Tagaytay has always been a great destination for a quick biglaan drive, more so if you are lucky enough that said drive is a lunch or dinner date. But lately traffic has gotten bad to the point that what used to be a one-hour drive has become one to two hours, with three hours being the worst case. Given this, it takes a very special restaurant to make us want to take an impromptu weekend trip up the side of Taal.
It is not every day that we hear the name Ariel Manuel in Tagaytay though. Famous for his flagship restaurant, Lolo Dad’s, when we heard that he had just opened Sinta, his take on destination fine dining, and in Tagaytay no less, we knew we had to try it.
The Drive
Sinta is located near People’s Park just at the entrance of Tagaytay City proper. It cannot be helped that your drive experience would be entirely dependent on the traffic situation. In our case, we left Makati on a Saturday at around 10am and arrived at the restaurant at 12:30pm.
The drive itself was uneventful and was typical Tagaytay fare. It involved a good mix of highway driving and provincial roads. While some parts of the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay highway had been widened, this is all but useless since it becomes a two-lane provincial road at points, resulting in some bottlenecks. Overtaking also would be impossible and improper, given the stop-go nature of the traffic on a Saturday.
That being said, the drive was still relaxed and nothing out of the ordinary. Heavy rains on the way home meant that SLEX and Skyway were backed up, and the return journey was much more tedious than the trip going there.
Parking and Accessibility
Upon arriving at Sinta, we were greeted by a nicely covered driveway that allowed for easy egress while being protected from the rain. It was a casual entryway that can accommodate all kinds of vehicles.
Parking is located in front of the restaurant on a sloped surface, the slots themselves were laid out with gravel, which provides a generally even parking surface. The slope of the slots makes for some challenge in backing your car in, because of the angle in which your car needs to back up. This being the case, the lot can accommodate any vehicle, just make sure your parking brake is engaged sufficiently to prevent any untoward incidents.
In terms of accessibility, the restaurant involves quite a bit of stairs, as the main lobby is situated on the top of a hill, with the main dining area about two floors down in terms of stairs to traverse. Thankfully, those with mobility needs can be catered to by a gondola which goes from the lobby area all the way to the lower dining areas.
Venue
Sinta is built in what used to be an observatory. The first thing you see is a spectacular, unobstructed view of the volcano from their open-air lobby. It is a sight that is definitely worth the quick selfie and snap for the ‘gram, even with the rains somewhat dampening the view of the lake.
As you make your way to the dining area, the staff showcase the various local sculptors and artists that have contributed their works to the restaurant. This includes a somewhat breathtaking inverted Taal topographical map that takes the place of a chandelier in the main dining area.
The dining area itself seats about 100-120 guests at a time, and is contemporary in design. There are amazing views from the clearly date-oriented two-seater table setups by the windows (we highly recommend reserving a window table in advance).
Sinta also features smaller function rooms, as well as an outdoor garden venue for 30-40 guests that may make for a great option for those seeking an intimate event or wedding venue.
Food Experience
The food, in a word, was fantastic. Sinta’s offerings focus on traditional western fare, but with an eye for detail rarely found in most restaurants that have been lulled into a sense of security.
For starters, we decided to go with soups, namely the double espresso soup with parmesan cheese churros and the romaine parmigiana. Both came impeccably plated, with the double espresso soup living up to its name, as it was served in two espresso cups.
For the former, taste was top notch, as both cups featured rich textures and full flavor, complemented by the sharp bite of the parmesan pastry laid over the top.
For the latter, it was a cream of lettuce and parmesan cheese soup, and unfortunately, this was the only let down of the meal for us. The first slurp was lacking a bit, and the flavors were locked behind a thorough mixing and melting of the cheese. Once these had blended, however, it was much better, leaving a fresh yet tangy taste in the mouth.
Our next dish was the classic caesar salad. This was prepared table side, but not just mixed—the dressing was emulsified table side. This meant that we had a first-hand view of the sauce being made from scratch, and it was fascinating to watch. We opted for some extra ground pepper and more of the anchovies to give it a slight salty and peppery kick, and the resulting salad was absolutely perfect.
For our mains, we opted for the moulard duck confit and the Eye of Rib Eye (medium rare). The duck had amazingly crispy skin, succulent dark meats, and foie gras fried rice on the side. It was, in a way, one of the best duck confit dishes we had tried locally—just beware the high blood pressure after. The steak we ordered was grilled to perfection; topped with its own rendered fat and simply divine.
For dessert, we went with the chocolate sampler, which, while delicious and creamy in its own way, did not stand out as much as the other items on the menu. The presentation of the dish did show just how much effort and thought was put into the dish, even if it was simpler than most of the other offerings on the menu.
All in all, Sinta’s food can easily stand toe-to-toe with other fine dining restaurants in the Metro, but it has the undeniable advantage of having an unbeatable view.
Value for Money
Our full meal cost about Php 10,000 for two people, including drinks, which may sound like a lot, but for a legitimate fine dining experience in Tagaytay, it is about par for the course. This can be lessened by not ordering drinks and opting for service water in lieu of mineral or sparkling water.
Verdict
Sinta is a restaurant that already has plus points for having an amazing view of Taal. We have been to, and have suffered, food that was subpar just to have a view like this. What sets Sinta apart is that the food is just as good as the views. As of now, it is a hidden gem, with only three tables occupied on a Saturday lunch, but we would not be surprised if it gets harder and harder to book a seat as people catch wind of this place.
If you want to impress your date, which I am sure you do since you drove all the way up here, Sinta is a restaurant you should not miss.
Score: 9/10
Travel time from Manila: 1.5-2.5 hours
Budget: Php 7,000-11,000 for two pax
Website: sintarestaurant.ph
