Saturday, November 17, 2012

SULYAP: A Glimpse of the Past

Sulyap, a Filipino word said the least nowadays, which means glance or glimpse, is the name of this place, that would give you the creeps as a first impression.  An erstwhile compound which used to be a school, which became an office for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, now has the Cafe, BnB and Art Gallery. 
Thus, Sulyap Gallery Cafe.
This blog post is a walk to an era beyond youth's comprehension.   A world where dust have time and again played beyond significance in antiquating collections.
This is also my first time to do a photo-blog walk.  It's located in the hallow town of San Pablo, Laguna.  The journey here is another of those pinch of the moment thing with the family. 
You can even see how the plants have grown so big in time.   But with the pots, getting huge is another thing.   Just changing the feel of this nostalgic venue.
The facade of this old-structure tends to remind me of my lola's house in Bohol, in olden times though.  As most of the old buildings have undergone face-lifts, this one was retained by the owners in its original form.
This would be a haven for photographers, for every spot is picture-perfect, that is, if you fancy the old-style.  The place is off the beaten track, preserving its mystery, shrouded y huge plants, high cemented wall and gate similar to that of some Filipino horror movies.  But of course, I didn't tell my kids that, they might not enter the compound.






 On our way to my parents' friends who's family is based in San Pablo, we saw their signage.  I have seen a photo blog about the place and I found it interesting and a go to place for ancestral structures and art.   After a well-spent day with my teenage-friends in our place, at Monte Nevoso Resort, in Los Banos, we detoured for a while and what a good spur of the moment decision.
We pursued an affair for a gastronomic experience after the heart-stopping (hair-raising) excursion around the Cocoland Compound.  Initially, we planned to stop by for cups of Joe, till we found out they have a great number of interesting stuff on the menu.
 The kids just got to have this.  Their version maybe of Carbonara, listed as Pasta with white sauce (P175).  A serving can feed two kids so we asked the wait-staff to divide in between the two girls.
 The Calamares and Chips ( P 280) came in next, which we thought would be good to partner with the kid's pasta.  Though not looking like rings, it still was done gorgeously, with soft and perfectly cooked octopus meat  and a crunchy shell.   probably not a good idea having potato chips with it, if they want to attain the best old-world menu.  A Filipino salad or a vegetable side dish would go far better.

 As advised by the wait-staff, the Kulawong Puso (P 310) is a must to have when dining at the cafe.  Though a bit expensive for a vegetable viand, we ordered it anyway.  One reason would  be feeding our curiosity (literally), another is the story behind the dish.  Made out of banana blossom (puso ng saging), the dish is said to be a heritage in San Pablo, one of the dish authentic to the province.  I've tried cooking with it and have tasted a few dish similar to this, but what makes this dish different is how it was prepared.   The blossoms are smoked (not braised or boiled) then chopped to tiny bits, then cooked in coconut cream till the oil comes out from the coconut cream.  It was the best choice I have made for months of dining out.   The creaminess of the sauce, blending with the bits of the blossoms with a kaleidoscope of flavor, from the sweet, a lil' spice, and a hint of vinegar clinging to the crunchy vegetable.  Topped with slices of grilled pork belly makes this dish a winner at top Flipino cuisine contender.   A choice of eggplant for the Kulawong can be good with two to three cups of steamed rice.
 My kids had their regular ice cream fix here as well,   One had chocolate with same syrup and the other had simple vanilla.  Not that relic eh.
 After a sumptuous take on San Pablo's finest Spanish-Filipino cuisine, we were able to see the gallery, located in front of the cafe.   Good thing they closes at 9 pm.   Usually a visit inside would cost an adult, P100 and P50 for a child, but for guests at the BnB and cafe diners, it's for free.
 The antique collection is owned by Mr. Arthur Reyes, Sulyap co-owner Mr. Rey P. Empalmado. 
 








 This tour indeed was a lesson learned out of the school premiss, giving my kids a rare glimpse of the so-called past.   Above all, we had a fun and unforgettable  moment.

Sulyap Gallery Cafe
Brgy. Del Remedio, Cocoland Compound, San Pablo, Laguna
Contact Number:  (049) 562 9740 or 5629735
Website: www.sulyap.net






22 comments:

  1. We love this kind of setting, it would be nice for romantic dinner in Sulyap!

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  2. The place reminded me of La Cocina de Tita Moning. The food looks promising, hope I'd be able to dine here soon!

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    1. I'd yet to try La Cocina de Tita Moning. Though the food are far dsicriminating from each other, it hink.

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  3. you clearly enjoyed the place... i want to visit this place anytime soon to take pictures and of course take those sumptuous foods that you mentioned...

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    1. Indeed! the photos will tell you how much the place have endeared my heart.

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  4. The setting is like dining in a museum . . . . lol
    The food looks good though. I am a carbonara type of person and I will surely like to try theirs and the banana blossom dish seems intriguing. I would love to taste it too =)

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  5. I would love to go there if I successfully found my own soulmate^__^

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    1. Hey you don't have to find one first, go there anytime with friends and family.

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  6. I'd love to visit this soon! :) Just love how the place looks so interesting, plus it seems like they serve good food.

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  7. Ang ganda ng settings for a romantic and memorable dinner date.

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  8. Combination of great gallery of art works, antiques and delectable dishes. Great adventure with kids indeed. A fun way to enjoy the past and the present.

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  9. Old houses always give me this kind of creepy feeling. But this one, it looks awesome. =) And oh, the foods!

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  10. Looks really nice. Though its feel creepy everytime I'm in old places like this. I hope to be able to do a photo blog walk too.

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  11. Ang ganda ng place at mga antique.Me and hubby loves to collect antique stuff. he will be happy to see this place.

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  12. I've always been interested in old houses and old styled houses.

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  13. I like the concept and the ambiance. I think I heard about it before, now I wanna try it too!

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  14. Wowww, I want to have an ancestral home like that! Here I go again, wanting things that can't be found in Manila. I've always been fascinated with anything that originates from provinces. So I really want to have a taste of that Kulawong Puso.

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  15. You know what? I LOVE old things, houses, places -- anything old. I think I should be living in a whole different era. :D I definitely want to visit this place soon and have a photo-walk of my own! It looks gorgeous!

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    1. Us too! There is something about the past being well-preserved. Though we don't own any antiques, but we do appreciate them, that's why we are always on a look out for places like this.

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