VOGUE: Tagaytay’s next dining destination serves up refreshing ambiance and nostalgic fare
By The Vogue Team - Vogue | March 15, 2024
Welcome Home: My Country House is the Tagaytay Sanctuary with a Side of Nostalgia
Serving up a welcoming ambiance with open-air architecture, a sprawling garden, and a free-flowing waterfall to accompany home-cooked feasts, My Country House Tagaytay is the next dining destination near the city.
Recently added to the impressive portfolio of the Wisniewski Family, founders of the Raintree Hospitality Group, the restaurant was originally a traditional rest house before being turned into a 130-seater culinary oasis. It was a collective effort between the Wisniewski family–matriarch Mrs. Annabella and her sons Andrej and Martin–and Chef Arnold Gozon, together with his culinary team, to transform vision into reality in just a matter of months.
The main dining area, which houses a well-stocked bar to the left, and a retail area near the entrance where diners can purchase pastries, cakes, and locally made souvenir items or pasalubong.
Guests are treated to a refreshing al-fresco dining experience in the Terrace.
A distinct family charm echoes through the whole space, from the bright natural light to the heritage dishes, which is exactly what Mrs. Wisniewski was aiming for. “If you ask my children, they’ll say it looks exactly like my house,” Mrs. Wisniewski shares, to which Martin wholeheartedly agrees. “I wanted a place where people can relax, feel at home, just enjoy the food and their company. That’s what a home should be,” she proudly declares.
The garden, with over 50 different species of flora, is available for events.
While the Wisniewskis worked together to build the vision for My Country House, it was up to Executive Chef Arnold Gozon to create a menu that reflects refined country cuisine and a more sophisticated approach to heirloom dishes. The menu, which is a collaboration of the Wisniewskis and Chef Arnold, is inspired by classic Western cuisine and familial memories showcasing their heritage.
One of Chef Arnold Gozon’s specialties is paella, which comes in four variants.
The mouthwatering steak to share is a bone-in U.S. Angus Ribeye dry-aged for 21 days and served with garlic confit, roasted tomato topped with Maldon Salt.
“We want to serve familiar flavors, food most of us grew up with — something that will bring back good memories just like how it reminds us of our own family,” Martin shares. “With this dream project, our goal is to provide a respite, an escape just a quick drive from Metro Manila. We want people to feel at home when they visit, spend time, walk around, explore, and just enjoy being together.”
My Country House is located at #115 Pulong Sagingan Street, Brgy. Maitim, 2nd West, Tagaytay City. The restaurant is open daily, Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Reservations are highly encouraged via 0917 875 1154 (Viber) or call/SMS 0960 456 6873. For regular updates, follow My Country House on Facebook and Instagram.
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