When living in the south, Tagaytay almost becomes like your backyard. It’s easy to drive to, especially during weekdays when there’s less traffic and there’s a lot of places to eat and hang out whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some places are even open 24/7 if you are a bit of a night owl.
Although dinner is my favorite meal of the day, I do occasionally enjoy a big lunch when it's done right, and Balay Dako never disappoints. When friends or family from out of the country come to visit, I like to take them here for a taste of home. They do Filipino favorites so well and the staff are always great. If you’ve never been to Balay Dako, here’s a little peek at what you can expect.
First, it’s important to tackle the fact that on weekends they are packed. If you want a more peaceful experience without the long lines then I suggest you go on a weekday if possible. The parking area can get full quickly, so try and get there before the lunch hour hits. Expect to scan a QR code given at the entrance wherein you fill up some information such as the number of guests and such. Then wait for your number or name to be called and you’ll be seated either upstairs which feels like you’re on one very big balcony, or downstairs which feels like a spacious screened patio. During the ‘ber’ months, you’ll feel the cool breeze since everything is open. No need for air conditioners at all and it creates a very homely and relaxed ambience.
Now, let’s talk about the food. In all honesty, the ambiance and staff could be half as good as they are now, and I would still probably be a loyal customer because of the food alone. Although I am very grateful that the good food also comes with great service and a nice atmosphere, it makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable! Back to the food. The menu is quite extensive with a mix of Filipino and other Asian and even Spanish dishes. One thing is for sure though, all the usual Pinoy favorites are always there. For appetizers, you’ll find some beloved dishes such as Tokwa’t Baboy, Chicharon Bulaklak, Kinilaw Na Tanigue, and Lumpiang Sariwa. Of course, we cannot forget soups and vegetable dishes like Bulalo Na Baka, Sinigang, Monggo, Pinakbet, and my personal favorite Kare-Kareng Gulay.
The Kare-Kareng Gulay is made with of course a peanut puree just like any other kare-kare dish. The sauce is very smooth, rich, and delicious. Sometimes I think they should just bottle it up and sell it. The vegetables used are eggplant, string beans, heart of banana tree, Chinese cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and some silken tofu. I’m not a big Kare-Kare fan, but I always order this vegetable dish every time I dine at Balay Dako.
There are other vegetable and salad dishes to accompany your mains such as Ensaladang Mangga At Kamatis, Ensaladang Talong At Mangga, Sariwang Kangkong, and Atchara. When it comes to the mains, you will be spoilt for choice. If it’s in stock I usually try to order the Kalderetang Kambing, however, the Kalderetang Tadyang Ng Baka is just as good. There’s also Crispy Pata, Dinuguan, Lechon Manok, Bistek Tagalog, Tawilis, and many more including Inasal and Inihaw dishes. They also have a section called Lutong Tsinoy with well-known dishes like Pata Tim, Lumpiang Shanghai, Salt And Pepper Spareribs, Palabok, Pancit Luglug, and a few others.
If you have a large family or are dining with a bunch of friends, you might want to consider their set menus which are good for 10 people. They have a few choices with varying prices from around Php8,000 to about Php13,000. Sometimes it’s difficult to please everyone at the table when ordering so choosing something from the set menu could be more efficient and will surely satisfy the whole group.
We have covered appetizers and mains, so naturally it’s time to talk about everyone’s favorite part of a meal… dessert! Restaurants usually have about 4-5 choices on their menus when it comes to desserts and that is where Balay Dako differs from the rest. In true Filipino style, they have homemade sorbetes and the flavor choices are more than just the usual chocolate and ube. They have Langka, Lychee, Pineapple, Coconut, and even Sweet Corn. If ice cream is not your go-to there are other cold desserts to choose from such as Halo-halo De Leche, Banana Con Leche, and Mais Con Yelo. If cold desserts aren’t your thing and you want something that pairs well with your end-of-meal coffee you may want to try the Bibingka, Buko Pie, Palitaw, Maja Blanca, or Puto Bumbong. These are also great options for an afternoon snack if you are just making a pit stop either on the way home or during a road trip.
For drinks, they have a great selection as well, from coffees and teas, to Tsokolate De Batirol which is hot chocolate prepared in a traditional way. They also have fresh fruit shakes with a couple of flavors I rarely see in other places which are Sampalok and Guyabano. They also have a Tablea Shake and of course the Pinoy classics Sago At Gulaman and Ginumis. If you are looking for something stronger or maybe are celebrating something, they also have a list of liquors, beers, and cocktails to choose from. They have classic cocktails such as Long Island Iced Tea, Old Fashioned, and Sazerac, but I’m really more intrigued by their Signature Cocktails section which has interesting names like Marikit Daiquiri, Mestiza Caipirinha, Hermosa Whiskey Highball, Langka Mojito, and Isabela Margarita.
If you haven’t been yet, Balay Dako is open from Monday to Friday at 10AM to 9PM and 7AM to 9PM on Saturdays and Sundays. If you have the energy to wake up early on the weekends and you love a good breakfast spread, I highly suggest you check out their weekend breakfast buffet. I’m not a big breakfast person but I did try it once for the experience, and all I can say is that I did not regret waking up extra early to catch their breakfast setup. I could definitely see myself going again. Whether you go during the weekends or weekdays and no matter which meal of the day you are going for, bring your friends and family, and enjoy what this restaurant has to offer!
