By Dolly Dy-Zulueta | Photos by Rafael R. Zulueta
IT’S Valentine’s weekend, and being so, there will be lots of people, especially couples, going up to Baguio. The Summer Capital of the country, which has now become a favorite year-round destination for both foreign and local tourists, enjoys cool weather, which makes it a serene and romantic place to stay for sweethearts, married couples and, yes, even families. Just this week, Baguio even registered its coldest temperature for the year, which is 11˚C.
The good thing about it is that there are now many places to stay in the City of Pines, because a lot of new hotels have been built to add to the old hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast places, and transient houses available to guests. Some are in the city proper, which is ideal for those who want to be close by for easy trips to the market and commercial establishments. Others still give guests the look and feel of old Baguio, which means lots of open spaces, lush greens, tall pine trees and the fresh scent of pine. Le Monet Hotel happens to be one such place.
Located inside Camp John Hay, which is said to be one of only a few places that still retains the original look and feel of the Baguio that a lot of people fell in love with, it stands right next to the Filling Station, a small complex made up of a few restaurants, near the entrance to Camp John Hay, so catching a ride to the city is just walking distance from the hotel. Also, right across the hotel is Camp John Hay’s open picnic area, which is a rolling terrain clothed with a carpet of green grass and towering pine trees, dotted with wooden picnic tables here and there. Visitors can just spread out picnic mats, laze around the area while relaxing and enjoying each other’s company, and share a lovely picnic lunch at one of the picnic tables nearby. It is also within close vicinity to popular tourist spots in the City of Pines, including the butterfly sanctuary, an eco-trail ideal for brisk walking or jogging in the morning, and a horseback-riding area.
A property of the ArtStream Hospitality Management Group Inc. (AHMGI), which owns and manages a number of hotel properties nationwide, Le Monet Hotel is all of six floors, but comes complete with a heated indoor pool, a fitness center and a spa, offering a full menu of massage, facial and body treatments. Named after French impressionist painter Claude Monet, the hotel boasts of artworks by some of the country’s best-known artists, such as Ang Kiukok, spread around the lobby and main hallway for guests to admire. It boasts of 70 luxurious rooms, which, aside from being equipped with all the modern conveniences that guests will look for in a hotel—including a small TV in the toilet/bath and, well, a thoughtful digitally controlled heated toilet bowl to boot.
Food is also one of the things that guests come to Le Monet Hotel for. It’s the only place in town where in-house guests can enjoy Eggs Benedict instead of just sunny side up egg, scrambled or omelette. The breakfast menu also boasts of a freshly made strawberry yogurt, local favorites, such as Baguio Longganisa and Pinakbet, to go with all other traditional breakfast fares. The hotel’s a la carte menu has also been crafted by celebrity Chef Robby Goco, and just recently, the hotel rolled out a whole new menu designed by AHMGI’s young and talented chef consultant Marie Jo “MJ” Camarista.
Chef MJ is a Filipino-Japanese and Spanish descent, and shuttles back and forth from New York, Europe and the Middle East for culinary consultancy work. Available at The Lobby, an all-day dining establishment that serves traditional Filipino and international favorites whipped up using fresh, locally sourced produce, her new menu consists of 24 new dishes to enjoy. These cover the whole range of appetizers, soups, salads and vegetables, sandwiches, pasta and noodles, fish and seafood, meat and poultry, and steak.
There are six new appetizers on the menu—Fried Calamari (served with tartare sauce), Le Monet Shrimp Cocktail, Shrimp Scampi Gambas, Salmon Tartare, Baked Brie (served with fruits, nuts and crostini, and is perfect for groups of diners) and Le Monet Tarts (in three variation The lone new soup item on the menu is Pistou, a vegetable soup that even nonvegetarians would love.
Chef MJ introduced four new salad and vegetable dishes to celebrate the bountiful fresh produce of Baguio. Check out this list: Oriental Chicken Almond Salad, Nicoise Salad, Shrimp & Watermelon Salad and Roasted Fresh Vegetables.
For diners who just want a light meal or a good merienda, Le Monet Hotel’s offers four new, delicious gourmet sandwiches—BLT (bacon lettuce and tomato), Grilled Chicken Pesto, Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Pan-seared Tuna Sandwich.
Also great for a light meal or merienda are pasta and noodle dishes, such as Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli and Shrimp Scampi Linguine.
For those, however, who want a full meal to keep them energized for an active day of fun out in Baguio, Chef MJ serves a huge US Department of Agriculture Certified Angus Beef Hanger Steak Onglet 12oz.; other meat and poultry dishes, such as Stuffed Lamb in Seasonal Vegetables and Twice-cooked Pork Knuckles; and fish and seafood options, like Almond Crusted Salmon, Char-grilled Tuna in Fresh Oregano, Shrimp Thermidore and Tilapia Gratin.
These should prove to be a good selection of fresh new flavors to enjoy while in Baguio.
Image credits: Rafael R. Zulueta