Food Trip: Isabelo
November is one of my family’s busy months, primarily because of two events – - my younger brother’s and my dad’s birthdays.
Instead of giving material presents for birthdays, I usually give my fam and closest friends the lifetime gifts of experience — experiences of travel, experiences of good out-of-town or out-of-the-country vacations, and (my fave) gastronomic experiences.
For my Dad’s and my bro’s birthdays, I let them gastronomically experience Isabelo’s.
Isabelo is a hidden personal service garden restaurant in Marikina. I have spent a big chunk of my life in Marikina, but this is the initial time that I get to experience Isabelo first hand. It is a resto garden of an 80-year-old house nestled in the heart of Marikina. Ms. Portia does the cooking herself, and also personally welcomes her guests as soon as guests arrive.
Different dining areas of Isabelo. Dining on wooden tables set on creative mosaic floorings, under dainty vines with hanging flowers while savoring each dish served in large, hand-painted dinnerware or countryside-inspired wooden boards. Note that all ingredients are handpicked and bought daily to ensure freshness in every prepared meal.
Dining al fresco
I opted to have my family dine in the Art Room (with paintings and copper collection all around).
Love Love Love the food
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Baked Oysters
Beef Bourguignon served with crusted ciabatta slices
Seared Tuna with Mango Salsa
Roasted Pork Crackling served with 4 special sauces
Lemon parslied garlic rice (perfect with Roasted Pork Crackling)
I failed to have dessert, as I had to run to a company Christmas event. My fam stayed behind and had
WaterMelon Sorbet and Mango Float.
It’s now challenging to look for a resto with a great ambience and extremely delish food, as either the former or the latter gets sacrificed. Isabelo’s meets expectations for both. I’ll definitely bring more friends and loved ones to this secret resto garden in Marikina — After making reservations (read: walk-ins are highly discouraged).
DETAILS
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Restaurant: Isabelo
Address: Marikina City (book online to receive an Isabelo map)
Telephone Number: +63.2.510.6914 / +63.908.740.1645
Website: http://www.isabelogarden.com/
Budget: I allotted PHP 3500 for an entire meal good for 5 pax
Open on: Mon – Sun: 6 PM – midnight
Others: Servings are generous in size. Good for 2-4 pax, some at 5-8 pax and even 10-12!
Feel free to leave your comments.
Explore the world we live in,
Mai Pascua
Founder, WorldsLocalCitizens.com
Email: mai.pascua@worldslocalcitizens.com
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Tags: restaurant
hi! im planning to eat at isabelo’s but we have no car. how do you get there if you commute? thanks!
Hi Rachel. You just need to take the Calumpang (Marikina) jeepney. Isabelo is near the Marikina Our Lady of the Abandoned (OLA) church.