Saturday photo

Savoring 'la dolce vita'... away from it all.

Yep, I'm feeling the stress from 'City life' now... from my toes to the tips of my hair!  I feel that my 'tank' is nearly empty and, I'm mostly running on adrenaline... commitment and inspiration. I know though that, at some point, my body will realize that I am 'cheating' it with the will of mind and my heart's passion, and it would just drop (dead) from exhaustion.  So, before we get there... I need a 'refill', therefore I'll get some! 

Joyfully, we have a special family occasion today... I have a good reason to leave behind

Date and Dine Italian Restaurant and Resort...
a hidden haven atop the beautiful hills of Antipolo.

the stressful "noise" of the City, and retreat with my family in this haven of a place, Date and Dine Italian Restaurant and Resort. The Resort is nestled in a quiet and exclusive village atop the beautiful hills of Antipolo.  It's a pretty place, a mix of classic and modern architecture that depicts the 'then and now' of Philippine home coziness, brought together by the inviting blueness of a small swimming pool in the middle.  With its cozy and homey appeal, it was initially envisioned by its owner to be a Bed and Breakfast place... a place close enough and private enough to get away to and recuperate from stress when the going gets tough in the City. 

It is owned by a lovely couple who have an appetite for entertaining guests. One is a Filipino garments manufacturer (Obra ni Juan) who loves cooking, and the other is a technology professional who later trained in the culinary field.  As they come to enjoy

Private and cozy:  highly recommended for family
events and other intimate gatherings.

entertaining guests with their cooking, they decided to open their private space to friends, and friends of friends, and share their cooking, too, using secret recipes in an Italian Restaurant.  Later, as they realized how four rooms in their modern home are rarely occupied, they decided to open these to guests as well who need a place for overnight stay, a weekend stay, or accommodation on a short-term basis.  And this led to the soft opening of Date and Dine about two months ago.  The accommodation rate is highly affordable, which includes breakfast, and the use of the pool, gym, mini office, wi-fi connections, recreation areas and the dining areas.  My family and I are very lucky to be among the very first guests of this lovely place.  We stayed overnight using all four rooms and had an exclusive use of the restaurant and all the amenities for our family event.  The personalized service is highly satisfying... it's like being in your own home with extra pampering, guaranteed to keep your mind away from work... and the stress that goes with it.    

Places like this, which make important family occasions even more special, are wonderful reminders that, indeed, life is good!  Thanks be to God that my family and I found another place to retreat to when City life becomes too grueling and unkind.  

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