The Crescent Moon

Me : Did I park the car well? hmm.

Let me tell you where I have been today. On some days of the month my sister visits a restaurant or a tourist spot for her reviews and I'll be her *ehem* driver and take her to where she needs to go. So today, we went to The Crescent Moon Cafe in Antipolo. (Yeah I do make it sound as if I'm not from Antipolo, hehehe)

Somewhat looks like a Japanese home

That's the outside view of the restaurant. It looks simple and very homey. I actually like it there because it's away from the noise of the highway streets. They have man-made falls and the sound it makes mixed with the gentle rustles of the trees and slight breeze, priceless. It's totally relaxing. With screen walls, fresh air from trees flows freely inside the restaurant.

glowing fish? They look like heavenly creatures!

This scene is quite so familiar with the old photos I had in Ehsan Ria condominiums in Kuala Lumpur, it's were my Mom used to stay before she moved to the international house. Here are reference pictures from my old Friendster account click here to see. But they had smaller koi fishes. These are big, see that one on the picture above? That fish is bigger than the whole of my arm. But I am fond of koi fishes, see my post here when I oil painted my imaginary koi fish. I'm fond of animals generally. The owner took care of these fishes and said that they were around twelve years old already. Wow, longest fish years I've heard, after when my Guppy fishes died when they were only one week old. LOL. nah! I never had a fish pet before. Only furry friends (hamsters, rabbits, dogs) and one amphibian, a turtle that I set free because I couldn't bear seeing him caged in a...water bucket.

The Crescent Moon's signature appetizer.

The Crescent Moon has been running for almost a decade and is quite my kind of place to be having lunch at when I have the luxury of time. And yes of course, if my pockets are ready. But don't worry the food there is not gonna hurt your wallets. Trust me. And everyday is a surprise, it's the kind of restaurant that will remind you of days when you go home and ask your Mom "Mom, what's for lunch?" They don't serve the same thing everyday, it's always new like how our Mothers cooked back at home. You never know what you're gonna have but for sure its something delicious.

Here are my favourites from today's set. 

Alagaw leaves for appetizer. You create your mix, you'll have several saucers with different ingredients to create you own Alagaw lumpia and ensalada style, then top it with it's delicious sauce created from panucha or Coco Honey and ground peanut. Alagaw leaves served here are guaranteed fresh.

Carbonara with fresh ground parsley, you can really taste how fresh the parsley is. And the fish fillet with cream cheese on top is simply palatable. It think it's called Cream Dory Fish.

My favorite is the pumpkin soup mixed with coconut meat. It's pumpkin soup with a twist! I was nearly halfway finishing my bowl when I remembered I was supposed to take picture of it, so you'll see the bowl on the picture above is half full.

My most favorite of all was the Braised water spinach with fried tofu sprinkled with sesame seeds. Locally it is called Kangkong at Tokwa. It is my favorite because first, Kangkong or water spinach is my favorite vegetable, especially when it is cooked adobo style or in Sinigang. Tofu or Tokwa is something I always love to have during dinner even as a child. I remember when I was young I used to ask my Mom for fried tofu with soy sauce and minced fresh shallots for dinner. Now I feel hungry again.

The drink is lemon grass tea, if you're not fond of too-sweet drinks, then this is just right for you. It's not too sweet, just a hint of sweetness and the rest are perfect for quenching thirst and dispelling after tastes.

food to be taken seriously : do not disturb me

Among the many restaurants my sister has been to, this is restaurant got my taste. The dishes they served are sophisticated in taste and it's something I'd like to have again. Hopefully I'll have them on my next visit. But aside from the food, what I liked most is the place that reminds me of our home, filled with trees and nature, quiet and breezy. In their backyard, I saw this small fenced area with a little pond I came near to it and was surprised when turtles popped out from the water. There were 8 of them and unlikely from a turtle who's shy, these turtles actually go near you. So cute.

I love this place, first because of the food. Second, the place is just serene and very close to nature. And then, it's a place where it feels like home, Reminds me of home, and the story how the restaurant started is filled with loving family stories. You wont see any signs that it's trying too hard to compete with other restaurants, it is simply best on it's own.

If you would like to check out this place, find your way to Antipolo (and if you are familiar with the Rizal Capitol or Ynares please start at that landmark) From Ynares keep right and go straight, then you'll pass by Unciano Medical Hospital on your right and just a few meters away you'll see Shopwise on the left side and then an intersection. Just go straight ahead and keep right, landmarks you'll see on your right are National bookstore, Shell Gasoline station and Gems Hotel or Hap Chan Restaurant. Continue on the same road, keep right then you'll see Jetti Gas station and Milagros Subdivision (you're almost there) When you can see Robinsons Subdivision on your far left, slow down and look for a road on your right side and ask if it is Ascencion rd. or ask where the Crescent Moon Cafe, (landmarks are hardware shops beside the road) then turn right on that road and look for The Crescent Moon sign left side of the road. And you're there!

If my instructions seem to confuse you, you can just contact these numbers for further information.

The Crescent Moon Cafe
Ascencion Road, Barangay Dalig
Antipolo City
Mobile: 09175232356
Phone: 658-3866 

Cheers!

Posted in: Antipolo,Crescent Moon cafe,food,Restaurants,travel