Salubong dinner in Antonio's

August 25, 2013 Sunday

We were already at the Sta. Rosa- Tagaytay Road when we remembered to call Antonio’s to reserve a table. The woman, Liezel, reminded me that the dress code is smart casual.
I sent Edmund a text message informing him that our dinner reservation is at 7:30 pm. I saw his reply after an hour “Hala! Wla ako shoes dala”.

Edmund arrived at the Taal Vista Lodge at 5:30 pm. We rested for a while and left the hotel at 7:15 pm for Antonio’s.
We arrived at exactly 7:30 pm.
It didn’t bother me at all that Edmund wasn’t wearing shoes. I was confident we would be able to get in. Aside from being regulars here, his sandals are made of leather, and not the rubber slippers.

When the two female receptionists standing at the main entrance saw Edmund, they immediately told us they have to clear it first because he’s wearing slippers. I told them we can’t leave to buy shoes or socks. We’ll just leave if ever, and not come back. I told my daughter it’s okay if we are not able to get in, we’ll just go to Fire Lake Grill.

They said they’ve just refused a foreigner who was wearing rubber flipflops. Edmund was wearing leather sandals. When the manager saw what he was wearing, he said that’s fine. They led us to our table and profusely apologized.

That episode did not dampen our mood a bit. It’s an important night for us because it’s my husband’s birthday. For my kids, it’s doubly important to have this simple celebration.

Sometimes as we get older, we don’t feel excited anymore to celebrate our birthdays, but we must remember that it’s important to the people around us.

We are a family who’s number one pastime is eating, but tonight is different. We’re here not for the food, but for togetherness and to celebrate life itself.

Many first timers here in Antonio’s are turned-off by their expensive menu. This place has rightfully earned its stature and recognition. With the added zeros in their prices comes great service and elegant ambience. These things come with a price. Keep an open wallet and valid credit cards when dining here.

Fresh dalandan juice P600 per jar or P150 per glass.

P350 prosciutto salad, one plate for Oyen, one for Nyke

Seafood chowder comes with my order. It has a lot of tiny diced celery, not seafood.

Edmund wants baked potato to come with his rib eye steak but they only have mashed potato.

Steak sidings–

My main course- Seafood Sampler P1,650

My son likes lamb. He already had a big leg of lamb for lunch at Restaurant Verbena, and yet tonight, he chose lamb again.

Lamb Chops for Nyke. P2,000

Chocolate soufflé for Oyen

Assorted sorbet for me

Sorbet for Nyke

There’s already a P1,200+ service charge, but we left another P500. The service was great, they gave Edmund a complimentary birthday cake which I didn’t even order or request. They just probably heard us greeting Edmund happy birthday and they took the initiative to give him a cake. Free of charge. (Thank you Antonio’s for this nice gesture.)