Iskargu: Isdâ, Karne, Gulay!

Don't you just miss those nostalgic lunches that you had in your grandparents' provincia as a kid? Those were the days when you had to eat your lunch on a papag or seat made of bamboo, and home-cooked Filipino dishes with steaming hot rice are served on banana leaves in lieu of plates, and you enjoy them in the midst of everything bucolic. Well, there's this lovely little restaurant not far from the metropolis which has all that nostalgic touch that will help you remind how to it is to eat Filipino style. And it's called Iskargu.

Located in Calauan, La Laguna, Iskargu is an avant-garde restaurant whose overall structure is somewhat similar to a bahay cubo but with creatively designed interiors: an innovative mix of modern and traditional materials and decors.

All around the restaurant is a relaxing view of vast green rice fields. And behind the restaurant are the enchanting twin mountains of Atimla and Calisuñgan (erroneously spelled as Kalisungan).

In front of Iskargu's entrance, across the national road, is this refreshing view. If not for those transmission towers in the distance, this vista would have been perfect.

The verdant vista of the mountains of Atimla (left) and Calisuñgan (right) are in full view from our favorite seat. Only a sea of green separates Iskargu from the two peaks.

My three boys at our favorite seat.

Our love affair with Iskargu began last year when we treated Momay to a two-day birthday viaje in Los Baños and Calauan. We returned nine months later (that was last February 23) when preggy Yeyette suddenly craved for some guinataán cuisine (various food cooked with coconut milk) served in a rural setting. Y'know, weird pregnancy cravings.

We ordered the following:

Guinataáng tilapià (cichlid fish) with vegetables.

Guinataáng cuhól (snails) with vegetables.

Guinataáng calabáo (carabao) with gourds (chayote).

Calderetang cambíng (goat stew) with potatoes, carrots, and green peas.

And we downed all of them with this:

Ice-cold buco juice with generous strips of coconut meat.

After a hearty meal, our kids simply enjoyed the place while me and Yeyette had a short siesta. It was a very chilly afternoon that day! The breeze was not only strong but cold because of the amihan winds! Good thing I had my sweater inside my backpack!

Right behind the restaurant, our kids saw a bunch of unripe mangoes hanging from a tree branch, and it only piqued Yeyette's pregnancy cravings all the more. So I had no choice but to give in to her orders: get 'em all! Special thanks to the management of Iskargu for allowing me to do so. =)

One might think that Iskargu is a Tagalized form for escargot, a dish of cooked land snails. However —and quite humorously—, the name of this restaurant is a portmanteau of ISdâ (fish), KARne (meat), and GUlay (vegetables). So yes, Iskargu serves more than just guinataán dishes. Any Filipino dish that has fish, meat, and vegetables are on the menu, all cooked home-style.

This particular photo was taken last year during our first Iskargu experience.

It's amazing that this restaurant is less than two hours away from Metro Manila (whether by commute or by private vehicle; much faster if traffic's OK). Iskargu moments may provide temporary respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. But those moments are sure to be unforgettable.

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

Our verdict:
Food: ★★★★★★★★
Ambiance: ★★★★★★★★★★
Customer service: ★★★★★★★★
Value for money: ★★★★★★★★