VIAJERA CAFÉ and RESTAURANT / APARTELLE de Andrea
Fresh from our Zipline activity in Lake Sebu, we headed straight to Koronadal City. Since it is my first time to spend a night in the capital of South Cotabato, I really had no idead where to go. So I didn’t expect anything at all.
Later, we found ourselves checking in at Apartel de Andrea, a relatively new hotel facility in Koronadal. Upon arrival we were greeted with the sweet – sounding “Maayong Gab-i”. a greeting in the Hiligaynon language. For once, I immediately felt at home. Being a Hiligaynon speaker myself i find it comfortable to communicate with the Hotel staff, (Later i discovered that their F&B manager is also a Bacoleño)
Apartel de Andrea opened only this year. The room is complete with the basic stuff you need in a hotel room. Cool A/C cable TV flat Screen TV unit good WiFi connection hot and cold shower. Comfy bed and pillows. Although it is located beside the highway the noise of the passing vehicles are barely noticeable.
It was past 9PM when i felt the hunger pangs starting to make its presence felt. So I decided to visit the Viajera Restaurant. Viajera was the first to open. Later they only added the rooms for the Apartel. Viajera restaurant is actually an old house converted into a dining place. The second floor has a T’boli themed area complete with all the Tboli garments accessories and other stuff.
I decided to have coffee just before calling it a night. I checked the menu. After scouring the items off the menu I ended up ordering Ginger Lemon Tea Pumpkin soup and crispy fried noodles.
What was supposed to be just a cup of coffee ended up in a feast!
The crispy noodles is good. The veggies were freshly cooked. Poured hot over the noodles. Its not greasy, nor too salty. It has lots of veggies too. I asked the wait staff and he told me that all of the veggies are locally sourced and the shrimps either from the nearby GenSan or Davao.
He knows what he is talking about. And i Love it to bits!
Our accommodation already has a complimentary breakfast. I opted for the traditional daing na bangus, fried rice and sunny side up, cooked malasado-style. I always love to pour the yolk over my rice.
And to complete the whole breakfast ensemble i had brewed native coffee harvested from the Highlands of Polomolok.
Ahhh I was surprised. “may kape din pala sa Polomolok! Akala ko pinya lang meron dun”
At first I thought their coffee came from Sultan Kudarat. A nearby provides known as thr Philippines’ top producer of coffee beans.
Forget Batangas. Forget Alfonso Cavite. The real deal is in Sultan Kudarat!
People close to me would know how much struggle I make just to make the no-rice diet work.
But with a perfectly marinated daing na bangus with sunny side up and the tempting aroma of Polomolok coffee, who am I to say no ro rice? Haha
And just before check out of the hotel, I had my lunch at Viajera. After a food experience with them during breakfast, more or less I already know what to expect. The bar has been set so high. For lunch I ordered the lengua and a concoction of lemongrass and passion fruit juice.
Again, they really know how to tickle my senses. The lemongrass /passion fruit juice is so good! It must have been a perfect summer cooler or hotel welcome drink! Very refreshing. Its not too sweet.
The lengua is a manna from heaven. To say that it is perfectly cooked is truly an understatement. The ox tongue is slow cooked under cotton-y soft and tender. The sauce is not very oily. Hindi nakakaumay.
Most foods I ordered (except for pumpkin soup) is already good for sharing. The lengua is good for 2-3pax. But guess what i almost finished them all!
All in all Viajera Dine and Cafe is a highly – recommended must try resto in Koronadal!
FOOD 5/5
SERVICE 5/5
ROOM 3/3
Postscript : I hope they would also place rubber mat on the floor tiles as it gets very very slippery when wet. In fact i accidentally slid off the floor and hit my head on the wall. Good thing it’s not serious.