DINING | Charito by Bag of Beans: A destination unto itself

Just one of the many pretty spaces at Charito by Bag of Beans.

Bag of Beans restaurants are aplenty in Tagaytay, and opening another one may feel a tad too much already. But no, as their fifth one offers something different--at least in terms of design. Named after its owner, Charito by Bag of Beans attempts to "level up" its already templated formula by going a little upscale.

Had the chance to try this two year-old resto, and here's a rundown of our experience.

Interiors and ambiance
Originally a summer residence of some prominent family (I forgot which one), the property was converted into what is now Charito by Bag of Beans. It's a fairly huge, two-storey house that sits along the ridge and is fronted by a canopy of some really old trees and lush greenery.

The restaurant entrance.

The house remains intact although the interiors now sport a French-inspired design. The walls are predominantly white, save for the function rooms that each feature a different color. The tables, chairs, and decor likewise follow this charming French motif. It's a really pretty place, which, together with Tagaytay's cool breeze coming in, make for a wonderful ambiance.

First floor dining space.

They even have the furniture and decor down pat.

More dining space upstairs.

One of the function rooms, perfect for some private dining. Love the brown walls here.

Second floor dining area. Those chandeliers!

One of the bigger function rooms.

Can't say pretty enough, can I?

It would be a shame to have a restaurant in Tagaytay without al fresco dining now, wouldn't it? And Charito makes good use of the house's open spaces that offer a commanding view of the Taal Volcano and Lake. It was raining when we visited, though, so sorry. Nevertheless, that balustrade is just so grand.

Slippery when wet.

Didn't I say that the balustrade was just so grand?

The food and service
I almost forgot that this was a restaurant. Now this is where Charito somewhat falters. I don't mean that the food was bad or anything, just underwhelming.

The menu was a hodgepodge of dishes with no apparent association to the restaurant's beautiful interiors. They've got pancakes, sausages, salads, and sandwiches, but then you'll also find beef tapa, longganisa, and adobo. Then there's salads and pasta juxtaposed with lechon kawali and sisig. There's no coherent theme at all.

Anyway, I was intrigued by their prawns in tamarind sauce, so I ordered it. It was just okay. I could definitely taste the tamarind but the prawns weren't able to absorb much of the flavors. It was like prawns with a generous amount of thick sauce poured over. It could be improved, though. Kwittiegirl, on the other hand, had fish and chips, which looked...different. The batter looked a little weird. Again, the taste was just okay.

Prawns in tamarind sauce (Php 480).

Fish and chips (Php 380).

Apple pie (Php 165).

For dessert we had apple pie. I loved that it was piping hot and it basically tasted like how an apple pie should. This being a Bag of Beans place, coffee was good as expected.

Service was generally good, and waiting time for our orders was just about right. There's ample parking, too.

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In hindsight
Arguably the food may not be the best but it's easy to overlook that when you're treated to lovely interiors and a stunning view of the Taal Lake and Volcano. This is where Charito's charm lies. Regardless of how you view the food, it already is a destination unto itself. A decent meal may just be a plus.

Charito by Bag of Beans is located along Aguinaldo Highway in Tagaytay City. If you're coming from Sta Rosa, it's right before The Lake Hotel Tagaytay on the left side.

bagofbeans.ph/charito

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier...from the chandelier.

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Full menu of Charito by Bag of Beans below: