Push Admin

New eats: Farmer's Table is your all-in-one dining destination in Tagaytay

Article (news)

Joko Magalong-De Veyra

<p>TAGAYTAY -- Breathe fresh air, be surrounded by nature, and even better, be in a place where you’re about to eat delicious comfort food. This is the proposition of the Raintree Group’s newest restaurant -- Farmer’s Table at the Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPr_rsTH4DZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPr_rsTH4DZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"></div> <div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top:8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPr_rsTH4DZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Farmer&#x27;s Table Tagaytay (@farmerstabletagaytay)</a></div></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><p>“We realize that people want to go out and this is the nearest place that people from Manila can go to, to get fresh air,” said Martin Wisniewski, one of the owners of the Raintree Group. </p><p>“Ito yung pinaka-fastest escape,” added Kalel Chan, the corporate executive chef of the Raintree Group. </p><p>Escape indeed. A place amid nature with cool breezes, foliage all-around, and decor that’s &quot;signature Raintree&quot; combining modern touches like white nipa painted ceilings to upcycled seating (repurposed from their other restaurants) to beautiful bespoke art adorning walls — it’s all at once Filipino, cozy, modern, but with that Tagaytay-country vibe.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-chefs.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Raintree Group&#x27;s Martin Wisniewski and Kalel Chan. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>A perfect setting for a wedding, or as these times permit us, a great meal. </p><p>The menu at the Farmer’s Table stays true to its name, using seasonal and mostly local ingredients in an expansive menu that includes their take on &quot;Tagaytay hits,&quot; some reimagined versions of the Raintree groups’ signature dishes, and new dishes especially made for Farmer’s Table. It’s a menu takes advantage of the obvious benefits to their location and their partnership with Nurture Wellness Village and their farms. </p><p>“Around 70-80% of the ingredients is local. Maybe found from around a 3-4-kilometer radius [of the restaurant]” Chan said. </p><p>Altogether, Farmer’s Table is positioned to be a one-stop gourmet shopping and dining destination in Tagaytay. And why not? </p><p>To eat, there’s the Garden Bistro, which has the main dining hall and the events garden terrace. For quick stops, sips and bites, there’s the Artisanal Bakery where guests can enjoy freshly made breads and pastries with juice or coffee. And for the love of pasalubong, there’s the Boutique Market which features not only Nurture Wellness signature products and local delicacies, but even a weekend pop-up store where customers can get hard to find vegetables like kale. </p><p>But like the many that I predict will visit the Farmer’s Table, this author was there for the food and that Tagaytay country fresh ambiance. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-drinks.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Whether you’re a vegetarian, or there for the traditional Tagaytay steaming bowl of bulalo, the Farmer’s Table is designed to have something for everyone. And while the menu is set to change with the changing of the seasons, this author is hopeful that when I next return (and I will), I’ll still be able to eat everything that I ate during our luncheon, especially that cauliflower-broccoli dish. </p><p>Was it the fresh air that made us eat so heartily? Our party of two devoured a whole bowl of salad, a pot of bulalo, a bowl of kale chips, turmeric rice, two desserts, and half of a bangus that was bigger than my face. How was that possible? It’s the magic of Farmer’s Table and Tagaytay. </p><p>Here’s what we had during our Farmer’s Table luncheon. </p><div><strong>1. Kale Chips &amp; Dip </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Technically, this was a snack, so it’s ideal for those visiting in the afternoon to munch on as you drink one of their smoothies. (We had the Our Signature Pineapple Kale Smoothie, available by the glass or in a pitcher). </p><p>These are kale chips done right — crispy with a tempura-like thin airy batter, to be dipped in a malunggay-basil pesto mayonnaise that tasted like a green goddess dressing with extra malunggay flavor. Also a plus, these chips held their crispiness throughout our meal. </p><div><strong>2. Plant-based Kale Caesar Salad </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>When this arrived onto our table, I doubted that we could finish it. But finish it we did, the two types of bitter greens (kale and romaine) with the different crispy textures (tofu croutons, crispy garbanzos) made for a filling salad, with the garlic lemon Tahini Caesar dressing and capers providing a savory-lemony counterpoint. Very balanced, plant-based, and a great starter! </p><div><strong>3. Hothouse Crispy Cauliflower &amp; Broccoli </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>My favorite dish in Farmer’s Table. While I’ve had crispy cauliflower slathered with buffalo sauce before, the broccoli experience was something different. Broccoli has a strong specific flavor (grassy, earthy) and it paired surprisingly well with the tangy-spicy buffalo sauce. It made every bite interesting, and I found myself trying to find the broccoli pieces in the bowl. </p><p>Chef Kalel also reveals that unlike most buffalo sauces that is enriched with butter, the Farmer’s Table version uses olive oil, and I’m thinking that’s why it works so well with the crispy fried broccoli. Best eaten when hot so you get some additional texture from the batter, but even when the batter has absorbed much of the sauce, you still get textures from the vegetables, especially the broccoli. A must-try. </p><div><strong>4. Grilled Chimichurri &amp; Sambal Giant Bangus </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-4.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Another dish that made me doubt if we could finish it. This felled us though, as we only finished half and brought the rest home. (It was delicious reheated the day after.) Grilled giant Bangus topped with two relishes, one a herbaceous refreshing chimichurri with malunggay, and the other, a fiery hot sambal with garlic and chilies. Make sure to squeeze the lime provided on top, and you’re in for a treat! The bangus stood up well to the strong flavors of both sauces, and even more interesting — we mixed the sauces at home, and that mix works well too. </p><div><strong>5. Bone Marrow Bulalo </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-5.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>What is a visit to cold Tagaytay without a bowl of bulalo? The Farmer’s Table’s version is finished on your table a la shabu-shabu hot pot. With the weather of Tagaytay (especially now with the approaching rainy season), it’s great to always be assured of a steaming hot sip of low and slow cooked bone broth especially if it’s made extra rich with bone marrow. Together with the fork-tender beef, the broth, veggies (Baguio beans, corn, and napa cabbage) and your choice of sawsawan (aged calamansi, patis), this bulalo hits the spot. Something to make you feel less guilty as you eat? Chef Kalel added gotu kola leaves to the broth, which only adds the slightest herby flavor and has great health benefits. </p><div><strong>6. Caramelized Banana &amp; Hazelnut Brioche French Toast </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-6.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>How can you go wrong with two thick pieces of French toast brioche with caramelized slices of banana and peanut brittle, set to be enjoyed with a delicious amount of whipped cream, butter, and maple syrup? Something sweet for brunch on the weekends, an afternoon snack, or a dessert! </p><div><strong>7. Mango Suman &#x27;Sushi&#x27;</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><strong><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/06/27/20210627-farmers-table-7.jpg?ext=.jpg"/> </strong><figcaption><em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>This is Chef Kalel’s version of a Thai sticky mango rice sans the coconut cream and instead, with hot Amadeo chocolate eh. Just ask the server to make the chocolate less sweet, then you can choose to use the chocolate eh as a sauce over the suman, or to sip with after bites of your sushi. </p><p>The Farmer’s Table is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For inquiries and reservations, send an email to farmerstabletagaytay@gmail.com, or visit their social media pages. </p>

<p>The menu at the Farmer’s Table that includes their take on "Tagaytay hits," some reimagined versions of the Raintree Groups’ signature dishes, and new dishes especially made for Farmer’s Table.</p>

The menu at the Farmer’s Table that includes their take on "Tagaytay hits," some reimagined versions of the Raintree Groups’ signature dishes, and new dishes especially made for Farmer’s Table.