An epicure’s happy place in the north
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People hit the road for endless reasons: for adventure, for sensory thrills, for love. Some travel to de-stress, to discover, to forget. They’re escaping or seeking, starting a story or ending one. I go on random trips for all these reasons, one of them being to find good eats.
And as soon as I am able, I’m planning to go on a short, sweet ride to Pampanga to enjoy amazing meals. Usually, I relish roadside bites but this time, I want to inject some R&R into my “eat-inerary” and I already have a particular place in mind: Alviera Country Club.
Welcome to the (food) club
An hour and 30-minute drive from Manila, the Country Club is snugly perched at the heart of the 1,800-hectare Alviera mixed-use estate by Ayala Land and Leonio Land, amid a mix of residences, commercial districts, institutions, parks, and leisure facilities.
Nestled in a city that prides itself as the country’s culinary capital, Alviera Country Club is sprawling with dining outlets that are worthy to be part of one’s Pampanga eatinerary. The main restaurant is aptly named Manyaman, which in Kapampangan means delicious. Then at Galo Sports Bar, a day of unwinding with family and friends over a game of billiards, darts, or table tennis awaits. And there’s the Pasteleria, Alviera Country Club’s premiere pastry shop.
Pastry haven
Nothing excites the palate of “breadtarians” more than the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. At Pasteleria, they have a cornucopia of these goodies. One that they take pride in is its special Two-Cheese Ensaymada. Made with local artisan cheddar cheese, the soft-as-pillow dough gets a subtle note of sweetness from the rich cream cheese.
Another treat to bite into is Pasteleria’s Frozen Brazo de Mercedes. Layered with crushed graham crackers, cashew cookie, mantecado ice cream, creme caramel, and pillowy soft meringue, it’s a sure-fire post-pandemic treat.
The perfect dessert for all seasons: the Frozen Brazo de Mercedes. Truly a symphony of flavors and textures.
For chocolate lovers, Alviera Country Club delights with its signature Moist Dark Chocolate Cake. This irresistibly decadent cake is a dream with its bittersweet layers of dark chocolate frosting.
Apart from these sweet indulgences, Pasteleria offers savory meals perfect for brunches and snacks at any time of the day. The classic Apple Crumble Muffin and buttery and flakey Croissant Loaf are must-tries. Those looking for healthier options have Banana Bread and Brownie Mousse Cake, both made with muscavado sugar, to choose from.
Your modern sanctuary for all things leisure
Following your food adventure at Pasteleria, kick back at the Alviera Country Club. Complete the sensory experience by having that much-needed R&R. Beat the heat and take a dip in the six-lane lap pool, lounge pool, or jacuzzi.
Want to burn calories after a day of indulging in good food? Work up a sweat at the fitness gym with the Porac mountain range as your backdrop or go on a friendly game of tennis, badminton, and volleyball at the club’s outdoor sports courts.
The minds behind designing Alviera Country Club, Leandro V. Locsin Partners, drew inspiration from Porac’s rugged, prairie-like landscape to carve this oasis of a destination. Marvel at the enchanting beauty of the estate’s premier club—all six hectares of it.
With safety as a primary concern, the club follows the standard health protocols.
Whether it’s a quick food trip with the family or a day-long retreat from the city, a trip to Alviera Country Club will chase your hunger pangs and pandemic blues away. Check out Pasteleria’s full menu on Alviera Country Club’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
You can also take a sneak peak of what the club has to offer by availing the special day passes for only P600/person, which includes a consumable fee of P300 for all food and drinks within the property.
Get in touch with the Alviera Country Club membership department at 09178062377 to know more and schedule your visit.
Though day passes can be purchased at the Country Club upon arrival, all visitors are required to reserve slots ahead.
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Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like Alviera.