My Country House: Welcome Home

Tucked away in a serene countryside setting, My Country House is a charming escape that brings the warmth and richness of rural home cooking to life. Inspired by the bountiful countryside retreats of the world’s most beloved culinary destinations, this restaurant embraces the farm-to-table philosophy with freshly harvested vegetables, ethically raised livestock, and house-baked bread that carry the essence of tradition and family.

I was already familiar with Farmer’s Table, their well-loved sister restaurant that started the farm-to-table concept, but little did I know that just a few steps away stood another hidden gem, offering not just a meal, but a homey, countryside experience. Thanks to my mom’s friend who invited us! I finally got to discover My Country House for myself.

Here, guests are encouraged to slow down, savor their meals, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere, complete with lush gardens and birdsong.

Burrata & Beets

Girl, the appetizers here all sounded new to me. Reading the descriptions, I could tell that the fusion of ingredients felt like something invented in this very kitchen. When I saw one of my favorite cheeses, I had to try the Burrata & Beets. The dish arrived with a fine-dining presentation inspired by a garden theme. It was another opportunity for them to showcase their farm-to-table approach, which gave the dish a delicate and fresh quality. The combination of creamy burrata, juicy beets, and cool herbs was unusual but surprisingly refreshing. The nutty touch of pistachios brought everything together beautifully.

Tableside Kale & Romaine Caesar Salad

I never thought in my life that a salad, specifically, a Caesar Salad, would stand out during dinner. My Country House made this dish extra special by preparing the dressing and tossing the greens tableside, right before us. This process had several advantages. It guaranteed the absence of preservatives and highlighted the evident freshness of the ingredients. Watching the preparation made me realize that the dressing was indeed made with raw egg. Although the cheese was only lightly drizzled, its saltiness dominated the salad, making it more enjoyable to eat. The greens, however, were slightly bitter.

Lengua Estofado

While My Country House’s vegetable dishes leaned toward a bland profile due to the avoidance of additives, their meat dishes packed a strong punch of flavors to the point that rice was needed to balance the intensity. Their Lengua Estofado is a prime example. If the dish were slightly diluted, it would be perfect. The ox tongue was so tender and flavorful that, for a moment, we questioned whether it was really tongue. It almost felt like beef or even corned beef. The sauce was both creamy and beefy, and honestly, the sauce alone was enough to satisfy my taste buds.

Paella Negra

Just like the Lengua Estofado, this dish had an intensely bold flavor. Well, it’s paella, after all. It’s known for absorbing flavors and delivering deep, rich taste. The rice fully captured the essence of squid, making it enjoyable on its own. However, I wish they had included more squid toppings, as the ratio of seafood to rice wasn’t balanced even though the rice was only in a thin layer. It also would’ve been better if they had added a greater variety of seafood instead of just squid. That said, I still enjoyed the slight crunch of the rice and the aroma of the aioli that tied everything together.

Pacific Scallops, Tiger Prawns, Salmon & Calamari Brochettes

I appreciated that these seafood skewers were simply seasoned with salt and a hint of spice, allowing the natural flavors of the seafood to shine. The scallops retained their briny taste, while the calamari had the texture of Ika Sashimi. It’s so fresh that it was slightly chewy, almost like eating raw squid. The salmon was a bit overcooked for my liking, which dulled its delicate fishy notes. The prawns, on the other hand, were juicy, mild, and slightly sweet. Grilled vegetables completed the dish. As for the sauces, we weren’t familiar with them, but their tangy notes paired well with the seafood.

Strawberry & Mango | Butterfly Iced Tea

I’ve had butterfly pea-infused drinks before, but they were always flavored with something else. This time, I tried it in its pure tea form, and it tasted lovely. When mixed with fruit tea blends and lemonade, the flavors became more complex, but the balance of floral and fruity notes still worked well. The Strawberry & Mango Iced Tea had an incredibly natural taste that it leaned more on the tangy side. This just proves that strawberries in the Philippines tend to be sour. There were no artificial sweeteners, and the sugar syrup was served separately. At first, the tanginess was a bit much, but eventually, I got used to it and even got addicted to its lemonade-like zest.

Brazo Cheesecake

I wasn’t able to take a photo of the Brazo Cheesecake slice on our table because, by the time I finished my meal, my companions had already started eating it. So instead, I can just show you the whole cake displayed on their counter. I managed to get the last bite, and wow! The baked cheesecake topped with soft, cloud-like meringue greeted my palate. The balance of sweetness and cheesiness made me think it would be too rich, but then I caught a subtle hint of lemon essence that cut through the heaviness. To be honest, it was an impressive dessert.