I feel strongly about words like ‘road less traveled’, ‘discover’, ‘explore’, ‘risk’, ‘spontaneous’. I maybe a true representative of my sign – Sagittarius – as a good friend has remarked. Lol. Be it true or not, it is by following the off the beaten path that I get to experience more of a place, and usually these nooks and crannies will surprise you with its hidden gems – case in point Laguna’s Chef Mau & Café Arabela.
Who would have thought that in an outskirt town on the foot of Mt Banahaw you’ll find two very distinct but pretty awesome restos. Liliw, Laguna boast more than its famous tsinelas lane and wide assortment of locally made good quality slippers, sandals & espadrilles, Liliw also has these two gems:
Chef Mau Luto Ni Tatay Sa Bungkol
I’m salivating just thinking about their Thai Tilapia. I really am hahaha. I miss Chef Mau, I make it a point to eat at Chef Mau whenever I am visiting Liliw. They serve Filipino and fusion dishes at incredibly low price. No kidding! Thai Tilapia cost only P95.00! Chef Mau is located in Brgy Bungkol it’s a bit out of the way for an already out of the way town lol. It will take about 20 minutes if you choose to walk from Liliw town center to there, you can also hail a tricycle that can take you to the restaurant for just P8.00/pax so why walk right? If you have a vehicle it’s even easier and getting lost is not an option! You can’t possibly miss it for the bahay kubo designed restaurant is like a sore thumb sticking out in the middle of nothingness but coconuts & lanzones trees hehehhe. Simply follow the road to Sta Cruz, Chef Mau is by the roadside. They are opened from 8am to 8:30pm.
Why is Chef Mau special? Maybe because the menu is developed by the owner Chef Mau himself, a well-known chef in Manila and a restaurateur, just google him up for info, his is an inspiring story. Anyhow back to Chef Mau Luto Ni Tatay Sa Bungkol – their cooks are trained by him and sometimes when you are lucky, he will be there slaving it in the kitchen but that’s a rare occasion though hehe.
Pancit con lechon
Me & my friends tries to make Chef Mau as part of our day’s IT whenever we found ourselves working in Upper Laguna. Talagang mura at masarap!
Highly recommended from their menu according to my friends’ tastebuds:
UNANIMOUS CHOICE from CHEF MAU: Thai Tilapia!!! (P95.00)
Masarap talaga ang Thai Tilapia ng Chef Mau as in recommended. Promise. =)
other must try dishes:
ube creme brulee / pork stuffed eggplant / sinigang / chicken cordon bleu / pancit con lechon / spicy laing / ensalada pako / shanghai tinapa
shucks nagugutom tuloy ako nag lilist hahahha
CAFE ARABELA —> Liliw’s Cafe Arabela 🙂, another hidden gem tucked in the quaint town, just a street away from the main Tsinelas Lane. Hope you also get to try their yummy food!
sis, ur blog makes me wanna go back to Liliw… now na!!!! 🙂 hahaha i really miss eating in these restos with my fab friends!!! 😉 oh, i didn’t know u would be writing about Cafe Arabela too… I have pics there with the group… but just like in Chef Mau… ubos na rin ang food! we could not help it! so yummy! 😉 hihi miss u sissy. tc!
miss you jen *hugs* and ka-miss ang Liliw with their Chef Mau & Arabela! ikain mo nalang ako pag magawi ka uli ng liliw hehhehe
hi chef mau, hope you will read my message. kumain kme sa resto mo sa liliw then meron din part sa upper deck. sobrang tgal ng inatay nmin 1.10 sobrang tgal. hndi na nmin kinain ung pncit lechon kse ppauwi pa kme ng manila. and, ung crew nyo hndi mgalang and hndi marunong sa customer service. hope u will take action on this