Okay I gotta blog this one before I forget. I <3 Korean food!

On our last day in Baguio in mid-February, Neil and I got to eat at Wood Nymph at SM.

We went all out with our orders.  We didn’t want to order what the waiter suggested (when we asked what’s the best seller).  He said Pinoys love to order the all-in-one box meals (similar to the Japanese bento box).  I wasn’t there ordering as a Pinoy, I was there to eat what Koreans love to eat.

We went for the beef bulgogi, this spicy seafood soup (Neil broke into a sweat instantly), and kimbap (favorite snack).

Absolutely no regrets.  The food we ordered easily beat out past faves in Baguio like Oh My Gulay! (the Anak ng Putanesca was too spicy on our last visit),  Cafe by the Ruins (ambiance is starting to feel commercial), and Starbowl Cafe (which closed down, no more seafood dumplings… noooo!).

Baguio is a place we’re not planning to return to soon.  We did it three times in one year.  It’s time to explore other places in the Philippines like Sagada, Ilocos, and Davao.  All those I hope to cover within the year.

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Wanting to make it a last day in Baguio kind of tradition, we had breakfast at Cafe by the Ruins.

We walked to its location near the Capitol.  My first observation was that a large building was being constructed right behind the ruins.  The ambiance was being ruined by how fast buildings develop these days in Baguio.  This would include a EuroTel being built nearby!

I didn’t feel like experimenting this time around so I ordered the same thing I tried before which is the Farmer’s Breakfast.

The Farmer’s Breakfast comprises of homemade bacon (from home-cured ham), mountain rice, egg, fruit selection, and your choice of coffee or tea.

Neil ordered the congee with tapa strips.  He decided to put the tapa strips into the soup which made it soft.  Nyek!

We skipped the pastries this time because we didn’t like them to begin with.  The homemade (home-cured ham) bacon is still a winner here.

It’s sad that the ambiance though is being ruined by the construction of tall buildings outside.  Cafe by the Ruins should look for a run-down structure in the woods and turn it into something new.

February 14. Mass at the Baguio cathedral, a spicy veggie dinner at OMG!, hot chocolate and strawberry sponge cake at Cordillera Coffee, and Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief at the local non-air conditioned cinema.

Valentine’s Day is something you don’t put on the itinerary.  In Baguio, you just go out and walk around the streets.  You feel the cool breeze and let the warm embrace be enough to make you happy.

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We spent Valentine’s Day exploring Camp John Hay by foot.  It was really a refreshing and peaceful walk.  No crowded bus terminals or shopping malls.  Just the birds and the bees.

Here are some of the things you can do at Camp John Hay.

• Do a little shopping at the Mile High center.
• Have a picnic lunch at the grounds.
• Experiment with ice cream flavors at the parlor on the hill.
• Try the refreshments at Chocolate de Batirol.
• Throw small rocks at little children.
• Order lunch at Little John’s.
• Explore or camp out along the Eco-trail.
• Scream “I LOVE YOU” while sliding down the zipline.
• Play paintball.
• Visit the butterfly sanctuary.
• Bike around the camp.

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I wanted an intimate dinner setting with Neil, Paul, and Rea.  I didn’t want to take any chances with the Valentine’s crowd so I made dinner reservations.  I had no idea that making reservations could be so fun.

We arrived 30 minutes before our reservation (I wanted to be safe) but were told our table was ready.  The restaurant has a homey feel to it with log cabin interiors,  warm lighting, and tables with bottles of wine.

Being quite early we ordered appetizers or appeteasers as they’re called on the menu.  Neil and I ordered the Tokwa’t Bagnet while Paul and Rea ordered the Seafood Gambas.

One of the house specialties is the bagnet.  But we ordered the appetizer version.  Crisp and crunchy!  Here’s a photo of Rea and Paul’s Seafood Gambas.

Neil and I ordered soup.  The soup items are served in a bread bowl.  The bread bowls and the ice cold shakes come with these inspirational notes.

I have to give credit to the extremely friendly wait staff.

I asked the waiter to serve our main course when the evening serenade began.  We ordered Forest House Back Ribs, Chicken Shrimp Fricassee, and Jakero Porkchops.

I loved Neil’s Chicken Shrimp Fricassee.  Plump shrimps are my favorite.  I also loved the sauce.  My Forest House back ribs were juicy and meaty.

For dessert Neil ordered Chocolate Decadence.  This is how it was served:

It was a fun time to catch up with my brother and Rea.

This was our happy Valentine’s!

Forest House Bistro and Cafe is a dining institution in Baguio City.  I recommend you make reservations to avoid any inconvenience.  Forest House Bistro and Cafe is located on 16 Loakan Road.  It has an overlooking view of Mt. Cristobal.  There is a nice terrace if you want to enjoy hot chocolate and the view.