Flavors of Tagaytay: Rewriting the Usual Narrative for Filipino Cuisine at Gregorio's

Is there room for yet another Filipino restaurant in Tagaytay? Now with four dining concepts under his belt, Dr. Kim Fajardo believes there's always more than enough space for good restaurants.

A new restaurant emerging from Tagaytay's post-pandemic culinary scene promises a unique and creative spin on traditional Filipino cuisine at Gregorio's. For Dr. Kim Fajardo, it's this inventive twist that will set his restaurant apart from the usual options in the southern destination. The second in a series of three posts exploring the new wave of restaurants opened late last year, Tagaytay's culinary landscape is reinvigorated with a refreshed optimism injected by daring restaurateurs adding to the changing and evolving flavors down south. 

The lasting impact from the long days of the quarantine experience have resulted in a new normal that's here to stay, forever changing our daily routine. But Tagaytay's restaurant scene is in full bloom once more with new and inspired dining options to welcome back travelers. 

One of these is Gregorio's, a modern Filipino restaurant with its contemporary twists on traditional local cuisine. Opened just late last year, Gregorio's promises both comfortingly familiar flavors and playfully inventive tweaks for a refreshingly new dining experience.

Dr. Kim Fajardo along with his wife and parents leads the family's restaurant ventures in Tagaytay now with four concepts in operation. A Filipino restaurant concept is almost mandatory in Tagaytay and the amiable Dr. Kim admits it may be difficult to go toe-to-toe with established restaurants saying "you cannot out-Filipino the current players in Tagaytay." But you can offer "Filipino food with a twist." Like sisig in a spring roll and chicken adobo reimagined in crunchy poppers. And since it opened late last year, Gregorio's has gained a loyal following among locals and visitors alike.  

For Dr. Kim, it's all about rewriting the usual narrative for traditional and classic Filipino cuisine by adding modern and creative twists while keeping the base flavors familiar. And it works. 

But first, some soothing libations to open up the palate and beat the summer heat like the refreshing Tanglad Lemonada and Rosas Lemonada in glasses (P 110) or pitcher (P 360).

Gregorio's offers a wide selection of indulgent beverages including their own nostalgic take on Samalamig (P 95) and a variety of iced teas like Iced Tea ni Gregorio and Pulang Iced Tea by the glass (P 95) or pitcher (P 300).

If you can't wait for dessert, go ahead and enjoy the Keso Melon (P 120), Buko Toco (P 120), Mangga Tango (P 120), Pinya Pesto (P 120) and Pakwan Cooler (P 120)...

...or go all-out with the Ube Quezo (P 150) before your feast, no judgement. And that's the vibe at Gregorio's, just good food in a relaxed and casual setting.

After a few more refreshing sips, the feast at Gregorio's begins with the first set of appetizers... 

Enjoy tasty bites with the classic Lumpiang Shanghai (P 450), crisp deep-fried spring rolls stuffed with a savory pork filling and served with a side of sweet chili sauce to kick off your dining experience at Gregorio's. The moist filling delivers a savory burst of flavors while the delectable crunch brings contrasting textures to the palate rounded out by the sweet chili sauce. 

Craving for that spicy kick? Gregorio's has that covered with their Sisig Dinamita sa Keso (P 290). The pork sisig filling drapes the palate with a flavorful savory richness followed by a gentle soothing heat from the chilies that lingers long after the last bite tempered by the creamy finish of cheese for delicately balanced notes. That crunchy texture and contrasting flavors from the pork sisig, chilies and and cheese come together seamlessly with each tasty bite. 

And if you're still craving for some crunch, the Balat ng Manok + Kropek (P 350) at Gregorio's should do the trick served with a spicy vinegar dip. You just can't go wrong with crunchy chicken skin, right? Richly seasoned with that lightly crisp finish, prepare for an indulgent burst of flavors tempered by the vinegar dip. Laid on crunchy kropek, the Balat ng Manok + Kropek is the perfect side to any sumptuous feast at Gregorio's. One more bite? Absolutely.

No festive feast is complete without local noodles, and the Crispy Seafood Canton (P 595) brings that celebratory vibe to the table at Gregorio's. Topped with the day's fresh catch of succulent seafood and garden-fresh vegetables, the Crispy Seafood Canton is just one more inventive twist from their playbook of inspired Filipino dishes at Gregorio's. 

The popular and ubiquitous local noodle dish is given a creative makeover with a layer of contrasting textures from the crispy noodles completed by the fresh and clean flavors from the fresh seafood and vegetables. A meal in itself and best shared, you don't need a special occasion to enjoy the Crispy Seafood Canton. Just being with friends and family at Gregorio's in Tagaytay calls for the Crispy Seafood Canton.

The Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (P 620) is Gregorio's own take on the local escabeche with delicately crisp fillets of breaded fish slathered in a rich, sweet and tart sauce. The fresh, clean and mild notes of the fish are complemented by the rich sauce to complete the dish. The flavors are spot on with this dish, spiced up with its delectable play on textural contrasts and flavors. 

Other tempting seafood offerings at Gregorio's include the Sizzling Pusit (P 495), Sizzling Tiyan ng Tuna (P 595), Gambas con Filipino (P 520), Pritong Pla-Pla sa Gata (P 495), Pritong Boneless Bangus (P 495), Crispy Camaron Rebosado (P 640), Oriental Steamed Pampano (P 680), Grilled Shrimp in Aligue (P 595) and Fish Fillet in Tofu in Tausi Sauce (P 645).  

And where's the beef? Gregorio's offers a lavish array of beef dishes like the fork-tender Oriental Beef with Steamed Chinese Cabbage for another tasty addition to your feast. Topped with fresh scallions and crunchy garlic bits, the Oriental Beef with Steamed Chinese Cabbage offers hearty flavors completed by the steamed greens.

Other equally savory beef dishes include the Kalderetang Baka (P 720), Paboritong Kare-Kare ni Gregorio (P 895), Bakwang (P 595), Bistek Tagalog (P 595), Sizzling na Bulalo (P 950), Sizzling Mongolian Beef (P 595) and Bulalo Pares (P 950). 

The creamy, nutty and spicy Laing (P 395) topped with crunchy lechon kawali and spring onions is a welcome change of pace adding fresh and comforting notes to your feast at Gregorio's. If the lechon kawali triggers your appetite, Gregorio's has even more porky goodness from their menu like the Paboritong Crispy Pata ni Gregorio (P 995), Inihaw na Liempo (P 520), Crispy Pork Binagoongan (P 520), Bicolana Express (P 520), Litson Kawali (P 495), Sisig (P 495) and Oriental Pork Pepper Ribs (P 745).  

Other vegetable options include the spicy Gising-Gising (P 370), Tulog-Tulog (P 370), Pinakbet Bagnet (P 370), Tinortang Talong (P 360), Adobong Kangkong sa Bawang (P 340), Lumpiang Sariwa (P 275), Pritong Lumpiang Ubod (P 380) and Classic Chopsuey (P 395).  

Adobo may be the quintessential Filipino dish, but Dr. Kim surprisingly doesn't enjoy adobo. And having no adobo in the menu of a Filipino restaurant just doesn't seem right. Dr. Kim challenged the culinary team at Gregorio's for a non-traditional adobo dish and the result? Chicken Adobo Poppers (P 380). It's another creative twist in the flavorful and surprise-filled repertoire of Gregorio's, infusing the familiar notes and flavors of the local staple recreated in crisp and juicy bites. Go ahead and pop one, and you'll soon be going for another bite. 

Other chicken dishes at Gregorio's include the Paboritong Manok ni Gregorio (P 750), Boneless Chicken Inasal (P 450), Boneless Chicken BBQ (P 450), Manok con Mantequilla (P 490), Orange Chicken (P 520) and Oriental Soy Sesame Chicken (P 520).

All that food on the table calls for rice, don't you think? Gregorio's completes your all-Filipino dining experience with a variety of rice dishes apart from the usual steamed rice including Kanin sa Aligue (P 420), Sinangag na Kanin sa Tinapa (P 390), Sinangag na Kanin sa Bawang (P 65), Yangchow Fried Rice (P 420), Bagoong Fried Rice (P 420) and Adobo Fried Rice (P 420).   

Served family-style, Gregorio's adds that perfect finishing touch to a memorable dining experience with their specialty rice dishes.

Comfortingly familiar yet refreshingly different, Gregorio's rewrites the book on comforting Filipino cuisine with its creative twists setting it apart from the usual dining options in Tagaytay for another flavorful chapter in the southern destination's evolving culinary story. 

Dining solo? No problem. Gregorio's also offers their Amazing Sizzlers like the Sizzling Beef with Mushrooms (P 295), Sizzling Porterhouse (P 380), Sizzling Burger Steak (P 285), Sizzling Breaded Pork Chop (P 320), Sizzling Lechon Kawali (P 320), Sizzling Fried Chicken (P 285) and Sizzling Sisig (P 285).

And don't forget dessert. The Turon Tsoknut con Sorbetes is one indulgence that cools you down from the summer heat for that perfect sweet ending. 

In a competitive culinary landscape, it's often not just enough to be different. The intent has to be matched with creative flair and masterful execution to make it both meaningful and relevant. Dr. Kim Fajardo nails it at Gregorio's and now it's your turn to try it...

Gregorio's is located along Aguinaldo Highway, Kaybagal South, Tagaytay. You can call (046) 890 3148 or visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/GregoriosTagaytay/ for inquiries and more updates.

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