It was a rare just the two-of us date with my hubby last weekend so I requested to have lunch al fresco because we don’t dine in nowadays. It would be nice not to eat inside the car or at home. So he obliged even if he’s not too fond of non-aircon places (sorry!) and opted to go to one of my favorite restaurants because of its outdoor ocean vibe, Harbor View restaurant. It is a gem for me since I like being near the ocean. Of course, it’s not the same as dining near an actual beach but having an expansive view of the water is enough for my mental health. It’s just sad though that this time I saw some floating debris in the water. I hope we clean up our ocean and shores seriously to preserve our marine life and our tourist spots.
But going back, I didn’t want to dwell on it too much because that day was a treat for us, taking time off work and other responsibilities. Having a beach getaway was also not an option because the weather was erratic. So on this meal, I ordered what I might order if I’m on a beach holiday.
I ordered fresh buko juice which was surprisingly chilled with its coconut meat inside shiny and gelatinous that you could scrape it off with a spoon. It was windy that day too which made sipping on it more enjoyable.
I also had the tanigue steak which was cooked in butter with corn, carrots and peas on the side. It tasted fresh, not the type that got stuck long in the fridge. It was also tender and had a slice of calamansi you could squeeze on top of to add some refreshing contrast plus a dipping sauce
For my vegetable order, I had their steamed broccoli with garlic bits that had this sesame-like flavored sauce which I liked. It gave this broccoli dish more flair. Maybe I’ll try to recreate it at home since it is a different take on cooking broccoli for me.
The grilled pusit for me reminded me most of the beach. And this one was surprisingly tender maybe because it was smaller than the usual ones and was cooked well because I think if you overcook one, it will become rubbery. But this one was cooked just right and stuffed with chopped tomatoes, onions and some spicy herbs. It also tasted fresh like it was freshly caught and was well-seasoned too.
I also ordered their fruit platter which was huge, good for 5 people I think but we had it to go and was not able to take a photo of it. But it was a good variety of fruits comprised of slices of apples, oranges, pineapple, watermelon and papaya.
Overall, it was a good lunch and the strong ocean breeze that day was a welcome surprise. It’s nice to know that we have places like Harbor View in the city that has a view of the ocean while dining, one where you can also see the beautiful sunset of Manila Bay if the weather is favorable. I know because I had my birthday here this year. It is also a place where you can enjoy good food while talking to friends and family, a place you can take your mind off things and enjoy the view.
