A nice restaurant in a garden setting nestled on the slopes of the Sierra Madre mountain range whose real name is Exotik Garden Restaurant, it has quaint Filipiniana-themed huts made from indigenous materials and wooden decorations reminiscent of Paete town, from where the owner is former mayor.



Actually located in Kalayaan town and not in Paete, like most people associate the place with, Exotik's resident python, Samantha, welcomes visitors to the place though it's sort of a turn-off to some who can't stand the sight of snakes and constrictors.

The menu is a combination of native Filipino dishes. The exotic fare, trimmed down to conform to laws on the protection of endangered and protected animals, used to include: bayawak (monitor lizard), baboy damo (wild boar), sawa (python), usa (deer), pating (sharks) and ostriches. Now, only ostrich and non-endangered animals appear on it similar to what used-to-be exotic Balaw-balaw Restaurant in Angono, Rizal once served. Price is mostly mid-range under P200 per dish.



the man-made waterfalls in the manicured garden


When Tutubi went there again, he ordered ginataang kuhol at pako (golden snails/escargot with coconut milk and fern), calamares (fried squid) washed down with SanMig Light.

There are huts located quite high up the slope that offers a fascinating view of Laguna de Bay (laguna lake) facing west so the sunset is another sight to behold. Function rooms can be ideal venues for weddings, baptisms and other events.

A souvenir shop sells various items and products of Laguna and Quezon province e.g. buco pie, various sweets, tsinelas from Liliw, woodcarvings from Paete, coin purses made of snake skin and dried toads et al.

Exotik Restaurant is open up to 9pm everyday and located on the national highway near the northern tip of barrio Longos of Kalayaan, Laguna. There used to be branch near Caliraya Lake but it seems to have been closed down.

How to go there:

Commute: HM Transit Bus (Cubao near Victory Liner or Taft avenu near corner Buendia terminal)bound for Sta. Cruz. In Pagsawitan (where most people alight) take a jeepney bound for Siniloan or Paete then alight in front of the restaurant (tell the driver "Exotic")

by car: drive to Laguna up to Pagsanjan then left turn on approach of Pagsanjan church. The restaurant is a few meters from the 100 kilometer post so it's not easy to miss.

Labels: Calabarzon, Kalayaan, Laguna, Laguna Restaurants, Restaurants, Southern Tagalog