Monday, May 13, 2019

Hillocks Coffee Shop and Restaurant, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija

We were traveling home from Baler and had just completed the literally long and winding Pantabangan-Baler Road. We were already very hungry and decided to look for a restaurant in the town of Pantabangan.  We didn't know of any and were preparing to explore when we found a lead via Trip Advisor. This was how we came to learn about Hillocks Coffee Shop and Restaurant, which was along the national highway and positioned just a few hundred meters after the town proper.

Sign along the highway - the restaurant was a bit inconspicuous for people traveling long distance and not really looking for a stop at Pantabangan.
Interiors include some vintage items and not so vintage ones like the stereo system that had a retro design
View of one of the tables and the balcony. I like the vintage lamps at the restaurant.
A view of the garden from the porch, and another vintage lamp
View of the restaurant porch and entry from the garden
Entrance arch with my daughter posing with the flowers.
My wife and daughter posing in the garden
Rather uncommon flowers we saw at the garden
There are more tables at the balcony. These were made of hardwood.

Hillocks has an excellent menu. Unfortunately, not everything was available as we arrived way after the typical lunch hours.
Can you spot the pigs? There were three 'free range' pigs roaming around the garden.
A view of the garden from the restaurant porch.
They have a fireplace at the restaurant and it looked like it was a functional one complete with accessories.
View of the restaurant from the driveway - there's a small convenience store at the lower level as well as clean toilets for customers or travelers.
Steps leading to the restaurant's entrance at the second level. The second level was actually at the same level as the garden and much of the land on the property.

We think Hillocks provides an excellent stopover for people traveling between Metro Manila and Baler. It is particularly strategic before or after traversing the Pantabangan-Baler Road, which takes perhaps a couple of hours give and take the driver and vehicle your are using for the trip. The food is good and so is the service. Prices are very reasonable, too, so its highly recommended and we're sure to stop over and have a meal the next time we are in the area.
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