Tucked unassumingly on one corner of the zigzagging road to Camp John Hay is one of Baguio's fancier restaurant, the Forest House Bistro and Cafe.

The outer facade of the resto is quite unassuming, but once you enter the foyer, you know that this place is not your run-of-the-mill type of bistro.  Visitors are immediately greeted with colorful stained glass windows, vintage looking tiles and tall wooden columns supporting a vaulted translucent ceiling.  Past the portal, the interior is styled like a homey log cabin complete with a fireplace, wooden furniture and warm comforting sofas.  The place looks inviting even if the table set-up calls for a formal dinner.

Now, me the fishball-eating street connoisseur, is not really used to such grand arrangements.  Even if the alcove table looks real inviting; with the sun streaming through the floor to ceiling bay window and all, I felt a bit out of place with just my shirt and flip-flops on. 

We eventually opted to dine al fresco.  First at the balcony at the back, which I imagine looks heavenly during the afternoons as it is perched around three stories high and is perfectly located for a romantic sunset.  It was however, high noon, and even with the parasols, the sun still beats quite strongly against us.  To the foyer tables we went then.  It is cool and shady, still outdoors and not quite indoors, and most importantly, it is comfortably informal.

Browsing the net, we actually knew beforehand what we would order.  What we did not know was how generous the serving size was, thinking that they were undersized, we over-ordered haha.

We asked for their Homemade Bagnet, Binagoongan Bagnet, Calamares Fritos, and Five Flavor Honey Chicken Wings.  No wonder the waiter was chagrined after our orders.

The food was okay, it was not bad but it's really nothing to write home about.  I have tasted better Bagnets at Vigan, but of course that is in Vigan.  The Calamares was okay and so was the Chicken.  The Binagoongan however was below my expectations, I was anticipating something crispy since it is a Bagnet after all but found it wanting in that department.  The sauce was a bit watered down to my liking too. 

That is not to say that we did not enjoy eating at the Forest House, the food may be average but the ambience is really really nice. 

I won't hesitate coming back to this place to try out their other servings.  I can just imagine our next visit; it's gonna be on a crispy late afternoon, the cold wind just enough to bite through your jacket, the sky starting to burn red, and the sun just about ready to say its goodbye.  Perfect time for an intimate mug of hot Benguet coffee while relaxing at the Forest House balcony.

   

 
Forest House is located at 16 Loakan Road, SW of Camp John Hay, Baguio
They open at 11:00am to 10:00pm during Mondays to Fridays and 9:00am to 11:00pm during Saturdays and Sundays
Ring them up at (074) 447-0459 or at (074) 3044-553 or email them at inquiry@foresthousebaguio.com  
   

        PART OF A 3-DAY BAGUIO SERIES
        BURNHAM PARK | PIZZA VOLANTE | UKAY UKAY | OH MY GULAY! | THE DIPLOMAT HOTEL | BENCAB MUSEUM
        MINES VIEW PARK | CAMP JOHN HAY | FOREST HOUSE BISTRO & CAFE | STARBUCKS COFFEE AT CAMP JOHN HAY