The Cozy T.O.P.

The cozy The Other Place Native Foods And Restaurant

Platillo Ligero

Not one will deny nursing some cravings for great plates fashioned with great tasting delicacies. Once in a while, we take a glimpse of our personal list of food, hoping to find them anywhere fate may take us. And anytime of the day, there's certain cuisine with which we wish to lay our spoon, fork and knife on. The problem is, there's hardly a place around where one can sit back, relax and enjoy every slice of our dream food, whether they may be an appetizer, side dish or main course, down to the last bite.

Tables are pre-set with crystal clear
bright white saucers for soup.

Restaurateurs recognize this. The same reason why number of  grill houses, restaurants and food houses keep on sprouting like mushrooms around city streets. Looking at them, there's a great a probability that you'll start playing with your fingers the "meenee-meenee-my-neemo, where-am-i-to-go" game in deciding where to dine. Good thing there's one place which can live up to a patron's expectations. This is the only place. I mean, The Other Place Native Foods and Restaurant.

T.O.P, as commonly called, has been in restaurant business for number of years already. And from day one, the place takes pride of its old-fashioned interior architectural design. There exists a fusion of Spanish colloquial heritage and old Western mood as evidenced by wooden walls. Basically, most of the designs are made of bamboo materials, classic enough to give patrons a good feel of traditional Filipino dwellings. Thus, this could hardly be called a restaurant, but more of a veranda. And with a column of solid wooden post in the middle, sure thing it's a safe place to be.

The coffee maker at one side.

With a long line of clear window panels, there is no need for an airconditioning unit. Opening portions of them allows enough sunlight to brighten the place and to give more life to its deep brown floorboards. Compared with others where climate is created artificially through some electronic equipments, T.O.P. needs not more than a handful of ceiling fans to neutralize the climate outside. The woven ratan ceiling also contributes to this.

Tables and chairs are also one of the highlights of the restaurant. With slim metal frame, guests are afforded with maximum moving space. They got wide seats on their chairs and strong enough to carry one's weight. Tables are pre-set for the guests with crystal clear white saucers for soup and other appetizers. Again, in contrast with others, most of the tables are made for bigger groups. Individual tables for four are placed on beside the wall in case the guests wish to have intimacy with their company. And with the size of their tables, T.O.P. is more a family fine dining restaurant where occasions can be held.

The guests' plates on wall.

At one side, you'll find their coffee maker. Guests can choose from coffee out of beans to famous ready-mix barako coffee powder. Fresh fruits? They got that on the other side. Looking around, you'll marvel at plates hanging on the wall, signed by some famous showbiz and political personalities who have been at the place. Then on the right side, comfort rooms are waiting. But don't worry. In case someone got in there first, you won't get bored waiting. Either you settle down for a while on two stylish bamboo chairs, or gaze on memorabilia back in time on the wall.

 There are more reasons to be at The Other Place Native Food And Restaurant. Its atmosphere is too much already to speak for its coziness. How about the food listed on their menu? Well, we'll talk about that next.

(T.O.P is located at Rizal Avenue Extension Road, Batangas City.)