Mi Casa es Su… Casa San Pablo

One of the more memorable weekends of 2007 was spent at Casa San Pablo, April 8.  Casa San Pablo is your sanctuary at the outskirts of Manila –your home away from home.  Passionate art collector Boots Alcantara, who we briefly met during our stay, owns the secured quarters amidst pine trees, sprawling lawns, and different petite multiplexes.

The country-inn is a good jump off point for Viaje del Sol –which is San Pablo’s local art and culture tour in the sphere of Laguna and Quezon.  Part of the Viaje del Sol tour of this historical part of NCR are Patis Tesoro’s Kusina Salud, Carlo’s workshop, Patio Verde, Villa Escudero, Ugu Bigyan’s Café and Jay’s Kinabuhayan Café. 

After checking in at Casa San Pablo, we had a hefty lunch at Kinabuhayan Café owned by Jay Herrera.  Interestingly, Jay’s house is simply designed, with very few walls, even the living room is open air.  There is a tree house at their porch.  It was minimalistic in a native way.  Dining at Kinabuhayan Café is an experience in itself as you dine al fresco style on a table perched against a tree.  One plate costs PHP 500 (PHP 1,000 per couple) and you get served the dish of the day –or whatever Jay feels like cooking on that day.  On our plate was a huge serving of aromatic rice, spicy herb chicken and greens.  The greens had some miniature flowers in it.  Jay said it was edible so we had our first taste of edible flowers.  Everything on the plate was delectable, especially the chicken!  We had the best spiced-chicken our taste buds ever savored in this lifetime.  I tried to make my own spiced-chicken at home but I simply cannot re-create a master’s creation or even come any close to it.  (Hats off to you Jay!!!)

Halfway through the plate I was already full, but I still managed to finish everything in front of me.  We were served with Laguna hot chocolate with pinipig and it was just the right drink to cap our yummy meal.

We exchanged stories with Jay and Jay’s trusted right hand, Winston.  We also played with Jay’s cute dogs.  They offered us shots of lambanog.  I looked at Bubba’s face when he downed it so I declined.  However, since nothing has disappointed me yet, I conceded.  The lambanog was whopping strong!!!  It got me wired right after that one shot.

Jay was really kind to offer us a trip to Kubli Spring.  Winston accompanied us to the spring and even treated us to a round of cold beer.  Winston shared stories about Laguna and the people there.  Bubba and Winston played the guitar while we took in the beauty of the afternoon and enjoyed our sound trip.  Since the Kubli Spring visit wasn’t planned, we didn’t have any other clothes with us.  Yet that didn’t stop us from taking a dip.

After that lovely afternoon at the Spring, we went back to Casa San Pablo to bathe and rest.

Casa San Pablo has that homey rustic ambience.  Each room was uniquely designed as Boots Alcantara showcases different works of art.  The room we had was quite small but it didn’t cramp our accommodation.  The AC was working perfectly; the bed and bathroom were clean as a whistle.  There was no TV unit in the room, only a couple of good books on the bedside table, which made this a secluded and relaxed weekend. 

That night, we planned to go back to Jay’s for dinner but unfortunately since we don’t know how to get there at night, we were advised to eat somewhere nearer to avoid getting lost.  We went to Kusina Salud, unfortunately they were already closing by the time we got there at 8pm.  We managed to find a grill restaurant nearby that had a fascinating landscape.

The next morning, we had the Casa San Pablo breakfast of the local corned beef, egg, garlic rice and longganisa. We also had drink all you can hot chocolate with pinipig.  Breakfast at San Pablo felt like eating in front of a beautiful painting.  The food was good and eating a table of good Pinoy breakfast with the view of the garden was something you’d want to wake up early for every day.

Directions:  From Manila, after the San Pablo border, stay on the Maharlika Highway. You will see a Caltex station to the left, right before a fork in the highway. The right side of the fork heads straight to Lucena, the left leads to San Pablo city. Take the left road, this is Colago Ave. Watch for the Community Hospital on your left. Shortly after the hospital, to the right, is Kay Inay Resort. Turn into the resort gate, Casa San Pablo is inside.
 

For Reservations: Prior reservations must be made. Please call 0917-8126687. 

Casa San Pablo Album

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