‘Ecotherapy’ dining anyone? Try Raintree Hospitality Group’s newly opened Tagaytay restaurant

By Raquel P. Gomez -July 1, 2021

Ecotheraphy or nature therapy is a current trend. Spending time in nature is a relaxing activity, particularly during these pandemic times. But there’s also growing evidence that the natural environment can help relieve symptoms of both physical and psychological in nature.

Places or destinations that feature ecotherapy have recently sprouted, with many of them just outside of Metro Manila, or mere hours drive away from constricting urban jungle.

One recently opened establishment located in Tagaytay has its own take on “ecotherapy” dining.

Raintree Hospitality Group, the name behind restaurants such as Saboten, Providore, and Chotto Matte, has opened its first restaurant in Tagaytay City called the Farmer’s Table.

The project was developed when wellness advocate Cathy Brillantes Turvill offered a prime location for an alfresco garden restaurant within her expansive Tagaytay estate.

Turvill owns Nurture Wellness Village, a premier spa and wellness center in Tagaytay.

The Farmer’s Table is Raintree Hospitality’s response to the stresses of living through a pandemic. Putting up an ecotherapy restaurant inside Nurture Wellness Village was a unique opportunity the group didn’t want to miss, according to Annabella Wisniewski, Raintree Hospitality Group chairperson.

“It became more meaningful during the pandemic as we are able to help alleviate the plight of many struggling people through job creation, and at the same time help lift the low morale of the community through a new and vibrant project,” she said.

The al fresco restaurant is a must-try escape from city living as it features only the freshest vegetables and herbs from Nurture Farmacy, the wellness center’s very own organic farm. The owners shared that the restaurant is their own way of living the locavore way, focusing on fresh and sustainable produce that’s not just good for the body but also for the mind.

Seasoned corporate chef and restaurateur Kalel Chan is the one behind the restaurant’s deliciously healthy dishes.

The Farmer’s Table also aims to support neighboring farmers and suppliers to help boost the local economy.

For example, the restaurant sources its ingredients from crops grown at the farm. Meats and seafood are sourced from surrounding areas in Tagaytay, such as beef and seafood from Batangas, coffee and longganisa from Amadeo. And a local brewery named Monkey Eagle located very near the restaurant supplies the beer, according to Martin Wisniewski, vice president of the Raintree Hospitality Group.

The Farmer’s Table has three sections. The Boutique Market serves local delicacies, Nurture Wellness signature products, and the weekend pop-up store for the freshest fruits and vegetables from the local area. The Artisanal Baker offers freshly made breads and pastries, as well as a coffee and juice bar. The Garden Bistro houses the main dining hall and events garden terrace, which is a perfect venue for intimate celebrations and small gatherings or meetings away from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila.

Diners and shoppers at the Farmer’s Table will experience the best that nature has to offer with its extensive menu filled with uniquely delicious fare. Its highly recommended Hothouse Cauliflower & Broccoli served Buffalo-style, or its signature Mr. Jones Tapa, stone-fired pizza, and Banana Hazelnut French Toast with Peanut Brittle and Fresh Cream are just some of them.

The restaurant also has its own twists to Tagaytay favorites like Bulalo and Fried Tawilis, as well as vegan-friendly options like their Caesar Salad and Plant-based Burger.

For people itching to travel safely outside Metro Manila, the Farmer’s Table offers more reasons to escape the city.

“We knew a lot of our guests from our Manila restaurants could not travel abroad or even to farther provinces, so we thought this would be the perfect al fresco, pandemic-friendly kind of place. Tagaytay is close enough to Metro Manila to travel for the day or the weekend where most city dwellers could get much needed breathing space and indulge in tasty, fresh food,” says Wisniewski.