus out of Manila on a Holy Week was just unbearable.

The first phase of our trip up North is Baguio City. The summer capital of the Philippines.  I was seven (7) months pregnant with my second son, when we last visited Baguio and my second son is now 4 years old.  It has been that long and I was quite excited to go back.

As this was just a 3D/2N trip and with kids, we had to plan in advance on where to stay and what to do, to make the most of our Baguio visit. We also had to skip some of the usuals in our agenda for a more child friendly itinerary.

Day 1 (Holy Tuesday)

• 5am   - left for Baguio (the plan was to reach Isdaan in Gerona Tarlac for breakfast)
• 10am - Isdaan sa Gerona Tarlac - arrived an hour later than expected. We were tempted to grab a quick fastfood bite in NLEX.  It was a good thing we have emergency baon (ham and cheese sandwiches and boiled eggs).  Isdaan was so worth the wait and a must stopover if you are heading North.
• 1pm   - reached Baguio City, but took another 30minutes to locate Azalea Residences our accommodation for Baguio Day 1.  We rested a while and headed to the first item in our agenda.  We decided to leave our car in Azalea and took a taxi. 
• 3pm - Baguio Cathedral - Our Lady of Atonement (It is Holy Week after all)
• 4pm - Burnham Park (this is a must in your itinerary if you have kids).  Suggested activities: (1) Burnham Park Lagoon boat ride (I remember riding one of these boats with my siblings as a child, those were happy memories and I hope my kids remember this day also as special); (2) Biking (although the bike seats were quite hard and there were so many people, it was near impossible not to bump against other tourists); (3) Burnham Park Playground (entrance is free but my kids enjoined this activity the most). 
• 6pm - Good Taste for take out dinner.  Our boatman recommended the place and says its delicious and price reasonable.  
• Back to base :P  (Tomorrow is another busy day)! 

Day 2 (Holy Wednesday)

• 8am - Hotel Breakfast
• 9am - Mines View Park, while there we stopped by Good Shepherd (best buys: ube and jam) and Ibay's Silver Shop (best buys: jewelries cheaper than in Manila although styles/choices quite limited).  Other good buys in Baguio are the native brooms (lasts longer than the ones sold in Manila) and farm produce (however, since we are still heading to Vigan - I can't buy any :( ). 
• 10am - Back to Azalea Residences for early check out (our Day 2 accommodation is at Camp John Hay Manor)
• 11am - Ben-Cab Museum Tour and Lunch at Cafe Sabel.
• 2pm - Check in at Camp John Hay Manor (CJHM).  Freshened a bit and then roamed around CJHM's grounds. For the Holy Week, CJHM, had stationed a play ground, a butterfly sanctuary, mini zoo and an artist corner for kids to enjoy.
• 6pm - Cafe Batirol for dinner
• 7pm - Back to base

Day 3 (Maundy Thursday)

• 8am - Breakfast at Little John's then Fruits in Ice Cream (FIC) for dessert (we were nuts and ordered ice cream - I nearly froze finishing my ice cream).
• 9am -  Roamed CJHM grounds once more
• 10am - Early check out (Head off to Vigan)

Places we missed in last Baguio Itinerary:

(1) Tam-Awan Village - it was a choice between Tam-Awan and Ben-Cab, since we have been to Tam-Awan before Ben-Cab museum was the winner by default.
(2) Oh-My-Gulay - The ambience and art works that adorned this restaurant is a must for first timers in Baguio.  We should have just gone here instead of Good Taste!  Oh-My-Gulay is a complete experience!
(3) Cafe by the Ruins
(4) A leisure walk along Session Road (not a good idea if you are vacationing with kids)

See also Part 2 of our North Luzon road trip - Vigan Itinerary (3D/2N).

LITTLE JOHN's at Camp John Hay Mile Hi

 

I have always loved Little John's at Mile Hi in Camp John Hay.

 

I was there again last Holy Week with my family for breakfast... and I must say, this restaurant never fails to impress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The walls is decorate with drawings and doodles of  customers on the paper table mat and assorted colored crayons the store provides.

 

Real cool way to keep your tots busy while waiting for their orders.   

Omelette comes with one of the BESTEST bread I have tasted!  

 

 

My tapa meal equally delicious.

 

 

Must come back!!!!

Good Taste - really?

We were navigating the Burnham Park Lagoon, when we realized it was almost lunch time. The boys were growing hungry and towing hungry kiddos is not a very pleasant sight.  We asked our boatman for restaurant referrals and we were directed to

Good Taste Restaurant. 

Good Taste Restaurant is located Lapu Lapu St., Baguio City

and is about a 10 minutes walk from the park, but my kids were too tired to walk so we ended getting a cab. 

There is a display bar for cakes and sweets. 

It wasn't as we have imagined, it was a fast food Chinese restaurant.  We were looking for some fine ambiance, where we can laze around as we eat lunch and relax

The place is busy and noisy.  Staff were all over the place like robots - none smiling, they were just serving...(I guess they are tired)! 

As the place was half-packed  with starving guests and my boys were exhausted from our Burnham Park day out, we decided to order take out and just have lunch in the comfort of our Azalea Residences hotel room.

We ordered take out pancit, fried chicken, chopsuey and yang chao fried rice.  Servings was obviously hefty and quite affordable I should say.

Where is my order?

Food is not good as we were expecting.  Chopsuey was over cooked, chicken was bland, pre-packed ready to cook pancit tasted better than the one they served us  (and I love pansit) and the Yang chow - hmnn... was different.  Not really sure if I had my orders all wrong or we were just being picky.

Good Taste was definitely cheap ~  if it is your birthday and you are paying for a huge group,  you could save tons by dining here! 

But I honesty can't say it is good tasting. 

We would definitely skip this one in our next Baguio visit.

 

What happened to my CHOCO-LATE Batirol?

I was so excited, when I finally saw the signage heading to my favorite choco-late shop in Baguio ~ CHOCO-LATE de Batirol. 

I remembered the first time I went there as a newly wed (with my hubby)... I so LOVE the old fashioned way they make their choco-late! 

It was an absolute MUST in our agenda, in our last Baguio visit.

 

 

We were led into a semi-private seating and I began going through the menu, as I try to recall my favorite orders from our past visits.

 

On the top of our order list is the famous cocoa drink for my hubby and myself and choco-banana for the kids.  Since it was almost dinner, we ordered an all-day tocino breakfast meal for my eldest son and chopsuey meal with steamed rice for sharing for hubby and me.

The chocolate was exactly as I remembered - rich and creamy (delicious)! Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the chopsuey and breakfast meal I ordered.   The chopsuey was overcooked and the breakfast tocino tasted like an over the counter tocino bought from SM.    As for the choco-banana, my kids sipped a little and left the rest. I was so disappointed.

I was more shocked to learn, we have to shell out P1000 for 4 drinks, an all day breakfast meal, chopsuey and steamed rice.  Really not worth it. 

I so wonder what went wrong...is it me?  Maybe I've set the bar too high! Haizz...

Next time,  I will just order the hot choco!  For a decent meal for half the price, I would simply head straight to Mile Hi just a few blocks away.

A Charming Country Styled Hotel called Camp John Hay Manor

I have always wanted to stay at Camp John Hay Manor (CJHM) eversince I can remember.  I wanted to see first hand what so many, have been raving about. 

That opportunity finally came last Holy Week, when my family decided to do a North Luzon road trip, with a Baguio stop over before heading to Vigan.

As I was welcomed to the hotel's elegantly designed lobby - I began to see why travellers fall in love with CJHM and keeps coming back. 
 

CJHM carries with it, the charm and allure of old Baguio.

The hotel interiors ~ beautiful!

My boy doing the usual bed test!!!

 

 

Bath spic and span as expected!

 

 



Well stocked minibar. Prices surprisingy lower than what I expected.



We stayed in a forest view room, despite recommendations from bloggers to get a room with the garden view. 

I have not seen the garden at night  (although I can attest to its beauty in the morning) so I would not be able to compare, but I confess to falling in love to the tranquility of the night and spent hours looking at and smelling the pines. 

The forest view room we stayed at is located away from the lounge area near the hotel's garden (but I could hear some loud music from the hotel lobby vibrating through our room walls until almost sleeping time) I could just imagine, how loud it might have been for those with rooms facing the garden. 

 



Oh yeah, more jumping!!!



 

Loved the seating in the balcony, just perfect for an after dineer coffee with hubby as the kids cozy themselves  watching tv.

 

Price is quite steep compared to other Baguio accommodations, but a night stay is really worth it.