Once in a while you experience a restaurant and you just keep on coming back for more. More of the delectable food. More of the exquisite ambience. More of the intimate service.
It is not only the place; it is also the feeling that you get by just being there. Indeed, this is how Forest House was, when it was still open for business.
Forest House was that old house by the thick forest located at a sharp curve along Loakan Road near Camp John Hay in Baguio City. It was popular among tourists and locals alike.
For some, a trip to Baguio would never be complete without a meal enjoyed at the restaurant. For many, it was that favorite place to dine, to chill, to spend long afternoons of endless conversations and nostalgia, and to spend even longer nights filled with music and memories.
For tourists, it was simply that one place that should never be missed even on quick visits of a night or two in the city. For locals, it was that “date place” for special occasions.
Then came the pandemic that stopped the world. Almost all businesses closed down, especially dine-in restaurants, as nobody were allowed outside of their homes, except for healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, and delivery personnel of essential goods. This went on for months on end, forcing several establishments to permanently cease operations, including, unfortunately, Forest House.
An era, as they say, has ended. Nineteen years and no more. In the middle of 2020, the worst year in recent history, Forest House bid goodbye.
“In the middle of 2020, the worst year in recent history, Forest House bid goodbye.”
But life has a way of fighting, and winning. While things may never be the same again, they could survive and triumph in new ways. Before the year ended, Forest House came alive, albeit in another way. But you could still feel the love. And you could still feel the passion. You could still feel that old, familiar, unmistakable warmth. We felt all these, firsthand, in recent trips to Baguio City.
Forest House Reserve
It was a new year, January 2021. The total lockdowns were over, but the community quarantines were not completely dispensed with just yet. One of the first cities to open up for tourists was Baguio. Of course, there were several requirements that needed to be complied with before being allowed to visit. But of course, too, such compliance meant peace of mind amidst the chaos and confusion of the pandemic, so the entire process was very well worth the trouble.
We were really excited for this first ever vacation after a long hiatus. For avid travelers who take trips every month or two, more than nine months of staying at home was like being locked up. It was like this for us, but then no more. Finally, we decided to break free and go up the mountain, feel the cold, still stay mostly at home due to the continued concern and worry about the virus, but try our best to relive old favorites and maybe, perhaps, try new ones if there are any.
“On top of our list of old favorites was Forest House.”
On top of our list of old favorites was Forest House. But boom, it was already closed. Yes, that was the first time we found out that our cozy corner was already closed, and never reopened.
However, after further research, we discovered that, somehow, Forest House became creative and found another home at Venus Garden, a new place we knew nothing about. In no time at all, we tried to make a reservation, and immediately got one. There you go. From Forest House to Forest House Reserve. Reservation needs to be made 48 hours prior to the date of visit. Very exclusive and, more importantly, very safe and so secure, which are twin requirements that need to be prioritized in the new normal.
The new place was, well, new, and huge. It was not like that old house in the sharp curve. But the garden was nice, and the view nicer. The indoor area was also cozy enough, even with physical distancing. But then, again, more than the place was the people, and of course the food. We were treated like always, like usual, like family. And the food, from the soup, to the salad, to the main course, and to the dessert, were all special. There was just something above and beyond the ordinary. It could have been an herb, or spice, a smile, or story, the weather, or the wine. Whatever, everything was special, including the lights and the flowers.
Mission accomplished then. We have tried Forest House, or Forest House Reserve. On to the next adventure.
Raquel’s Cuisine
The first quarter was about to end, March 2021. Our company was obviously affected by the pandemic but fight we shall. There was no other way to win.
Like many other businesses, we struggled to survive. If we shall triumph, despite the never-ending difficulties and challenges of the emerging and evolving world, we needed to plan together, work together, and make things happen together. We boldly decided to conduct an out-of-town strategic planning session.
It was going to be the first time in almost a year that all of us in the company will see each other again as a whole. Since the total lockdown was imposed in March of 2020, we never got the chance again to regroup as a group, face-to-face. Even our Christmas Party was virtual.
Anyway, off we planned to go to no other place but Baguio City. Since we were going to lock ourselves up inside our strategic planning facility, an old but big residence with convenient and comfortable work areas for plenary sessions and breakout meetings, we needed a caterer who would take care of all our meals, from breakfast to lunch to dinner including snacks in between.
About a week prior to our activity, we were already scouting for recommendations, and doing our own respective search online. The truth is that the night before we left for Baguio, we already chose one, then picked another, then destiny happened. Out of the blue, in the middle of all these “change of minds”, we got a message from Forest House Reserve that they were already available for delivery, through Raquel’s Cuisine by Forest House. The rest, as they say, is history.
We finally made up our mind, withdrew the pending transaction we had with another, and immediately went for Raquel’s Cuisine. They were very light and easy, and so comfortable, to talk to. The choices they presented to us looked like a lot of thought went into the process of preparing our personalized menu. They gave us more than we could have ever asked for or hoped for. They just made the simple, special.
For three straight days and nights, we were treated to gourmet food in the comfort of our home. Above and beyond our expectations, not only in terms of taste (delicious would be a tame description) but also in terms of volume (the servings were hefty, to say the least). There were freebies, too, and everybody loves freebies, especially if they were as lip-smacking and mouthwatering as the oatmeal raisin cookies and raisin cinnamon breads that we got.
One final touch that made all our meals exciting were all those words of wisdom (in paper and toothpick) that came with every food pack. Everybody could not wait for the next one, and the next one, and the next one. There was just a different message each time, and one by one we recited them before munching on our food, and many among us brought them little and lovely things home with us.
All throughout this feast, the owner of the catering service herself was very kind, very generous, very personal, and almost motherly, making sure all things big and small were the best or even better, and more. She was almost like with us the entire time, far enough so as not to seem intrusive, near enough so we can feel the love and care.
In the end, we were all happy not only with the food, but also with what we have all accomplished together as one company, as one family, up there in the mountain where we tried to reach for our dreams.
In the end, we realized that there was nothing we could not do together, even if sometimes this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic was overwhelming as hell, as likewise shown by the shining example of Forest House closing its doors but opening a new window as Forest House Reserve and Raquel’s Cuisine by Forest House.
“In the end, as we have inspired each other to move forward together, we were also inspired by someone whom we do not really know and someone whom we have never met.”
In the end, as we have inspired each other to move forward together, we were also inspired by someone whom we do not really know and someone whom we have never met. Amidst the health and economic crisis, she willed herself to get back up for her dedicated employees, for her loyal patrons, and for her loving family.
“She willed herself to get back up for her dedicated employees, for her loyal patrons, and for her loving family.”
Now we know that the heavens may fall, but those who have faith shall always rise again. Now we know the secret of Forest House: Tita Raquel Verzosa. She is the “more”. More of the delectable food, even if they are in food packs. More of the exquisite ambience, even if it is in the comfort of your own home. More of the intimate service, even if it is in the form of freebies or words of wisdom on paper and toothpick. She is, undoubtedly, the reason why we keep on coming back for more. You should, too.