Anniv Weekend Escape: Casa de Carlo

Inasmuch as we wanted to stick with the plan of staying at Sonya’s Garden Bed and Breakfast for this anniv celeb, we needed to squeeze out our budget a bit for a grand travel escapade next month (Excited na kami! Yey!) and decided to at least visit Sonya’s even for lunch tomorrow (which we did).

With few good and not-so-good reviews of Casa de Carlo- a Spanish themed Bed and Breakfast, we decided to give it a try since a night stay would only cost us P1800 inclusive of breakfast for two. The thought of an exquisite place yet to be discovered comes in our mind, only a little hesitant due to their cheap rate (usual high end Tagaytay B&B would cost P5k++). They also cater garden weddings (package is way lot cheaper than Moon Garden), so it’s for us to find out.

Casa de Carlo accepts guests with prior reservations only (no walk-ins accepted) so we made our reservations ahead of time. Prompt txt replies from Carlo himself during bank deposits but not the day before the event of which we’re asking for the free shuttle service and advance order of Paella for dinner. So I did CALL to furnish everything.

On our way to Tagaytay, I see to it I was informing Carlo thru txt of our whereabouts. We’ve reached Mendez around 1pm (check in is 1pm) but since 1st plan is Mushroom Burger, I informed him and asked him to meet us at 2:30pm instead. We we’re in front of Mercury Drug, Mendez Crossing already (meeting place) 10mins before 2:30pm but still no reply from Carlo. I missed call but got dismayed receiving a reply saying ‘Yes how we may help you?’ (Are we waiting for nothing?) I’ve called him again and confronted him and after apologies made, told me that his fiancée is on her way already to meet us.

To make the story short, we were met by Raina- Carlos sweet and accommodating girl- and reached Casa de Carlo around 3pm. The place is located in a compound, few minutes away from Mendez Crossing.

The place was maximized having this restaurant in the middle, villas in front, suites (ours included) on the side, garden at the back and kitchen at the back corner. Since the restaurant was full with Korean guests (a bus was on the parking), we decided to stay with our lovely suite till dinnertime (free wifi, btw).

We have this huge flat-screened TV, DVD player and default channels (No cable at all).

CR is nice too with heater (Don’t have good shots though).

We decided to stroll around the garden at 6pm though it was raining a bit. But still, we did steal some photos to share.

The restaurant’s interior was lovely. Antiques and collections were hanging on the wall. There’s a billiard table too for guests’ free use. The restaurant itself was classy with this Spanish music being played in the background.

Gil requested Sally thru txt-the caretaker staff- for coffee to be served in the garden area. That’s past 6pm but until the Korean guests came back for dinner, no coffees were served. We waited for the guests to go thus we’ve had our dinner at around 7:30pm.

Dinner was something for we’ve had the entire restaurant all by ourselves, with only two staff in a distance.

Btw, we cancelled the Paella for servings were good for 3-4 persons. Gil settled for Pork Salpicao instead while I had Chicken ala Queen- two of the Chef’s specialty. Those meals come with tall glass of iced tea and green salad on the side. (VAT and 10% SC NOT included).

The chicken was divine, creamy, tender and a real heaven. The Pork Salpicao on the other hand is not just a so so but was hard to chew (Jaw flexing! Lol!)

We forgot already about the coffee and was surprised receiving a txt from Sally at 7:57pm saying ‘Wait lang ha laga pa’. Few minutes more and the coffee was served, leaving us confused whether to take it or not (We ordered for coffee around 6pm and it was served past 8pm, how was that?) We decided to take it instead (patience…patience!) since we’re feeling bloated already due to the sumptuous dinner we took a while ago.

We’re supposed to have breakfast at the garden the following day but since it was still raining, we had it room delivered. The set meal of fried rice, sausage, sunny-side-up egg and side salad was served first, then the cold water was refilled (Read: COLD WATER!). I was expecting for something HOT since it’s breakfast but the staff insisted that coffee is not included and he don’t know about the servings (He’s not even accommodating!) So I txtd Sally if coffee or tea is included or not and just before we’re done with our meal, she replied ‘Tea po ang free nila’. The tarragon tea was served after everything else on our plate was finished! (What a poor service they have!)

If you think you have a bagful of patience with you, try this place. But mind you, never expect too much with the service! ^-^

(We still managed to enjoy our stay though for nothing compares with every moment spent with someone so dear!) *Wink*