The Farm at San Benito is evolving into a premier gastronomy tourism dining destination in Batangas, emphasizing sustainability with ingredients sourced directly from their own property. Now, walk-in guests can enjoy dining at The Upperdeck or Pesce, with menus that extend beyond vegetarian or raw food options. (Previously, guests needed an overnight stay reservation or to book a Day at The Farm package to experience The Farm)
Four dining outlets open to walk-in guests, all adhering to farm-to-table and wellness cuisine principles:
- ALIVE!: A Halal-certified vegan restaurant.
- PRANA: Offers Indian vegetarian dishes inspired by Ayurvedic concepts.
- PESCE: Provides pescetarian meals inspired by the Mediterranean Blue Zone®️ diet.
- THE UPPERDECK: Offers whole foods and pasture-raised chicken.
The Farm at San Benito promotes a comprehensive wellness experience, blending relaxation, adventure, and health-focused activities. The goal is to foster harmony, happiness, and holistic health for all guests. It is renowned as a secret wellness escape for couples and a healthy family-bonding destination for multi-generational families.
Here’s our first look at The Upperdeck and a taste of our favorite restaurant, Pesce, at The Farm at San Benito.
THE UPPERDECK: Whole Food, Farm Fresh Restaurant
The Upperdeck restaurant, situated on a sloping terrain, connects the Banaba Function Hall Rooms/Suites to the Healing Sanctuary SPA. It features alfresco dining under coconut trees and a lush garden. For a cooler environment, especially during lunch or hotter seasons, guests can reserve the air-conditioned gazebo.
I love the view of the pool from the Upperdeck, and it’s beautiful to watch the sky transform during sunset. It has an Antonio’s kind of vibe but more casual.
The menu features Mediterranean cuisine and offers pasture-raised meats, such as chicken and soon beef, to finally respond to the clamor of its guests.
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP with Pumpkin Seeds & Pesto Oil ₱480
Purée infused with herbs and spices with a hint ofcinnamon and sprinkled with toasted pumpkin seeds
GREEK SALAD ₱500
Crisp lettuce with cucumber, cherry tomato, bell pepper, red onion, olive, and feta cheese drizzled with olive oil, and a splash of red wine vinegar
ITALIAN BAKED SALMON with Herb Crust ₱1,200
Freshly baked salmon fillet coated with a mix of herbs, garlic, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese
BANOFFEE PIE ₱600
Biscuit cracker crust with creamy caramel sauce and fresh bananas
You can enjoy a four-course set menu featuring soup, salad, mains, and dessert.
The food tastes clean, without any flavor additives, allowing the real flavors of the ingredients to shine through. However, the salmon was overcooked, so be sure to specify that you want your salmon cooked medium.
LEMON HERB ROAST CHICKEN ₱1,400
Roast chicken infused with citrus flavors and aromatic herbs
Finally, they now serve Roast Chicken at The Farm! I love the citrusy and herby flavor of the roasted skin, and the meat is still juicy. Be patient with the service as they stabilize their kitchen.
I hope they serve grass-fed beef or steak soon—that would be a day to celebrate at The Farm.
We appreciate the lovely acoustic band serenading us while we eat. You can request your favorite song, whether it’s a romantic favorite, your theme song, or a praise song, to complete your meal.
PESCE: Pescatarian Restaurant
Pesce is our favorite restaurant at The Farm in terms of flavor, ambiance, and overall offerings. It is a poolside dining restaurant specializing in seafood inspired by the Mediterranean Blue Zone®️ diet.
Alfresco dining can be hot during lunch, but they usually provide fans to cool you down. There are also many flies during the fruit season, but they provide those helicopter-like devices at the table to keep them away.
PESCE’s menu consists of organic living foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish as a source of protein for a complete and balanced meal. Blue Zones®️ are longevity hotspots around the world that reflect the lifestyle and environment of the world’s longest-lived people.
SEAFOOD PLATTER ₱5,000 (Good for 2-3 people)
Grilled tiger prawn, squid, scallop, mussel, 1/2 pomfret fish, and lobster served with green mango salad and seafood dipping sauce
The seafood was fresh, lightly grilled, and served with a citrusy green mango salsa. I loved the plump scallops, grilled prawns, and grilled pampano with its crisp skin. This healthy platter is perfect for sharing and indulging in when celebrating at The Farm.
The pièce de résistance was the grilled lobster with just a splash of lemon.
SEAFOOD POMELO SALAD ₱1,200
Prawn, squid, carrot, onion, mint leaves with sweet and sour dressing
FARMER’S COLADA ₱300
Coconut milk and pineapple
PRAWN BISQUE SOUP ₱1,000
Creamy tomato, saffron, prawn topped with sour cream and croute
BLUEBERRY CHEESE CAKE ₱700
All the food we ordered was quite good. The pomelo salad with grilled prawn was perfect for sharing. The pineapple drink had just the right sweetness from the pineapple itself and a frothy coconut milk head. The Prawn Bisque Soup was rich and saucy, but you could really taste the flavor of the prawn and the sea. The cheesecake was dense, with a sweet blueberry topping that provided a nice, classic flavor pairing.
TIRAMISU ₱700
Our favorite dessert at The Farm! The ladyfinger was smooth and lighty soaked with coffee in between layers of mascarpone and topped with a generous amount of cocoa powder. Perfect for sharing, it is guaranteed to satisfy your dessert cravings.
WELLNESS MASSAGE
I suggest having lunch at Pesce, dinner at The Upperdeck, and enjoying the unique Acqua Hydrotherapy massage in between for a truly relaxing experience at The Farm.
There is a series of Acqua massages where you take your time, letting the water pressure relax your head, shoulder, and back muscles. Finish with a 1-hour massage from their expert therapist.
MAHOGANY VILLA #22
The allure of The Farm will tempt you to stay overnight with your special someone. Make sure to book one of the villas with a private pool to enjoy a skinny dip surrounded by nature.
The bed is incredibly comfortable, and the villa setup is quite luxurious, both in terms of space and decor.
You’ll love hanging out in the bathroom, enjoying your bath in the tub or shower with The Farm’s signature toiletries.
We loved the welcome kit, which included massage oils, a fresh bouquet, and celebratory balloons. The villa has a small pantry with a chiller, a safety box, an iron and ironing board, and a bathtub set in nature.
We also loved the healthy breakfast at Pesce, complemented by the cool morning breeze and vibrant ambiance.
Our breakfast favorites included the poached eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade granola, fish dishes, and an assortment of homemade bread, sauces, and cheese.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I’m excited about how The Farm is becoming a wellness dining destination with The Upperdeck, now offering chicken and beef without compromising its farm-to-table, clean ingredients, and wellness cuisine principles. Be patient with the service as they stabilize the kitchen of this new outlet. Pesce remains our favorite with its seafood platter and tiramisu for dessert, complemented by a nice poolside dining vibe. Thanks to The Farm for now allowing walk-ins for their dining outlets.
I suggest walking in for lunch at Pesce, enjoying a relaxing Acqua Hydrotherapy massage for siesta, and having a romantic sunset dinner at The Upperdeck. To maximize your stay, book an overnight at the pool villa and enjoy a rejuvenating breakfast the next day.
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: I wrote this article 100% by a human with my biases, opinions, and insights. We paid for our Pesce meal and was hosted by The Farm at San Benito for The Upperdeck.
P.S. I heard they are planning to convert the gym into a fine dining French Restaurant to complete the destination wellness dining at The Farm.
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