Dining in at Liliw - Arabela

 During the planning stage of our trip in Laguna, I usually encounter ARABELA during my google search. So when we went to Liliw, Laguna having lunch at Arabela is at our bucket list.

Arabela is a family restaurant owned by the Camellos located at Rizal St. in Liliw, Laguna. The family restaurant was not the first business of the Camellos. Just like the whole neighborhood in Gat Tayaw Street, they also have a shoe store. Their first menus are consisting of pasta and pastries that are intended to be sold to tourist. When the family saw that the demand for their food was increasing they then decided to open a coffee shop cum restaurant in October of 2003. Since then it started to grow more. Their menu now includes pizzas, salads and steaks.

When we went to Arabela, during our visit in Liliw it was still closed; the store opens at 11:15 a.m. Although it was still closed, we saw that there are already two groups waiting outside the store. We then go back to shopping for slippers and shoes. When we returned to Arabela at around 11:30 am, we are now at the waiting list. The staff are very accommodating that they will assist you in your needs while waiting.

We did not wait that long to be seated and while we are waiting, we already placed our order. The waiter recommended trying their pizza and steaks. We then ordered for a Quesong Puti and Supreme. I tried their penne pasta while my sister ordered for lasagna. Our two friends ordered for their steak.

Arabela staff busy preparing the meal

We also did not wait long for our orders to be served. Both of the pastas were served topped with rich béchamel sauce with toasted bread on the side. The pastas are both creamy and cheesy. The pizza is also served afterwards, though the pizza looked very simple. In a little while the steaks were served. According to my friends, the steak was very tender and juicy.

My creamy penne pasta

the simple pizza with full of flavor

the cheesy lasagna

the juicy and very tasty steak

We also ordered for a blueberry cheesecake. We like that the cheesecake were tpped graciously with blueberry and the intricately design of strawberry sauce on the sides. The crust of the cheesecake is not that sweet, it actually reminds me of the banoffee at Banapple.

the intricately designed dessert - blueberry cheesecake

Arabela may be a small restaurant at the quiet town of Liliw but it is making a huge noise because of thehomey ambiance of the place, and the good food that they served. It just proves that you don't have to dine in an extravagant restaurant to enjoy good food and relaxing ambiance.

Visiting Liliw

Liliw is a quiet and laid-back town in the province of Laguna. The town is popular because of its slippers and shoes and is tagged as the shoe capital of Laguna. Aside from the footwear, Liliw is also the home of one of the oldest Baroque churches in the country and a family-owned restaurant that is becoming a go to place in the town.

 Shoes and Slippers.

Along the streets of Gat Tayaw and Rizal are houses turned shoe factory and shoe store. Everywhere you looked, you will see different kinds of shoes at every size. Every shoe store is crowded with tourist buying for shoes.  In Liliw you will find almost every kind of shoes and slippers at a very affordable price. You can buy three slippers for only Php 100.00 Sandals and high heeled shoes can be bought at around Php 300.00 much cheaper than the one sold in Metro Manila.

Famous Shoe stores are Badong Footwear and Entrada. But since the whole street of Gat Tayaw is full of houses made to shoe store, it is better to check all of them as you might see other bargain finds. Aside from the shoes and slippers, you can also buy leather wallets, bags and belts at the different stores. 

St. John the Baptist Parish Church

St. John the Baptist Parish Church is another tourist destination in Liliw. The church is known for its Baroque architectural design and beautiful façade. The church prominent red bricks and stained glasses is a main attraction of the church. When you entered the church, you will be further amazed by the altar design, the huge crucifix hanging at the wall and how the light from the stained glasses gave the inside of the church a solemn feeling. Aside from the architectural design, the church is also proud to have the vestments of St. John Paul II when he visited the Philippines.

The other thing that amazes me during our visit at the church is how the people of Liliw loved and kept the church. When we visited the place the whole town of Liliw is having a general cleaning of the church. And even when they are busy with their duty, they are still hospitable to the tourist. They would be glad to take a photo of you with your friends and talk to you about the rich history of their church. 

Arabella

Arabella is a family owned restaurant that serves pastas, pizzas, steaks, pastries, coffees and blended drinks. Owned by the Camello family, Arabella is the most popular dining area at Liliw. The store opens at 11:15 am and even before the restaurants opens, there are already customers waiting outside the restaurants. The place is small and can only accommodate up to 40 persons. The place is usually jam-packed so it is advisable to come even before the store opens.

Even if the place is jam-packed with customers, Arabela has a nice service. We did not have to wait long for our food to be served and they will surely entertain you while waiting to be seated and served. We also found the food very affordable even for their Italian pastas and steaks.

Arabella is located at 503 Rizal St. and just walking distance from St. John Baptist Parish Church and Badongs.  

Getting at Liliw:

From Alabang, we rode a bus bound for San Pablo. Drop-off point is San Pablo town proper. By there we rode a tricycle going past to the jeepney terminal bound for Liliw and Nagcarlan. Travel time from Alabang to San Pablo is around 1 hour and 30 minutes. From San Pablo to Liliw via the Nagcarlan Road is 30 minutes.

Transportation Cost:

Bus from Alabang to San Pablo – Php 97.50

Tricycle at San Pablo – Php 50.00 for 4 persons

Jeepney San Pablo to Liliw – Php 36.00

If you are not familiar with the town of Liliw, there is tourist assistance post near the municipal hall along Gat Tayaw Street which helps tourists.

Good Food at Black Canyon Coffee

I always passed by at Black Canyon Coffee on my way to work and I am always intrigue by their menu especially on the coffee since I a coffee addict. One Friday night, all my curiosity was answered when me and my friends decided to have dinner at the place.

Just a walking distance from our workplace, Black Canyon Coffee was not yet crowded when we arrived before seven in the evening. From outside the restaurant you will imagine it as typical restaurant, but once we entered the store whole ambiance changed. Instead of the usual chairs, we are welcomed by comfy couches and sala sets that gave a homey vibe of the place.

Black Canyon Coffee offers a wide range of food from pasta to steaks, salads and sandwiches, curries and soups, noodles and rice dishes. They also have cakes and desserts to complete their menu. Upon checking the beverage menu you will also be amazed on the wide selection of hot and cold coffee, tea, frappes, smoothie and juices.

For our dinner we ordered pad thai, a spicy stir fried pasta with crispy bacon and cocktail sausages. Their pad thai was abundant with ingredients of shrimp and tofu. It has a nutty taste with a kick of spicyness that would tickle your taste buds. The spicy stir fried pasta with crispy bacon is oil based pasta where spicy and the taste of basil is in fusion. The cocktail sausages complement our dinner with its simple taste. We also like how they cut the sausages and neatly piled up into a plate.

Of course dinner in a coffee shop would not be complete if I did not order a coffee. I just order their Black Canyon hot coffee, while one of my friends ordered for a Cranberry Coffee Frappe. We partnered our drinks with a slice of red velvet cake and Ferrero Cake – their bestseller. Upon ordering my coffee, the staff advised me that their coffee is very strong that I may not get a sleep tonight. I said that it was okay since I am really a coffee addict and I really wanted to taste their coffee. My coffee was served together with a small glass of tea and small biscuits. The tea is to calm my nerves after drinking their coffee. Their coffee was really strong as after already putting sugar and cream it still has a bitter taste. I liked their red velvet, especially the bread since it was moist and the white chocolate in the cake is not very sweet. Their Ferrero cake is a layer of chocolate and sansrival that gave it a crunchy texture.

Aside from the good food, the staffs are also very accommodating and friendly that they are very obliged in meeting our requests. You can even joke around the staff as they get your order and serve your food. Though you might find the interior and exterior of the place sophisticated added with good food their prices are very affordable compared to others.