Dahon at Mesa is a Filipino restaurant located in Tagaytay, a popular tourist destination in the Philippines. It offers a variety of dishes that showcase the rich and diverse flavors of Filipino cuisine, such as boodle fights, tawilis, and bulalo. It also boasts a stunning view of the Taal lake and volcano, making it a perfect place to enjoy a relaxing and satisfying meal. In this article, I will share with you some of the highlights of Dahon at Mesa, and why you should visit it when you are in Tagaytay.
What is Dahon at Mesa?
Dahon at Mesa is a branch of Mesa, a well-known Filipino restaurant chain that has branches all over the country. Dahon means “leaf” in Filipino, and it reflects the restaurant’s concept of serving fresh and natural food in a cozy and rustic setting. The restaurant is located along the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, near the Tagaytay Rotonda. It has a spacious and airy dining area, with wooden furniture, bamboo accents, and leafy decorations. The restaurant also has a large balcony, where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Taal lake and volcano, as well as the surrounding greenery.
What are the specialties of Dahon at Mesa?
Dahon at Mesa offers a wide range of Filipino dishes, from appetizers, soups, salads, grilled items, seafood, meat, vegetables, rice, noodles, and desserts. Some of the specialties of the restaurant are:
- Boodle Fights: These are large platters of food that are served on banana leaves, and eaten with bare hands. They are ideal for sharing with a group of friends or family, and they come in different themes and combinations. Some of the boodle fights available at Dahon at Mesa are:
- Taal Boodle: This consists of fried tawilis, grilled tilapia, grilled liempo, ensaladang talong, salted egg, tomato, onion, bagoong, and steamed rice. Tawilis is a type of freshwater sardine that is endemic to Taal lake, and it is a delicacy in Tagaytay.
- Pinoy Boodle: This consists of crispy pata, grilled chicken, grilled squid, grilled eggplant, okra, kangkong, salted egg, tomato, onion, bagoong, and steamed rice. Crispy pata is a dish of deep-fried pork knuckles that are tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside.
- Seafood Boodle: This consists of grilled tuna belly, grilled prawns, grilled squid, grilled mussels, grilled clams, ensaladang mangga, salted egg, tomato, onion, bagoong, and steamed rice. Ensaladang mangga is a salad of green mangoes, tomatoes, onions, and bagoong, a fermented fish or shrimp paste.
- Tawilis: These are small, crispy, and flavorful fish that are fried whole and served with vinegar and garlic dip. They are best eaten with steamed rice or as a snack.
- Bulalo: This is a hearty soup of beef shanks and bone marrow, cooked with corn, cabbage, pechay, and potatoes. It is seasoned with salt, pepper, and fish sauce, and served with calamansi and chili. It is a comfort food that is perfect for the cold weather in Tagaytay.
- Kare-Kare: This is a stew of oxtail, tripe, and vegetables, such as eggplant, string beans, and banana heart, cooked in a rich and creamy peanut sauce. It is served with bagoong and steamed rice. It is a festive dish that is usually served during special occasions.
How to get to Dahon at Mesa?
Dahon at Mesa is easy to get to, whether you are driving or commuting. If you are driving, you can take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Santa Rosa. From there, you can follow the signs to Tagaytay. The restaurant is located on the right side of the highway, before the Tagaytay Rotonda. There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant, as well as a valet service.
If you are commuting, you can take a bus from Manila to Tagaytay, and get off at the Tagaytay Rotonda. From there, you can take a tricycle or a jeepney to the restaurant. The fare is around 10 to 20 pesos, depending on the distance.
Conclusion
Dahon at Mesa is a Filipino restaurant that offers a variety of dishes that showcase the rich and diverse flavors of Filipino cuisine, such as boodle fights, tawilis, and bulalo. It also boasts a stunning view of the Taal lake and volcano, making it a perfect place to enjoy a relaxing and satisfying meal. If you are looking for a place to eat in Tagaytay, you should definitely check out Dahon at Mesa. You will not regret it.