If you are looking for a place to stop over in Cebu Transcentral Hiway, then Haven Cafe in West 35 Eco-Mountain Resort will be a great place to dine and chill. The cold breeze and the wonderful mountain views will surely take your stress away. It’s approximately 35 kilometers from Cebu City halfway going to Balamban and takes about 45 minutes to an hour via V-hire.
West 35 directory
West 35 Eco-Mountain Resort
It was a fine day when I got there together with a few bloggers. We just came from Tsuneishi shipyard to gaze a launching ceremony (read it here) and thanks to the organizers we were treated with a sumptuous lunch.
On the rooftop of the cafe is a viewing deck which gives you a picturesque 360 degree view of the mountains of Balamban.
Parking spaces. More fun in the Philippines
Seen from the deck also is the Villa which gets you close and intimate with nature literally because of their unique bathroom with transparent glass walls. For details on their rates for day use and overnight stay, contact or check out their Facebook page.
The Haven Cafe serves all-day meals from American/Italian to Filipino cuisine for a reasonable price. I was actually amazed by the fact that the place is really visited by groups of people when we got there. I mean it was a weekday and the place is on top of the mountains where you need to drive a winding road. It only say that it’s not just the food that is good but the ambiance and the surroundings as well.
I was not able to take a picture of their menu as I was busy walking around. For those curious, here is a photo of their menu from a blog dated June 2012 so prices may have vary already but I think the food they serve remained the same and maybe new ones added.
Haven Cafe menu. Photo from gibberishwordplay.wordpress.com
Actually the Tsuneishi staff ordered food ahead of time that is good for 12-15 persons. What they did not know is there were only 6 of us who made it since it was a weekday and some were not available. The result? A fiesta and a full tummy! 😀
We had 2-3 servings for each dish below and I tell you, we had to double our appetite. 🙂
We had a pizza and pasta combo. Wow I was carbo-loading baby!
Hawaiian pizza
Do you know that Haven Cafe grows its own organic vegetables which is served in the restaurant? That is really nice to know and good news for organic food lovers out there.
Garden fresh salad
For our drinks we had this healthy minty lemonade. It was my first time to try it and it taste really new to me but for a healthy refreshment, it is soothing.
Minty lemonade with lemon grass
Calamari Fritto with spicy aioli dip
We also had some soup. It’s a good sip especially on a cool place and really helps my appetite.
Tinolang manok
And for the main event, I drooled on the grilled baby back ribs. The meat was tender, the sauce was just right and it was mouthwatering in every bite.
Grilled baby back ribs with barbecue sauce
And lastly, when we thought we had enough, we still had this delicious desert. I was literally full but I would be fooling myself if I pass on this. It has a brownie cake at the bottom and my sweet tooth got awaken.
Hot brownie choco lava
I really wish I could translate everything that my taste buds received that day. It is still one of the things I am trying to work on to be a certified food blogger. I’m a certified foodie and loves food trip but I usually just rate them in 3 things: yummy, not bad and okay. This was definitely YUMMY!
Well I guess I need to practice more and that means eat more. Hehehe! For now let the photos leave a taste in your mouth. It’s for me to know and for your to find out so go forth and visit this Haven on the mountains of Balamban.
WEST 35 Eco Mountain Resort Facebook Page
KM 35 Transcentral Hiway, Gaas, 6041 Balamban, Cebu
Email add.: [email protected]
Tel. No.: (032) 520-2633
Cell No.: +63 933 995 3245
I cannot help but read every article you write with your own voice in my head. Especially when I recall you “what that” statement. LOL.
PS: IMO while the pictures (of food) are essentially well exposed and well composed, the color treatment feels off. Save for the last picture of that yummy looking ice cream.
Nice to hear from you padee.. I admire your keen eye here and thats true.. well let’s say I just used the same feel for all the photos in this post just to be consistent if you notice, the environment is cool so I used a faded-looking watchmakollit effect and as a result some colors were lost.. I rarely shoot Raw and Ps much nowadays..heheh thanks for dropping by! 🙂
awww Vic.. that’d be a testament that this blog is sooo really me hahaha and also that you missed me! LOL! feeling nostalgic for the “what that” statement wayback 1st year college hehe looking forward to hangout with the gang sooooon! 😀
OMG!!! awesome place plus mouthwatering foods!! Will definitely visit West35
Thanks Kaiy. Hope you enjoy your time. 🙂
I was just talking to my husband about this place. I asked that we go there sometime but I forgot the name! LOL
I guess it’s time to remind him of this place now you remember the name. Enjoy your visit! 🙂
wow! very enticing photos! i want to go there na!
Go go go! It’s great to visit this place with your own vehicle. 🙂
Wow! Mouthwatering food and spectacular views — what a great place to eat! Thanks for sharing this; the food pictures really made me hungry T-T
I forgot to post more photos of the view but it’s really good. Thanks! 🙂
And here I go again stumbling into food posts in the middle of the night! I have always wanted to go to West 35 but I have a hard time convincing my mom to drive all the way up. I hope that when I show her your heavenly and sumptuous photos, they’ll convince her enough! Plus the view is breathtaking!
Hahah you really need more convincing powers. I hope this helps hehe. Thanks Anne. 🙂
I’ve also read about this before but I’ve never visited everrr. Hehe. I hope I have my own car! Hahaha, so that it’s easier to go around Cebu. Lol. Great views and looks like really yummy food!!
Yeah it’s actually difficult to visit here without your own car. You can ride a van going there but the problem is going home as most of them are already full when they pass by. 🙂
Look at all those mouthwatering food! Had we been there, we would literally devour everything. hehe. The next time we head south via the transcentral highway, we’ll make sure to drop by this place.
I know you will be passing this place often because of your travels. Hope you enjoy your food trip here. 😀
Yup, soon! 🙂
I have always wanted to go here pero kj kaau si boyfie! Rawr! The food looks so mouthwatering! As in! I should really try convincing him again!
You have a tough convincing job to do then. heheh I wish you the best! 😀
I should have gone with my friend when she invited me here to hang out. Didn’t know the place was really awesome. Maybe next time. 🙂 So besides the yummy foods and sight seeing, do you have other things you can do there?
I did not mention but they have a Zipline and Kid’s play area with hanging bridge and mini climbing wall. 🙂
I’ve been there when I joined a Biker’s club two years ago. The place was really beautiful. And their minty lemonade is really a must-try!
Wow a Biker’s club, that’s really cool. Yes I liked that drink too. 🙂
Ugghh why is Balamban so far far away. I wanna go there soon as well! Great post and photos!
Same thoughts. I don’t know when I will be back. heheh thanks! 🙂
Ganahan ko mobalik didto Emjae! Nice kaayo sah?
I’m planning to take my children to this place. How much is the entrance?