Choco-Late de Batirol Garden Restaurant, Baguio

Choco-Late de Batirol was one of the things that got me excited for our Baguio Trip since I’ve read a lot of positive feedback from different blogs and it was also listed as one of the must-visit places in Baguio. In fact, when we first arrived here the first thing I asked my husband’s friend’s girlfriend, Yvette, a local in Baguio, was where Choco-Late de Batirol is, and if it was far, and if it’s true that their chocolate drink and food tasted so good! She gave me a so-so response but I still wanted to try it for myself.

So the next day, we decided to take our brunch at Choco-Late de Batirol. I can feel my excitement then and it’s like I could already taste the hot & thick tsokolate on our way there. The place is a bit hard to find because it is located at a small cozy alcove hidden among the forest of Camp John Hay (near Gate 2 and Baguio Country Club).

So as not to miss this small almost-hidden cafe, keep an eye for this yellow sign along the road.

Around this café is a lush, fairytale-like garden that will bring out a mystical feeling. It reminded me of that cozy dwarf house in the fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. So we immediately took pictures around the place before finding a table.

I think the people at the back are doing tattoos.

Hubby and baby taking pictures.

Our baby Yuri.

Inside is just as good as it is outside. You will find a display of wooden artifacts and a few recycled materials used as decorations on tables, chairs, and even on their roof! And I just love its intimate & laid-back ambiance of nature.

Choco-Late de Batirol is actually the most awarded and recognized garden-restaurant in Baguio. It is a Filipino Café that specializes in hot, thick, bittersweet chocolate drinks made from Philippine-sourced cacao beans. Their chocolate drink is traditionally made by swiftly hand-stirring the tsokolate inside a batirol (copper pot) and with the use of a molinillo (wooden whisk) until you achieve a thick and frothy consistency. I would give this place a thumbs up for preserving the Philippine tradition & culture.

For our orders, my husband’s friend, Orvic, ordered the Traditional Blend whereas I ordered their Almond flavor because I’m a sucker for chocolate with nuts. My husband, however, ordered their cold batirol – the Baguio Classic flavor which he also shared with our son, Yuri.

Our baby Yuri is crying because his daddy took "his"drink for the photo. Lol.

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with my order. It had a bitter, nutty, & burnt taste. It was like they added too much roasted almonds in it. The Traditional Blend tasted better than mine. It had a distinctive, rich & strong taste. But according to my friend, the sikwate (local Cocoa) in Cebu tasted better.

Traditional Blend (P80) and Almond (P90).

Say hi to Orvic!

I also got to try their Baguio Classic cold blend and I can still taste that bittersweet flavor of the cacao and I somehow hoped that they made it a bit sweeter. My husband also described it as a champorado (chocolate porridge) shake but more of bitter and less of sweet. LOL.

Baguio Classic (Cold Batirol, P135)

Sad to say, none of the drinks we ordered met my expectation and in my opinion, not worth the price at all. We decided to skip on the pricey food items after that disappointment. This was probably because my expectation rose with all the hype on the internet and also because the taste was new to me. BUT the ambiance is what makes it something that you should not miss out when visiting Baguio. It makes a good hangout place if you just want to warm up & take a break from Baguio’s cold weather. You can also check their prices here.

I was also a bit disappointed with the waitress here because she barely smiled from the time she took our orders, to serving them, up to giving us the bill. I’m not sure if she wasn’t in the mood that day or she had issues with Bisaya customers (since we were talking in our Cebuano language while deciding what to order). Her negative aura may have caused our orders to go bad. Hmm... Just kidding.

Overall, I’d say the place is nice! I’d still suggest that you give their chocolate drink a chance though because we may not have the same taste and you might like it. But I suggest you go for the Traditional Blend to appreciate it better. And make sure to take pictures while there! They also have a cute hidden garden beside this place. Good place to take those Instagram-worthy photos.

Address:                  Igorot Park, Camp John Hay, Baguio 2600

Operating Hours:    7:30AM – 10PM EVERYDAY

Contact:                        0916 375 6510

Email:                            chocolatedebatirol@yahoo.com

Website:                       CHOCO-LATEde Batirol

Facebook:               Choco-LateDe Batirol Baguio

Instagram:               Choco-LateDe Batirol Baguio

Twitter:                    @ChocoDeBatirol

Good Taste Café and Restaurant, Baguio

Good Taste is a 24-hour operating Chinoy (Chinese-Filipino) restaurant in Baguio City that offers sumptuous, budget-friendly meals in generous servings. It is also the oldest and most popular restaurant in Baguio. It may in fact be one of the busiest restaurants in the city since the place is always jam-packed with customers. And guess what? They have 6 floors to accommodate all their loyal and new customers.

I just love this place which is why on my short visit to Baguio I had eaten at this place twice for both lunch and dinner. And even as I am writing this now, I can’t help but think “Why the hell is there no restaurant like this in Cebu??” *Sigh* So allow me this opportunity to share my experience here for the sake of those who are also planning to visit Baguio someday. You definitely have to try this place!

Photo from primer.com.ph

When my family and I first arrived in Baguio at almost 9 in the evening on the 30^th of June 2016, my husband’s friends (who are from Baguio) recommended that we have dinner at Good Taste before heading to the apartment. To be honest, I have never thought of including this place in our Itinerary. And boy was I wrong.

When we first went inside, I wasn’t too impressed with the place. It’s big & spacious, but it has no touch of fanciness at all. It’s just really simple. Looks more like a large cafeteria with plain tables and monoblock chairs (though there are a few tables with large, brown, leather couches which we specifically chose to sit). Food and beverages are also served in plastic containers. But then again, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover so I didn’t complain.

While waiting for our meal.

Photo by thekitchengoddess.blogspot.com

So since we didn’t know what to order, his friends decided to pick for us. They chose the Buttered Chicken, Good Taste Fried Rice and Lomi. I was a bit disappointed with the lomi because it tasted bland for me and not the usual lomi with the thick & creamy soup. However, the Buttered Chicken & Fried Rice was my hubby’s favorite – and mine too! The Buttered Chicken is actually their most popular dish and a must-try at this restaurant!

Serving proportions are really – and I mean REALLY – generous! Imagine, for the half order you’d get 8 pcs of chicken already. You get large cuts too! And you won’t believe how much it costs. Just P165!

Good Taste Fried Rice - P115 (Good for 6)

Lomi - P120 (Good for 3)

Buttered Chicken - P165 (Half : Good for 4)

My husband and I were so satisfied with our first experience at this laidback restaurant that we had to go back for lunch during our last day in Baguio. And once again, we ordered their Buttered Chicken and Good Taste Fried Rice. But this time we chose Birds Nest Soup for our soup, and added an order of their Lumpia Shanghai meal for our son, Yuri. I was actually impressed with their Lumpia Shanghai meal. It’s really good! And you’d get 9pcs of lumpia plus buttered vegetables on the side for only P90.

Just can't get enough of their fried rice.

Lumpia Shanghai Meal - P90

There were 9 lumpia but Yuri already ate some.

Birds Nest Soup - P145 (Good for 6)

Our son playing with his food.

They also sell pastries here such as cakes, pies, bread & a lot more. It was only here that I’ve tried one of the best tasting cream puffs ever! And on how generous they are on their meals, they are also that generous with their cream puff custard stuffing. Ooohhh.. Heaven! I really enjoyed eating this while strolling around Burnham Park.

Oh, that creamy goodness.

Here’s a website where you can find an updated list of their menu.

Happy customers.

Good Taste has definitely lived up to its name. Now I know why locals would always recommend this place to tourists. Their food tastes so good and people who dine here has undoubtedly good taste! And special thanks to my hubby’s good friends, Orvic and Yvette, for introducing this unforgettable restaurant. We're definitely coming back here when we get to visit Baguio again. :)

Address:                      Otek Corner, Carino St, Baguio City 2600 (near Burnham Park)

Operating Hours:         24 Hours (Closed: Saturdays & Sundays)

Contact:                       +63 2 443-7959

Facebook:                    Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant