The Hidden Garden

Within a busy campus, there resides a serene garden hidden in the heart of UP Diliman. Filled with green plants and blossoming flowers, this humble abode is the perfect place for a peaceful meal.

Day after valentines, Gracie and I decided to have dinner in UP. The place is situated within a residential area and it is very easy to miss for it is literally covered in trees and green plants. Lucky for us, it was night time when we got there and their signboard was lit.

There is ample space outside for parking. Though darkness engulfs the surroundings, there is the friendly kuya guard to which you could entrust your vehicle. And I did. Iniwan ko muna si beck (kotse ko) dun.


AMBIANCE

Seemingly a portal to another world, the passageway to the Verde is decorated with greens. This short pass leads to the dining area. Simple but well decorated, this area is open to the cool breeze of the open air. There is a mini-waterfall on the side and a series of paintings on the other. Everywhere you look, your eyes will be filled with blossoming life.

The place is lively and yet relaxing. Every table is a candle light set-up with a freshly cut flower as the centerpiece. Sayang lang hindi kita ung buwan. The place is housed in a hut-like structure with wooden posts. Above, you will see decorations: dangling heart shapes and wind chimes.


FOOD and SERVICE

Gutom na kami. hehe.. We ordered Paella. It is stuffed with shrimp, crab meat, shells and other spices. We planned to order a second dish but didn't. Pang dalawa na daw yung serving ng Paella. Baka di namin maubos.



It took about 15 to 20 minutes to cook our order. We waited a bit and talked about the place. Ang kulang nalang sa kanya ay slow background music and a small dance floor. hehe..

Our dish was served hot. We ate. it was my first time to eat paella and it was great. Sabi din ni Gracie masarap ung paella. hehe.. naubos namin.



Dessert na! Since we still have a little room to spare in our digestive track, we ordered dessert. It was called mango something.. I forgot. It's made of mango and strawberry bits rolled in lumpia-like wrappers, dressed with sweet caramel syrup, topped with ice cream and cotton candy. It was a valentines special dessert. Who would have thought manggo and strawberry bits in lumpia wrappers could taste so delicious?!


THE VERDE

The place is called Chateau Verde. It is one of the fine dine restaurants inside the UP Diliman campus.