Cef'Aidautzz Gastropub in San Pablo, Laguna

Hallloooo titos and titas! How's your All Saints' Day so far?

I haven't been picking up my writing lately so today while I was drinking coffee... I realized I need to share my private dining experience in San Pablo, Laguna. Private dining is when a chef invites you at their place for a private catering service, I think you can also hire them to cater for you at your own place, but I am no expert in the private dining field, I am more adept with simply finding dining spots, eating, and sharing them! Ha! That I can clearly hold a badge for!

So how did I end up experiencing this? I got an invite from my colleagues in the financial advisory industry for a get together. A colleague of mine happens to be a chef! A Filipina chef, married to a French chef, their tasty creations were sought after by the upper class members of Europe's social society, so as early as now you can be assured how great the food is!

Tucked away from the busy highways of San Pablo, the tree lined street going to Cef'Aidautzz evokes provincial vibes, automatically building excitement, looking forward to try what an unassuming gastropub could potentially offer the private dining market. This gem of a pub is quietly located in Purok 7 Bato Balani Subdivision, in San Pablo City, Laguna.

Upon entering the iron gates, you will be welcomed by a private garden filled with plants, some herbs a fruit bearing tree! (The passion fruit juice we drank came from her private garden! How fresh is that!) Located at the first level of her home, the private dining salon opens to a space with white walls, plants (both hanging and potted), and windows with sheer white curtains allowing natural light to flood the entire dining area. A credenza made from an old door greets you as you enter, topped with candles and plants, it makes an interesting conversation piece. The dining table made from a heavy hard wood grounds the space, the neatly woven jute chairs give an extra earthly feel to the dining set up. The mirror on the other end of the dining table reflects the window from the other side, bouncing light, opening up an otherwise enclosed space. The play with natural light and recurring use of natural elements creates a homey, lived-in, and curated kind of vibe in the space.

The pocket garden with trellis leading you to the private dining salon

I love how this door was transformed to be a credenza!

The devil is in the details. Look at that door!

The private dining salon gives you a boutique hotel feel no?

We were served with welcome drinks, the coconut-thyme juice is refreshing! The simplicity and familiarity of coconut juice with that extra hint of thyme hits your taste buds differently! While waiting for the main course, an appetizer was served.

Lemongrass scallops and prawn skewers.

Lemongrass scallops and prawn skewers. Seafood with a hint of that fragrant lemongrass. I am not sure if I tasted or just smelled lemongrass, but nonetheless this appetizer is a yes for me. You won't see this being served in malls or your local hole in the wall.

Beef Lasagna was served after as the main course. It was a big chunk of lasagna filled generously with beef, the thick tomato sauce and bechamel sauce just oozing with goodness.

This is a single serving. I think it's good for two.

BLT in Sour Dough. The different layers combined with their own dressing is a winner.

This is too pretty to eat. I had to eat this later that day... I finished my lasagna in one sitting haha!

We finished off with a chocolate brownie with coffee.

How cute is that presentation! And yes it's good!

Passion fruit juice. Maumay kayo sa pores ko. Ha!

We also had passion fruit juice! Plucked fresh from the garden! If you have tried the fresh juices from P.S. Cafe in Singapore, they're quite in the same level.

Coffee is overflowing, yes you can get a refill and even choose whether you like it brewed, get a cup of americano, a latte or cappuccino instead. We were also offered mocktails! Ha! Now that's a treat! Call me boring but I am skipping alcohol.

The ingredients used were locally sourced, vegetables, herbs, fruits that are available in the chef's garden are used. This is a big plus for me, seasonal cooking is great because you get to experience certain foods at certain seasons giving you a spectrum of flavors and nutrients year round.

The tablescaping is cute. Not excessive and vulgar, this makes it more homey. It's just right, casual, nothing flamboyant.

We spent the day chatting away and catching up with what's happening. It felt that I was dining at home, you have personal interaction with the chef which makes the experience more personal, another thing, you also do not need to think about people waiting for their turn to be seated so you don't feel rushed.

Cef'Aidautzz offers an array of dishes, from European to Asian. They serve fresh juices, coffee, an assortment of teas (they have an entire shelf lined with different teas from around the world!), wines and spirits. There is nothing they can't serve haha!

Chef Hazel Honeyball, is a luxury yacht chef in Europe, she's excited to share with everyone her dishes favored by the affluent members of society, the same excitement she brings to her other job as a financial advisor. She loves both her jobs, and you can see how accomplished she is at both, I am very honored to be in the same circle with her.

Cef' Aidatuzz Gastropub private dining starts at Php 1200 per head for a 3 course meal for 2 pax, they can accommodate up to 10 pax for the private dining service.

For private dining inquiries please click the link below.

Cef'Aidatuzz

Bye for now! Have a fantastic week ahead!

Love, Tito Gary xxx