Restaurant review: A spring menu and rooms with a view at Qiwellness Living

From afar, the big crimson front door seemed like part of a private residence. It wasn't until I saw the sign saying Qiwellness Living (qi is pronounced “chee”) that my interest was piqued by this discreet Tagaytay destination.

Once inside, a picturesque view of Taal Lake and Volcano welcomed me and my dinner mates. It was a bit foggy when we arrived late in the afternoon, but I could still see the faint silhouette of the famous peak.

I turned to my immediate surroundings—modest interiors with Chinese-inspired furnishings and décor. The entrance is on the third level where we somehow got a closer view of the volcano, compared to the perspective from the lower level.

The dining area with its 18-seater table and chairs with two-meter-high backs was the first thing I noticed when I entered the establishment. We were told that it was inspired by the Ming Dynasty, when the Chinese would wear heavy fur coats and hang them on the back of the chairs.

Before sitting down for dinner, we toured the place. There was a bathhouse area with yin and yang pools—the one with darker tiles had hot water, while the one with lighter-colored tiles had cold water—and a koi pond with a background of cascading water. The Chinese believe that carp bring in good luck and fortune, and it’s also relaxing to watch the fish swim around.

A short saunter to the den revealed a room that, according to co-owner Ken Tuason, was designed like the opium dens in China. The subdued red-hued lighting gave a mysterious look and feel to the area. The lighting fixtures that looked like lanterns and the ornate ceramic stools added more to the den’s character.

Another must-see is the teahouse on the second level, my favorite area in the whole establishment. It had Chinese-inspired architecture—from its roof tiles to the wall peppered with teapots. Simple yet classy. I was told that Budji Layug and Royal Pineda were the designers.

Apart from serving hot tea and dimsum, the teahouse also serves unique cocktails with a touch of Asian flair. As I sipped my Green Tea Mojito while taking in the view, I wondered how come I never set foot in this establishment until now? Qiwellness Living officially opened in September 2014, and has since been offering both spa treatments and fine food.

A gastronomic journey of East meets West

There’s a plethora of dining options in Tagaytay, but Qi is far from any other ordinary dining destination. First of all, it has a tasting menu that changes seasonally, going with the four seasons of China. I had a chance to sample the 9-course Yin-Yang menu for spring, which featured colorful greens and relatively lighter meal options.

It started with a series of attractive appetizers. First was an elegant plate of eel, apple, turnip and banana heart. I thought the presentation seemed like something that you would see in a hotel. It’s fine dining without the stuffy ambience. Then came the soup appetizer and salmon gravlax, which I found interesting because of the citrus pearls that looked like salmon roe.

“Nothing is traditional. It’s fusion all the way,” Tuason said of the cuisine. “The intention is to give another alternative to Tagaytay.” Qi’s fine food features locally sourced ingredients cooked using modern techniques.

The tofu soufflé was one of my favorites of the night because I’ve never had tofu like this before. It was baked in a pastry shell and the consistency was like soft cheese. Yummy and less fatty! My palate also found the pasta dish fascinating because it was served with a 63-degree egg yolk that oozed into the sauce once you break it. It made the sauce rich and it incorporated well with the salty flavor of the sea urchin.

Meat lovers would relish the flank steak served on top of a hot stone, the duck served in a pancake sandwich with plum sauce, and the breaded lamb breast with risotto and veggies.

I’m not really a carnivore; in fact, I have been avoiding meat for health reasons, but I finished everything placed in front of me. I didn’t expect the lamb to be my top dish of the night, but its melt-in-your-mouth texture won me over.

The finale was a light dessert of sorbet with fruits, nuts and edible flowers—a good way to end a memorable meal.

The tasting menu is perfect for first-time visitors who want small bites of the establishment’s a la carte offerings. Make sure to get some wine to fully enjoy your meal like what we did.  

Guests may still catch the spring menu until mid-June, before Qiwellness Living changes to its summer menu with more cold starters. It’s best to make a reservation in advance for either lunch or dinner. Maybe next time, I’ll set a date with my hubby for a romantic getaway there. I could imagine dining under the stars and basking in the cool weather while we treat ourselves to a gourmet supper. — BM, GMA News