On my fifth day on Leyte, I decided to take a much needed break, my map updating work for United Tourist Promotions (makers of EZ Maps) just about done. My sister-in-law Paula suggested I bring along Selena and Sean, my niece and nephew respectively, and have lunch at Rafael’s Farm Garden Restaurant in the next town of Babatngon. We brought along their family driver Cherwine Avis. It was just a 13-km./30 min. drive to the restaurant.
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| The boating lagoon |
This peaceful, 16-hectare place in the middle of farmland, because of its ambiance, is a perfect place to dine, get close to nature and relax with its beautiful, well-maintained landscaping. There were many open green spaces to walk around, a wishing well, a manmade waterfall, a calesa, a treehouse for children to play in and a lagoon where one can go rowboating. A wooden platform leads to a gazebo at the middle of the lake. At night, fireflies swarm at a nearby tree. The restaurant was named after the grandson of owner/entrepreneur Rene Tampil. Rene is also the owner of meat shops and the “Join Us” fastfood eateries in Tacloban City.
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| Selena at entrance to main building |
The thatched-roof main building, with its native decor and open on 2 sides, has a wooden floor, conversation areas with sofas, interesting coffee tables, old and lamps, sculpture pieces, and an infinity pond with koi fish around the perimeter. A favorite weekend destination, it is truly a nice place for one who wants to get out of noise and stress of city life, even if just for a few hours.
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| The conversation area and infinity pond |
The main dining area has dining tables topped with crocheted tablecloth and wooden chairs with woven abaca backrests and seats covered with banig. All around are artwork (done by local artists) for sale. The menu features a wide selection of delicious Filipino dishes (fish sinigang, grilled herb chicken, kinilaw, kare-kare, crispy chicken kawali, coco chicken stew, garlic butter fish steak, yellow pork chop, baked scallops, classic baby back ribs, etc.), salads (farmer’s salad, garden fresh salad, etc.), desserts (buko gelatin, halo-halo, turon, etc.), pastries and beverages (lemon grass tea, ginger tea, iced tea, etc.), all at reasonable prices. You can avail of a set meal consisting of salad, a side dish, rice, main course and dessert for PhP220.
Rafael’s Farm: Brgy. Pagsulhugon, Babatngon, Leyte. Tel: (053) 325-0729. Mobile numbers (0918) 669-9909 and (0915) 920-0325. E-mail: inquiry@rafaelfarm.com and reservation@rafaelfarm.com. Website: www.rafaelfarm.com.