Sulyap Gallery Cafe: There's No Place Like Home

Sulyap Gallery Cafe

Sulyap Gallery Cafe is a restaurant rich in history. It was once a school, a hotel, a government office, and now, a restaurant/antique gallery. During these different occupancies, it was our playground. Mayordoma was a fixture at the hotel lobby.  Yaya roamed the corridors of the government office. Being her parents' only princess, the surrounding areas were Driver's mini-kingdom. Now, it's Senyorito Lakwatsero's turn.

You will be greeted by this sight as you enter the compound

We originally did not intend to feature Sulyap in our blog because people might think we are biased given our affiliation to the owners.  But then, we realized that we should not deny our followers the opportunity to discover the wonder that is Sulyap. So, during the month of hearts, our (Senyorito Lakwatsero, Yaya and Mayordoma) birth month and Driver's "gave birth" month, we are featuring the restaurant closest to our hearts, Sulyap.  In the spirit of fairness, we will be sharing the experiences of other customers.

Getting customers to visit a restaurant is an accomplishment but to keep them coming back is an achievement. Since it started in late 2007, Sulyap has created a steady and loyal client base.  The customers who were there from the start are still there. They can even be considered as "de facto marketing officers" of the restaurant. Sulyap became known through word of mouth. 

One of our favorite spots

What makes customers keep coming back and spreading the good news? Let's start with the location.  As you step inside the compound, you will be taken to another era, another world. During a time when everything is simple, when dining is not just for subsistence but also for enjoyment and relaxation.  The rich foliage of decades old fruit-bearing trees, bamboos, imperiales, pakpak-lawin and other plants will make one forget that the he or she is actually in the city. If you don't have your own transportation, a short jeepney or tricycle ride from the city proper will take you to the compound. It's along the road that connects San Pablo City to Calauan.

Casa Cabay during daytime

The main restaurant, Casa Cabay, is a 1907 house that was originally located in the Quezon province. When the house was about to be demolished, it was auctioned off and the owners of Sulyap won in the bidding. The house was torn down piece by piece and was transported to San Pablo City, Laguna and was rebuilt in the compound, again, piece by piece.

Inside Casa Cabay

The two-storey house turned restaurant features antique tables, chairs, decorations and other furniture. There is no air conditioning but the breeze passing through the wide open capiz and espejo windows is enough to keep you cool.  One can't help but be sentimental especially when it's drizzling.

Sulyap Function Hall

Across is a gallery housing the owners' extensive antique collection such as intricately carved cabinets or aparadors, four-poster beds, wooden basins, lamps, religious icons, among others.  The scene stealers are the two Lambretta bikes and the Volkswagen bug parked outside the gallery.  Right in the middle of the gallery is a function hall which can serve as venue for special occasions like weddings, baptisms and birthdays.  Trivia: The function hall area used to be the lobby of the hotel while the other side of the gallery was the restaurant where Yaya's  baptismal reception was held.

Casa de Obando

At the other side of the compound is a Bed & Breakfast, Casa de Obando. The two-storey house from Obando, Bulacan features two rooms with a shared receiving area on the second floor and three rooms on the first floor.  Each room is designed like turn of the century rooms but with modern amenities to ensure guests' comfort.  There's also a swimming pool in the compound's orchard.

On-going construction of Casa Alitagtag

With the growing demand, another house from Batangas province, Casa Alitagtag, is currently being built. The house which is right behind Casa Cabay will feature rooms that can cater to larger groups making it ideal for corporate events. Once finished, this will be the biggest among the three houses.  

Whew! We're not even in the food portion yet. So, shall we proceed?

Enseladang Pako

A visit to Sulyap won't be complete without having a taste of its phenomenal Enseladang Pako - fiddlehead fern with salted egg, green mangoes, onions, tomatoes and vinegar dressing.  Usually, when we first offer this to friends, we get reactions like it's nothing new, they don't like pako because it's bitter or that they don't eat vegetables at all.  However, once they have tasted Sulyap's version, they suddenly become converts! They even confess to trying to replicate the dish in their homes but did not get the same taste. There was a joke that probably aside from using other top secret ingredients, there is also a timing involved when mixing the dressing. Another joke is that when only the dressing is left of the salad, they will request for a straw and sip it! You only have to shell out Php150 to savor this dish.

Kulawong Talong

Another Sulyap dish is the Kulawo - choice of banana heart or eggplant cooked in tangy-smoked coconut milk. This one is a true labor of love.  The grated coconut meat is smoked over coconut husk coals before extracting the milk. The dish is topped with oh so tender grilled pork belly. We had friends who told us that they did not know that such a dish exists, so the Kulawo is a delicious discovery for them. For a cost of Php310, it can serve 2-3 people.  Tip: The cooks of Sulyap are mostly from Bicolandia, a region known for their coconut milk based dishes (ginataan). So, ginataan dishes at Sulyap are sure winners!

Pan-seared  Boneless Bangus Belly

The pako and the kulawo are best paired with Bangus Belly. Don't scratch your heads. No matter how simple it seems, there is something special about this pan seared boneless fish. The secret? The bangus is sourced from local suppliers that's why it's always fresh. We have a friend who no longer looks at the menu when she's at Sulyap because she has already set her heart on the bangus. The plate-sized belly costs Php340 and is served with tomato slices, leeks and toasted garlic.  Other alternatives are the Crispy Tilapia with special sauce and the pan fried Tanigue Steak.  Every once in while, we receive messages from friends who have gone back to their international bases saying that they are craving for these dishes.

Mango Ala Mode

If you want a sweet ending to your meal, Sulyap's crepes are a must try. Though not Filipino in origin, it was given a Filipino twist with the use of caramelized bananas and ripe mango as fillings.  Even if it is just part of the dessert, one customer commented that its quality is comparable to the ones being served in a cafe specializing in crepes.  Another customer swears that the thought of having a taste of Sulyap's Mango Ala Mode after work is enough to get her through a long and tiring day.  Another trivia:  the crepes of Sulyap are original recipes of Driver and Yaya.  Yes, we do cook and are good at that! We're just plain lazy that's why we always eat out! Hahaha! During special occasions, they also serve the mouth-watering Nata De Mangga.

Wash down your meal with an order of Sulyap's own blend of iced tea. This citrusy drink is made especially for Sulyap, thus the name, Sulyap Blend. But we have a friend who calls it "iced tea good for two!" What's amazing is even if she is based oceans away, she still orders her "iced tea good for two" whenever she's on vacation in the Philippines. Sulyap also offers fresh fruit shakes like mango and watermelon, coffee and Mayordoma's favorite, the Tsokolate Tablea.

Baked Pork Pastel Casserole 

Sulyap also has other remarkable slow cooked dishes like the beef sirloin in red wine sauce, bistek tagalog and BOS's favorite, the baked pork pastel casserole. BOS who is a foodie herself and has travelled the world over, says that the pork pastel is the best pastel of its kind that she has tasted.  There are also other traditional dishes like Kare-Kare, Igado, Sinigang, and Native Tinola.

We've talked about the place, the ambiance and the food. Now it's time to introduce Sulyap's other asset, its staff. You can come to Sulyap wearing your "pambahay" but you will still get the royal treatment, service deluxe. Each table is assigned a wait staff who will not only take and serve the orders, they will also be on stand by to provide the needs of clients like changing appetizers plates to main dish plates to dessert plates, and to refill the customers glasses. They are also there to give customers a tour of the gallery. 

Guests tried dancing the Tinikling during the wedding

One thing admirable about them is that they remember their clients and their likes.  They go out of their way to please their guests. Recently,a guest requested one of the senior wait staff to prepare a surprise birthday dinner for her husband. Even the decision on what they'll eat was left with the wait staff.  On his part, the wait staff prepared the cabana. He replaced the long table with a table for two and scattered flowers and candles in the area. Saying that the husband was pleased would be an understatement.  There was also a time when one of the guests requested for traditional Filipino dances during the wedding of her relative.  Some wait staff, their relatives and friends, and even the owners' daughter instantly put up a dance troupe and danced during the wedding program to the guests' delight.

But our favorite gimik will always be the one that our friend Mitch pulled off for her then boyfriend (now husband), Matt. She wanted to surprise Matt for his birthday so she enlisted our help and we in turn asked for the help of the Sulyap staff. The wait staff pretended that there was an ongoing promo.  The lucky customer will get the chance to go on a treasure hunt at the compound if he or she picks the right paper in the bowl. Of course, it was rigged! There were clues set all around the gallery. The last clue led them back to the place reserved for them. When Matt opened the door to the private room, there was a wait staff holding his candle lit birthday cake and greeting him a happy birthday!

There he goes again

We are sure that other guests have their own stories to tell.  But the best story will always be when guests see familiar food or items in the restaurant or the gallery that brings back memories of their youth, their family heritage. And that is what Sulyap is all about.  It gives you a glimpse of that forgotten past which makes you value your heritage even more because home is where the heart is.