180° by Chef Sau Del Rosario opens in Tagaytay
Chef Sau del Rosario’s 180° restaurant brings an elevated dining experience to Tagaytay, the windy city south of Manila that has emerged as a dining destination. Its cooler weather and bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables has drawn crowds in search of the next culinary discovery. Tagaytay has also inspired Del Rosario to bring his unique point of view in gastronomy to 180° by Chef Sau.
He says, “Inspiration can come from all different forms, styles, objects, or memories. For 180°, it was cool weather. Pineapples that grow abundant like grass. The moodiness of the volcano. The stillness of Taal Lake where tawilis (the only freshwater sardine in the world) can be found. People who come up to Tagaytay inspire and challenge us to perform well on how to please their hungry stomachs and to tease their taste buds.”
Local produce, most of which can be sourced from within a 15-kilometer radius, are ingredients that tie together the restaurant’s menu. This includes fresh seafood from neighboring towns. The dining experience, whether for leisurely brunch or dinner, is set against a picture-perfect, 180-degree view of Taal Lake and the volcano. But there’s more to the name 180° by Chef Sau. The acclaimed chef adds, “It’s also called 180° by Chef Sau because we cook dishes at 180 degrees, the perfect temperature for making stews, broths, and grilled items. The menu is made up of my signature dishes, so you won’t find this anywhere else in Tagaytay.”
180° by Chef Sau’s all-white, multilevel structure was configured to allow for pockets of privacy while still looking out to panoramic views of the mountain ridges and lake. There are seating areas outdoors, al fresco on the balcony, or right by the open kitchen where all the magic unfolds. The cozy restaurant is a great venue for celebrations and wedding receptions as well. The chef says, “It’s a completely different experience. Personally, I find it to be cinematic. The space inspires guests to, say, tour the kitchen to where all the dishes are made. We built 180 to make all your senses come to life from the moment you step in. The smell of fresh herbs, the smiles of our friendly wait staff, the cool mountain weather, the noise of the kitchen orchestra.”
Of course, he has imported food as well, such as the hamachi (yellowtail jaw), the tomahawk, and the selection of seafood and meat is wide. Two popular paellas are the Paella Negra (topped with lobster, mussels, scallops, and shrimp) and Paella Tinola, an homage to the late chef Ed Quimson. Try the Chilean mussels and Japanese oyster dishes as well. Elevated comfort food that is tasty and satisfying is what one gets when one eats here. Chef Sau’s food has been tried and tested — his food has always made me and my tummy happy!
Chef Sau also emphasizes that every dish is a personal story or anecdote lovingly prepared and plated in180°’s sprawling open kitchen, saying, “Everything in the menu holds a story that’s personal and close to my heart. Food is a story. My goal is to present guests of 180° by Chef Sau with stories. We also hope to be a place where they can make new memories and experiences that they can bring to the table.”
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180° by Chef Sau is located at Sungay North, Tagaytay City. The restaurant is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations and more information: 09176200289 . For updates, follow us at @180bychefsau_.
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