Dining in heaven: Aozora Tagaytay Japanese Cafe + Bistro
1:42 AM
We Manilanean would travel anywhere for good food plus a nice view that even traffic can't stop us, and Tagaytay is one of everyone's choice when it comes to that. You can find a lot of different restaurants in every corner of the city but every time I visit Tagaytay I usually go to restaurants that mostly offers breakfast food, pasta, Filipino food and of course Bulalo. Good thing I found a new place that serves authentic Japanese food. So just in case you're having staycation in Tagaytay and crave for some Japanese food, Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro is a place for you, where food and view is to die for.
There is a meaning behind the restaurant's name- aoi means "blue" and sora means "sky". Aozora is located on the roof deck of Domicillo Boutique Hotel, as soon as you get there a perfect view of the city and the Taal Lake will greet you. Though it was raining when we dine out it stopped for a bit so we got a chance to go out and see the view. I wasn't able to take a picture there 'cause it's very windy. Anyway, would you imagine eating authentic Japanese food under the majestic blue sky or starry night in the coolness of evening. Awesome right? It will give you an utterly romantic, serene and astonishing feeling. It's perfect for dates, family dining, group outings, special events like weddings and birthdays, or just being alone with your favorite book and grab some Aozora drinks. Though the resto is perfect for every occasion I hope they do some alternative just in case rain pour since outdoor area is more spacious than the inside.
Stairs going up to Aozora
Inside Aozora's
A wide selection of drinks to choose from local to Japanese!
Aozora Iced Tea (P120)
Composed of pandan, cucumber, lemongrass, honey and mint leaves. Who would have thought that these three ingredient can create a unique taste. Weird taste at first but it's addicting, I swear. The pandan is bit overpowering that's why it's kinda reminds me of Sago't Gulaman except the minty part.
Fried Kani Salad (P310)
A usual kani salad that we ordered in Japanese restaurant, the difference is the yummier crunchy bits of kani that adds texture too in the salad, and topped with mayo and fish roe.
Tuna Avocado Salad (P290)
The unexpected combination of big eye tuna chunks and fresh avocado. This light fresh salad is made with simple all natural ingredients that create incredible fresh flavor that is weirdly good!
Maki
Dragon Maki (P350)
Super love! The superstar crunchy dragon roll with kani tempura topped with mayo, tobiko and strip seaweeds is something that you can't stop eating. It has 8 pieces roll to share.
Spicy Salmon Maki (P260)
This eight big rolled rice with nori and raw salmon inside is something that you can't say NO especially for maki lovers like me! The chopped batter-fried salmon on top adds huge crispy texture for maki.
Sashimi
Mixed Sashimi (P510)
I can see a sashimi party here! You can enjoy and taste different sashimi in one plate. Comprised of tuna, salmon, shime saba, ika, tako, uni, kani and tamago.
Tuna Sushi (P120)
Classic hand-moulded tuna sushi of Aozora is fresh and flavoursome rice.
Ramen
Sukiyaki Soup (Regular P590 & U.S Beef P700)
Another dish that I love on their menu! Sukiyaki soup is everything for me since then. You can't leave the resto without having this. It was filling, comforting and healthy. This hot pot soup made with thin noodles, thinly sliced beef, large amount of vegetables, broiled tofu, and a broth (sweet and savory taste).
Aozora Ramen (P320)
Here's the twist, the Aozora Bulalo-inspired ramen. Enriched with Tagaytay's favorite Bulalo that gives you a unique and delightful taste. I feel like an instant noodles comes to real life and I can say, "This is the real Bulalo noodles". Flavorful broth, tender beef shank, and slender noodles and cooked with ginger, garlic, carrots, white onions, petchay, fresh cor kernels and hard-boiled egg is surprisingly awesome and perfect foil to the cool weather of Tagaytay.
Grilled
Mixed Seafood Teppanyaki (P490)
Made out of mixed seafood like squid, prawn, fish and different vegetables. It becomes heaven in a bowl when flavor from the seafood plus sauces combined. Perfect for rice!
Chicken Teriyaki Don (P290)
Glossy sweet sauce paired with white rice, there's a comfort food meal right there. Cooked perfectly, it was soft and tender- you'll know that the chicken was not cooked frozen.
Fried
Ebi Tempura (P270)
I'm a huge fan of tempura! Well, I don't know anyone who isn't. You shouldn't miss eating this tender hand-battered tempura with a light bread crumb mixture that bakes to crunchy texture.
Chicken Katsu with Salad (P290)
An example of perfect combination. I don't need rice for this dish since it has salad already. Just right right amount of breadings and deep-fried into perfection. The chicken transformed to crispy and not so oily meal.
Dessert
Tempura Ice Cream (P250)
In all honesty, this is my first time to eat a Tempura Ice cream super delicious, a great way to end a hearty meal. Ice cream dipped in tempura batter and fried until it cooked. You'll know that ice cream was carefully cooked since it's not so golden brown that may look like overcooked.
The food is simply delicious, and it's organic, prepared cooked in authentic Japanese style and ingredients by their Japanese Chef, Seiji Kamura. The food, service and the place will leave you a memorable experience and feeling special.
Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro is open from 9:00AM to 10:00PM and located at beautiful and elegant Domicillo Hotel (along scenic ridge) General E. Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City. For reservations or advance orders you can reach them in 0915 503 8800 or 0906 350 1704.
I hope it helped! Thank you for reading☺
If you guys tried their food, what your favorite? How's the experience? I would love to hear!☺
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