Sun, sand and flavors

August 29, 2006
Updated 21:32:53 (Mla time)
Arlene Paredes
Inquirer.net

IN BORACAY, you give all your senses a real treat. Your eyes feast on the colors of ultimate tropical beauty that is your hideaway. Your nose inhales unpolluted paradise air. Your skin either basks in the warm sunlight during summer or enjoys the cool drizzle during rainy days. Your ears enjoy the music of the tropics, away from the crazy hustle and bustle of the city.

And your taste buds celebrate luscious organic flavors devoid of toxic artificial ingredients.

Inquirer 2bU! dined at Garden Café in Patio Pacific to sample its healthy, scrumptious and detoxifying Chinese cuisine.

Among the soups I sampled, the delicious Egg Drop Soup and nutritious Tomato Soup were top favorites. Garden Café’s Tomato Soup was so flavorful that it left a tinge of pepper and spices in my mouth as I waited for the appetizer and main course.

For appetizer, nothing beats Patio Pacific’s Ocean Splash Garden Salad with special vinaigrette dressing. The mere act of gently pouring the vinaigrette on this generous splash of fresh crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and onions with slices of boiled egg and chunks of tuna was already quite an experience. And at only P180, it was a definite treat.

Next, try Patio Pacific Grilled Prawns. Fresh, juicy and delicious, the six huge prawns came with Patio Pacific’s very own red sauce, at only P300.

My other favorite was the Yoga Chicken Skewers, marinated in yoghurt and garlic then grilled to perfection. Savor the smooth creaminess of the white sauce blending deliciously with the chicken meat in your mouth. Also try the white sauce with other meat or veggies on your table. This set of six chicken skewers came at P175.

If you’re craving for bacon or thinking of a heavy and filling breakfast, try Mignon de Porc Al’ail. My serving came with four pork mignons wrapped in bacon, pan seared then served with gravy, at P350.

For a low-fat, protein-rich serving, try Wasabe Tuna Steak for only P150.

As a chicken meat lover, I just had to try the succulent Steamed White Chicken with special Chinese wine mixed in the white sauce. A small serving cost P165; medium, P220; and large, P275.

For dessert, the mango crepe laced with rich chocolate syrup (P120) was a great way to cap a fully satisfying meal.

Among Garden Café milkshakes, my favorite was the Mega Watermelon Milkshake (P150). Try this perfectly soothing blend that goes right with any meal, any time of the day.

At Garden Café, you can also request that a particular dish be cooked to your specific instructions. The restaurant’s chef, Jomar Bartolome, and the friendly and hospitable staff will take care of it for you.

If you want your dinner to be extra special or romantic, either with the barkada or a special someone, you can opt to have a candlelit dinner at the Garden Café teahouse, where you and your date can call the place your own.

Garden Café is in Patio Pacific in Boat Station 1, Balabag, Boracay Island. Call (+6336) 2883888 or 2883999. In Manila, call 8452222 to 27. Visit www.patiopacificboracay.com

E-mail the author at lhenparedes@gmail.com