Tradisyon At Azalea Residences Baguio Turns Exquisite Filipino Dining Into Memorable Get-Togethers

One thing that every Filipino looks forward to during family gatherings is Lola’s cooking. Everyone will simply love whatever it is that is being prepared in her kitchen because there is just something so refined about how everything tastes like, looks like, and most especially, how everything feels like. This may perhaps be because Lolas and Lolos have so much love in them that naturally makes food delectably comforting. And if you were an apo, Lolos and Lolas will always stay true to their reputation of spoiling you lavishly by cooking your favorite food. Every Filipino home knows how this feels like, and this is the exact same sentiment that Tradisyon at Azalea Residences is particular with in every meal they prepare and serve to their guests.

At first, one cannot help but be enthralled by how charmingly modern Tradisyon is when it comes to its interior. It can be intimidating at first, but as soon as you see how inviting the table set up is, you find yourself loosening up. The lamesas will begin to feel like your hapag-kainan where everyone at home is gathered and seated on their own proper places. How well-lit the place is invites the usual kwentuhan around the table, and sharing stories this way over meal times are always great for cherished bonding moments. For a moment, you’d forget you were ever in such a seemingly formal restaurant where everything is hush-hush. Instead, you find it easy to be yourself and simply order meals, family-style.

Tradisyon: Filipino Fusion Cuisine as Pinoy Comfort Food 

Tradisyon’s tagline is “Pinoy Comfort Food” and what they have on their menu is reflective of this. But then, they went beyond tradition and put their own twist through what they call Filipino Fusion Cuisine. Chef Bryan Gorgoña, Tradisyon’s Lead Chef, expressed that their menu is inspired by infusing the best flavors and best practices on how the classic dishes are prepared from various regions in the Philippines. Given his 17 years of experience as a chef both in and out of the country, creating dishes for Tradisyon springs from his passion.

Tradisyon has recently updated their menu to capitalize on the rich heritage of Philippine cuisine and it is quite interesting to see how they were able to translate their passion for Pinoy comfort food in their dishes. One other detail that is admirable in Tradisyon is that the meals are served help-yourself style and each serving of the main dishes is good for about three to five people.

Among Tradisyon’s best-sellers is a combination of two Filipino favorites – Crispy Pata and Kare Kare. In Tradisyon, they call this Crispy Pata Two-Ways (Php540). Crispy Pata is usually enjoyed with some soy-based dipping sauce with sili (chili) and calamansi, but here they added the savory peanut sauce and Kare Kare vegetable sidings as an option to pair with the massive crisp-fried pata (pig trotters). It’s like having to dishes in one. Brilliant!

Another menu item that clearly speaks Filipino Fusion is Tradisyon’s Bulasing (Php430.) Bulasing simply means Bulalo na Sinigang. At any hard day, this soup entrée will always make things feel better. The dish’s tamarind broth is thickened by gabi (taro) and made healthy with lowland vegetables. This undoubtedly tastes like your lola’s beef bulalo. The beef has been slowcooked for three hours which is why its broth is bursting with flavor and the meat almost melts in your mouth.

Next, we have Binagoongang Bagnet (Php335). Bagnet is crispy fried pork belly native to the Ilocandia region of the country. The pork is first made tender by boiling and then fried twice to achieve the crispy texture. Bagoong, on the other hand, is simply known as shrimp paste. When these two ingredients are put together with the right amount of spice and sautéed in tomatoes, bell peppers and onions, then things start to get brighter, I suppose. It’s every meat-lover’s dream. In Tradisyon, bagnet may be enjoyed three ways: fried as it is, in a tamarind broth (sinigang), and binagoongan.

When it comes to seafood, Tradisyon prides itself with its new addition, the Seafood Kare-Kare (Php540). This was added to the menu because diners would ask if they had the seafood variety to kare-kare. Since its inclusion, it has become a house specialty. Their Seafood Kare-Kare is made with some local vegetables, squid, fresh shrimp and fillets of fish simmered in a slightly sweet and creamy peanut sauce. The sauce is so hearty and we couldn’t help but ask if Tradisyon sells their peanut sauce in jars. It was sincerely that good.

One other dish that has become a favorite is what they call, Lengua a la Mode (Php460). This is a twist to the tried and true Estofado. Lengua a la Mode is slow-cooked ox-tongue that is luxuriously cooked over butter, sautéed mushrooms, sweet corn kernels, some white onion that all comes together with some cream and a selection of herbs. Each spoonful awakens the senses because at a precise moment, towards the end, you get to experience and elegant finish with some reduced white wine. What the wine does is cut through the richness of the dish for perfect balance. This is achieved by adding the wine when the ox tongue is nearly cooked.

Tradisyon also has scrumptious appetizers. One is Tradisyon Tokwa at Baboy (Php 330) and another is their Nacho Style Potato Skin (Php325). The former is a dish made up of deep fried tofu and bagnet that is served with a savory sauce of soy and vinegar sweetened by some onion slices and spruced up with some green chili. Their Nacho Style Potato Skin, on the other hand, is similar to the Mexican Taco only that instead of taco shells, you have crispy potato skin. What makes this very comforting is the melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese sauce drizzled over the chili beef, tomato, onion and jalapeno pepper.

Tradisyon’s Desserts are Delightfully Unforgettable

The best of the best is of course, dessert. Anyone who enjoyed all those hearty dishes would certainly crave for the sweeter side of any meal. A novel dessert that Tradisyon has in its menu is the Crispy Ube Dumplings (Php 225). Chef Bryan told us the story behind this dish and it all started on September 16, 2017 when they were invited to join the Ube and Strawberry Festival in Baguio. They thought of the dumpling and instead of pork, they went for ube. They then decided to pair these little munchies up with some strawberry dipping sauce. There is nothing like a good anecdote to a great dessert.

Now, let’s talk about cake. To those who may not know yet, the cakes in Azalea are DIVINE. If you know anyone who is into specialty cakes, Tradisyon is the place to be. Anyone who needs a picker upper can just come here, have a piece of cake, and instantly feel good about themselves. Order cup of tea or coffee with it, then that’s like rainbows and sunshine. Anyone can enjoy their very own tea party and it enjoying brunch or the early afternoon meet-ups is literally a piece of cake.

The Azalea Carrot Cake will surely go beyond any cake lover’s expectations. When the Carrot Cake is served at the table, you cannot help but wonder if the waiter served the right cake. This is because Azalea’s Carrot Cake is topped with some strawberries and cream. When you cut through it, though, seeing the coral spiced cake with raisins and walnuts is surely enticing. Tasting it is a totally different story. It is moist. It is not too sweet, nor is it bland. Everything is just right. Having the strawberries and cream compliments the cake, making it tart, which is actually a pleasant thing to feel. Anyone who says they don’t like carrot cake may change their minds when they have a taste of Azalea’s prized dessert.

The Tres Leches Cake is another fulfilling find in Tradisyon. It is a cake that is always mellow and cold because the vanilla sponge cake has to remain soft and fluffy after being soaked in three types of milk. Once ordered, it is served with some caramel sauce and fresh fruits. It is perfectly enjoyed anytime you need pampering. It is like a hundred hugs all at once.

Aside from the Azalea Carrot Cake and the Tres Leches Cake, Azalea also has the Azalea Choco Fudge Cake Brulee, and the Tradisyon Yema Cake. Any of these cakes can be pre-ordered for any occasion and they all have the same price, regardless of the flavor. Ordering the 3-piece cupcakes would cost Php 130. The 4-inch cake would cost Php 290, and the 8-inch cake costs Php580. For 8-inch cakes, it is important to make a reservation a day before.

Tradisyon Embraces International Cuisine Favorites

Aside from the Filipino dishes, Tradisyon also offers their versions of famous International dishes. In their menu have Tilapia and Chips (Fish and Chips), Asian Fried Chicken, Schnitzel, and Surf & Turf. They also have their House Best Pizza varieties as well as a Sandwich Corner and the Pasta and Noodles selections.

Tradisyon is also known for its international buffet offerings. The Mexican Fiesta Buffet makes Wednesdays festive from 6:00 pm to 10:00 PM. The buffet costs P400 per Adult and P300 for Vacation Club Members. Kids who are 6 years old and below are free, while kids who are 7 to 11 get 50% off (the rates of kids apply to all buffets). On Thursdays, the Mongolian Buffet takes the limelight (P280 per Adult, P220 for Vacation Club Members). For those who are into Chinese food, the Chinese Hot Pot Buffet happens every Friday (P395 per Adult).

The most sought after weekender is the Tuscany Night Buffet every Saturday night. What’s great about this buffet is its unlimited pizza, unlimited pasta, and unlimited chops and sausages. Who wouldn’t enjoy that on a weekend? (P550 per Adult and P385 for Vacation Club Members). Finally, for those who are love brunch so much, the Weekend Brunch Buffet is available from Fridays to Sundays, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (P450 per Adult, P325 for Vacation Club Members).

The rich selection Tradisyon offers its diners just shows how good Filipinos are in making everyone easily feel at home. For families, groups of friends, or even anyone needing some time off with themselves, Tradisyon has everything you would possibly need when it comes to food that makes get-togethers worth talking about. The essence of being pampered by meals made with love is of true value. Once you’ve enjoyed a meal at Tradisyon, a story is surely to be told and shared.

Visit Tradisyon in Azalea Residences Baguio, at No. 7 Leonard Wood Loop, Brgy. Manuel Roxas, Baguio City. For reservations call (02)484 0080 & (02)484 0081 & (02) 484 3061.