Sonya's Garden Country Bed and Breakfast, Freshness and Fine Dine-in, Inside the Garden.

At the Entrance, it is Sonya's Garden but looking at the Menu, it still has its old name that is Sonya's Secret Cottage Restaurant Inc.

From the gate, it will be quite a long walk going to the main restaurant, but just like what the name suggests, it is like touring in a garden until you found the dining area at the center of the garden.

Sonya's Garden is located at Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite 4123, Cavite Philippines

I was so thirsty when we were on our way to Sonya's Garden, and it was like an answered prayer when the waiter immediately served us freshly squeezed dalandan juice. Longing for something to drink, the juice just tasted so heavenly. Served as bottomless, it is part of the set meal/ eat all you can at a reasonable price.

The color of freshly harvested lettuce and arugula is overwhelming. Though I am not really the type that will crave for vegetable salad, this one is something I can't just ignore. This is like a create your own salad, the add-ons were served in separate saucers such as the sliced mango, broad beans, sliced eggs, cucumber, Jackfruit, pineapple, and corn. They also included fruits that are in season. The choice of salad dressing is also served on the table, they called one special dressing as Sonya's secret salad dressing, and the other one is Balsamic vinegar/extra virgin olive oil. How refreshing, to think that the vegetables were really freshly picked up from the garden.

Sonya's garden is also known for their freshly baked bread, in fact, it has its own Panaderia (bakery) and they really invite customers to visit the place and try their specialties. Anyway I love bread, especially when served with different dips that I personally called gourmet fillings. The child in me came out for a while, I always love cheese and basil pesto, but the mushroom pate, black olive tapenade, anchovies and bruschetta tomato toppings are also worthy of my attention. Wish I can eat more but I need to reserve a room for the main meal and dessert. We are just starting I know..

Pasta was immediately served after the starters. This is also like a make your own pasta because all the toppings/add-ons served can be mixed altogether and the tastes are still excellent. I am a pasta lover and although I consider myself above average in cooking pasta and sauces, it is not a reason for me not to get excited with the two pasta sauces served before me. Sauces were the common red and white, red representing the sun-dried tomato, and the white as the chicken cream.

The add-ons were black olives, capers, shitake mushroom and salmon belly. You can mix them in your pasta depending on your taste and choices. Parmesan cheese is always available.

I was so full I can't even finish my pasta, thanks to Tarragon Tea, it lessens the feeling of fullness so I can still make room for dessert. I found this leave really amazing, unlike other teas that I know this fresh leave can be an instant tea by adding hot water to it in a cup. It has a fresh scent and has pleasant taste.

At Sonya' Garden, It is served in a small cup but you can ask for more.

Desserts were served along with the Tarragon tea. The sinful looking chocolate cake came from the Garden's Panaderia (bakery). Other desserts were Banana rolls with sesame seed and sweetened jackfruit, it looks like small turon (sweet banana spring rolls) and Glazed Sweet Potato. I am not a fan of chocolate cake so even if it looks so tempting, I did not try it anymore, but I ate a piece of banana rolls and a small piece of sweet potatoes. Except for the chocolate cake, the other desserts were traditional Filipino sweets.

Sonya's Garden is more than satisfying your hunger and cravings. It also offers healing touch and relaxation. I only discussed the restaurant side of Sonia's Garden, particularly the classic buffet which costs around P 683.00 ( in Philippine Peso or $12.85). There are optional dishes that you may wish to add to your buffet such as:

• Prime Angus Ribeye Steak (Php 1,500.00)
• Grilled Chilean Sea Bass (Php 1,200.00)
• Chipirones en su Tinta in Olive Oil (Php 750.00)
• Tendon Callos in Olive Oil (Php 750.00)
• Braised Chicken with Potatoes (Php 728.00)
• Herbed Roast Chicken (Php 554.00)

They also offer a breakfast buffet that they called "Rustic Breakfast Buffet", that costs 560.00 per head in Philippine Peso or $10.52. This breakfast buffet is available daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 am only.

Bed and Breakfast

If you want to just have a relaxing weekend Sonya's garden offers a bed and breakfast package. Unlike the typical cozy bedrooms, rooms at Sonya's Garden have no air- conditioning unit and television sets. Rooms have windows that show views of natures and also welcome fresh air coming inside the room. Bed and breakfast package comes with free full breakfast.

SPA

If you want to be kind to yourself try the Spa to experience the healing power of touch

Shops

You can visit the Panaderia to buy freshly baked breads, Country store for some Philippine or native stuff, Oil essesntials or the Apothecary, buy souvenirs and Coffee Table Book.