Regina Troy Barrios

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Rico's Cafe in Nena's Sanctuary

<p>Nestled among the lush greenery of <a href="https://www.nenasanctuary.com/spaces" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Nena’s Sanctuary</strong></a> in Sta. Elena, Laguna, new restaurant sensation <a href="https://www.nenasanctuary.com/dine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Rico’s Café</strong></a> offers Filipino food done with French techniques and a cool laidback vibe with a lakeside view. It all comes together for a southern escape that is good for the soul and heaven for all the senses. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370135500_DSF4295-HDR.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Rico&#x27;s Café is new, still under-the-radar, completely unforgettable | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>Getting out of the city and breathing pure fresh country air isn’t just a change of location. It’s a cellular shift, a motion within the mind, a dance for the heart. Heading out to Sta Elena, a hop, skip and a jump from the Cabuyao exit on the SLEX, may not be that far from the metro, but it feels like a whole different world.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370197582_DSF4366.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">This hidden gem is tucked inside a golf course in Laguna | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>“Don’t you feel different as soon as you enter? People come here for lunch or cocktails but they end up staying for hours,” reveals our host for the day, Frances Yu, Head of Marketing for Nena’s Sanctuary. Her colleague and co-host, Tricia Vistan, Customer Relations Director for this southern haven, tells us, “Some have said that it’s just like being in a friend’s house.” That is, if that friend is inventive, aesthetically gifted, and smart enough to let the lush greenery take center stage. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17443702420811.JPG" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Al fresco dining has never been so peaceful and chic! | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>“It’s really not that far, maybe thirty or thirty-five minutes from Makati,” observes Frances. Rico’s Café has quietly become the go-to place of the Southern set. Along with her sister Crickette Yu Tantoco and brother-in-law Donnie Tantoco, Frances was part of the teams behind Royal Subic Duty Free, Shopwise, and Joel’s Place. Frances now has the dream job of making people fall in love with everything about Nena’s Sanctuary. At present, it is home to Lake Hall, an events place inspired by a love for flowers and gardens, and Rico’s, with long-term plans to build a nontraditional retail destination. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370274603_DSF4633-HDR.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">There&#x27;s a dreamy lakeside deck perfect for private dinners—or popping the question | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>“Most people pay tribute to their parents when their parents are [already] gone, but Donnie and Crickette wanted to do that while their parents are still alive, so they can enjoy it and feel it. Nena, the mom of Donnie, she’s very artistic, beautiful and creative, and she loves flowers; she was behind Rustan’s Flower Shoppe and so this whole place is called Nena’s Sanctuary. Rico, Donnie’s dad, his big obsession is trees, reforestation. He has planted so many trees. He worked with the DENR on their reforestation program. He’s a visionary. He started Sta. Elena, started with the golf course, and then the (residential ) villages. He made all this bloom, slowly. There are now four villages here, and they are so complementary. So Donnie And Crickette call this their passion project. It is a labor of love, everything is a labor of love.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370295902_DSF4443.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Easy, understated elegance and a bar with the best pours | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><div><strong>Savor flavor and more</strong></div><p>When asked what Rico’s Café is all about, Frances proudly says, “It’s really about the experience, beyond just food. We have a tagline: “Savor soulful moments.” So when you savor the food, you also savor the company because it inspires conversations. Food is really about forging human relationships and connections, so what we want is a place where you can bond over food with a beautiful atmosphere. Diba, you feel different once you’re here?”</p><p>Tricia puts it this way: “People have told us, ‘It’s worth the drive.’”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370330781_DSF4345-HDR.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Imagine a meal cradled by trees and sky | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>The restaurant has glass doors all ‘round and even has outdoor furniture indoors, so that garden feeling is all encompassing. The menu features Filipino favorites that have been reconsidered and refreshed.</p><p>Frances explains, “The food is surprising but at the same time, familiar. If you think about the whole atmosphere, we like to think of serendipity, which means it surprises you. It’s not exotic, it’s not the kind of food that you eat just once a year. It’s [the kind of food that] brings you unexpected delight.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370356387_DSF4494.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">The bread basket has braided, croissant-shaped pandesal, pan de coco and Spanish bread | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>The focus on Filipino food is part of a larger mission. “Filipino artistry and creativity have really begun to attract the world; so at the same time, why not showcase the creativity of the Filipino chef? The service here is quintessentially Filipino: it’s easy, it’s gracious, everyone who comes here will feel special. You know how there are places where you’re afraid to laugh? Or where the servers are ignoring you? This place isn’t like that. Since there’s so much beauty around you, it’s not about people watching! It’s not stiff or pretentious. It’s very cozy.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370385902_DSF4478.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Pako Salad in sukang Iloko reduction with salted egg mousse | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><div><strong>Fino fino</strong></div><p>While the overall feeling is relaxed and inviting, the food is akin to fine dining, as it’s executed with French cooking techniques. “The overall creative director was Anthony Yupangco, who works with his brother, the architect Joey Yupangco. There was a lot of back and forth, push and pull, a tug of war in developing the menu. You know the four stages of team development? FORMING, STORMING, NORMING and PERFORMING? We had a lot of storming! Until we got to that happy balance of food that’s good for you but delicious. We kept tweaking, tweaking, tweaking.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370420403_DSF4484.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Tinapa Quiche baked in puff pastry cups, plated with salted egg mousse | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>All that tweaking resulted in menu highlights that are memorable, “crave-able “ and yet, without taking out the essence of the classics.</p><p>“There are so many good Filipino restaurants that we had to differentiate ourselves,“ elucidates Frances. “For example, the Kapampangan dish called bringhe; it’s good but quite heavy. So our version, while presented in the traditional way with banana leaves, is made with basmati rice so that it’s lighter.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370447124_DSF4529.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Lumpiang Sariwa with sweet-salty sauce | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>“Our Kare-Kare is infused with bagoong foam. Our bread basket has panaderia staples like pan de coco and Spanish bread, but they come with squid butter and Sariaya Longganiza Pâté. So they’re special but down to earth.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370460922_DSF4571.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Beef Pochero with saba, chorizo, cabbage and tomato sauce, with a side of roasted eggplant | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>The desserts are firm crowd favorites and rightfully so, as the Vargas and Tantoco clans have roots in Bacolod and Batangas respectively; regions renowned for their sweets. The panna cotta is inspired by guinataan, so it’s lighter but just as comforting and festive. Their take on Tiramisu is called TiramiSuman, made with barako coffee and unwrapped like a rice cake. The homemade ice cream is made from goat&#x27;s milk; and they are planning to introduce a food truck serving just the ice cream. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370479142_DSF4521.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Pugita Kinilaw soaked in vinegar, special spices, coconut milk and tabon-tabon. You need to preorder this dish | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>Rico’s will soon launch their rooftop bar, which they foresee will be its own dining destination, with pizza from a wood-fire oven and gourmet bar chow. </p><p>While they don’t yet have an in-house sommelier, with a sly giggle, Frances admits, “We all love to drink here, so we have chosen wines with friendly prices!”  Their cocktail list is inventive, creative and very, very tempting . </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17443705404232.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Refreshing drinks and cocktails! | Photos: JC Inocian </span></span></span></div><p>In addition to the lovely landscaping, the team philosophy behind Rico’s really was to “go beyond four walls.” Frances recalls, “We started planning during lockdown; and that’s when the value of outdoor spaces really became more mainstream. Seeing the concept become real has been so satisfying. I’m in charge of marketing but the best marketing is being done by the residents And their friends. I see the reservation sheets and seeing the same names again is so nice.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744370565403_DSF4690.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Baked Brazo de Mercedes is made Baked Alaska-style with vanilla ice cream, brazo filling, and a crunchy cornflake base | Photo: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><p>There’s a certain magic, truly, to that recipe of nature and artistry. Usually, in the writing process, transcribing notes is a rather tedious part of the process. But for this story, there was so much laughing and reminiscing during the day, that replaying the interview just revived the memories of an incredibly glorious day. The joy, the giddiness, the enthusiasm; all so real. Some stories are hard work; this one was a blessing and a gift; and now a core sensory memory. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17443706170533.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">TiramiSuman (left) and Binignit Panna Cotta | Photos: JC Inocian</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.nenasanctuary.com/dine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong>Rico’s Cafe at Nena’s Sanctuary</strong></em></a><em><strong></strong> | Txokolate Road, Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate, Santa Rosa, Laguna | Instagram: </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ricoscafeph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>@ricoscafeph</em></a><em> | Explore the menu </em><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0A-mnqyHYaUJ6tzic-ijlWfLWoiR6rz/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawJl2yhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHjcvPTHh8q6x8njHeabypcb4b-0SNtTCCiCSiazl0CkHai48cQ8G6omIhufJ_aem_V3Wi83rwDLPyxGhup4UhWg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><em>. </em></div>

<p>Nestled among the lush greenery of Nena’s Sanctuary in Sta Elena, Laguna, new restaurant sensation Rico’s Café offers Filipino food done with French techniques and a cool laidback vibe with a lakeside view. This is a southern escape that is good for the soul and heaven for the senses </p>

Nestled among the lush greenery of Nena’s Sanctuary in Sta Elena, Laguna, new restaurant sensation Rico’s Café offers Filipino food done with French techniques and a cool laidback vibe with a lakeside view. This is a southern escape that is good for the soul and heaven for the senses

HIDDEN GEM: A Serene Restaurant Surrounded By Nature Where The Food Feels Like Home

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HIDDEN GEM: A Serene Restaurant Surrounded By Nature Where The Food Feels Like Home

Leah Puyat

Published Apr 11, 2025 07:48 PM PHT

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Updated Apr 13, 2025 12:04 PM PHT

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