Laguna Food Trip Part 1: Patis Tito Garden Cafe

We had another impromptu celebration for lola by going on a Laguna food trip the Sunday after her real birthday.  We trooped to Patis Tito Garden Cafe for lunch where we met none other than Ms. Patis Tesoro herself.  She spent a couple of minutes chatting with us and even posed for some souveneir photos.

I enjoyed the Ensaladang Pako and Pan Fried Bangus Belly as much as the last time I had them.  The Combo Plate Appetizer was huge enough for everyone to share.  I was hesitant to bite into the Sweet and Sour Beef Balls because they were still pinkish.  The waiter said that's really the way they prepare it to maintain the moistness.  True enough, it tasted cooked and juicy.  I never thought of putting cheese in Lumpiang Shanghai - melt in your mouth goodness.  I preferred dipping these in the orange sauce which I think was the sweet chili sauce.

Combo Plate Appetizer P330
8 pieces each of petite lumpiang gulay, lumpiang shanghai w/ cheese and sweet and sour beef balls
dipping sauces:  visayan spiced vinegar w/ yellow ginger, sweet and chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce

The Kare-Kareng Dagat was light and flavorful.  No need for the bagoong.

Kare-Kareng Dagat P280
stewed fresh seafood in peanut annato sauce, set on a bed of slow poached vegetables served with sauteed visayan shrimp paste

Nice presentation for the Binagoongang Baboy.  It wasn't too salty and the bagoong flavor was not overpowering.  I forgot to try the eggplant underneath though.

Binagoongang Baboy P240
tender slow stewed pork belly flavored with sauteed fermented shrimp paste, local garlic and asian green chilies with char grilled eggplant

Some parts of the Hainanese Chicken were still pink.  I ate this with the soy and ginger sauce.  We loved the light soup that came with it.

Hainanese Chicken P265
slow boiled chicken enhanced w/ ginger and lemongrass served w/ garlic chili, soy and ginger sauce 

We were pretty full and wanted a change of scenery so we decided to go to Villa Escudero for some coffee and dessert.  After around 10 minutes, we reached there and found out that it would cost us over P1,000 per person to go inside.  The package included lunch which we already had so we opted to drive back to San Pablo and look for the dessert place that Patis Tesoro recommended.  I will be posting our sweet adventure soon.

*Read about my first Patis Tito visit here, Laguna food trip part 2 and Laguna food trip part 3.

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Patis Tito Garden Cafe

formerly Kusina Salud

285 Bgy. Sta. Cruz (Putol)

San Pablo City, Laguna

0906-4439092

Once in San Pablo, just go straight along Maharlika Highway towards the direction of Quezon.  You will pass Meralco and Mitsubishi.  A few more minutes and you will spot Phoenix gas station, turn left there.  After you pass a small bridge, you will see the Patis Tito signage and entrance to the compound.

One more thing, found this at the bottom of the menu.  "For the convenience of our senior customers, prices do not include VAT.  Non-senior customers will be charged VAT.  A service charge of 10% will be added to the total bill."