Wanting to find some falls not too far from Manila to practice waterfall photography sometime back, we did some research and found out about Daranak Falls in Tanay, Rizal and Balite Falls in Amadeo, Cavite. The latter was only some 15 kilometers away from Tagaytay, so on a short family outing to this city on a cloudy July day we had the chance to see Balite Falls. Four years later we would be back.

Nina and I were traversing the length of Aguinaldo Highway just after the Mendez intersection in Tagaytay, looking for a place to have coffee when we spied what looked like a bakery with a café’s name.

It was virtually unknown as a food destination way back during my college days but in the past several years Maginhawa Street in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City has gained a reputation as a foodie's haven. We first tried a few restaurants here four years ago when it was beginning to carve a name for itself. Today the place has exploded as a dining destination with restaurants branching out into nearby streets as dining places jostle for space at the original Maginhawa Street.