No Picnic at Camp John Hay: Where Do We Eat Now?

Growing up in Baguio, one of my fondest memories is that of the family/friends picnicking at Camp John Hay.  You take your pick of the tables set up in Scout Hill (beside what used to be the tennis courts… and there are more tables set up on the ‘Scout’ hillside =D, now), usually trying to get to CJH the earliest to beat the other picnickers to the tables nearest the grill.

The view from the table by the Little John’s window…and some representations Little John’s customers have drawn. Nice, no? ^^,

In the event that it rains on your picnic (which can be expected of Baguio weather *hihi) and everything gets so drenched that nothing is edible or maybe an army of ants come in and march away with everything but your trash bags, the picnic can still push through.  (“,)  When you’re in Camp John Hay without picnic baskets full of food, there’s always something delicious cooking at any of the establishments set up at the Mile Hi Center.

Dencio’s Bar and Grill

Dencio’s Bar and Grill is one of the restaurants where you can get some grub in CJH.  Their specialty there is Philippine cuisine.  When after an action packed day of immersing yourself in nature and you find that you want to have sinigang na tiyan ng bagus (or a dish of that sort), Dencio’s is the right place to be.  You don’t have to wait until you get to town to eat (Dencio’s also has a branch over at Luneta Hill).  You can eat your fill of nicely prepared Filipino food and get right back to enjoying nature at CJH.

Dencio’s Bar and Grill (Luneta Hill) scene … Sorry, guys, i dont really have photos of Dencio’s CJH. Hhhmm, must’ve been sick that day to not be camera-clicking happy. =D

A veggie dinner with asparagus in garlic, sinuglaw and caligrape coolers. =)

Oh, you delicate and beautiful spears of asparagus, you. (“,)

Food: 

Service:  Stores in the Mile Hi Center tend to close early (8ish) in the off peak season/rainy season.  At one visit with my family, we arrived when they were ready to close.  They put off their closing time to provide for our dinner.  Thanks so much, Dencio’s CJH!

Ambiance:  Specifically for the CJH branch.

Price: 

Dencio’s Bar and Grill

Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay

Luneta Hill

Baguio City, Philippines

Tender Joe’s Steakhouse

If you’re looking for food that doesn’t necessarily fall under Philippine cuisine, you can take your meal at Tender Joe’s Steakhouse.  Just as their name suggests, you can get slabs of meat from here.  When Race and I decided to ‘picnic’ here =D, I wasn’t that hungry so I just went for their mashed potatoes.  These mashed potatoes looked a little faded but were tasty enough.  Anyway, the gravy dressing adds more flavor to it.  Race got the sizzling shank meat which was a set meal in a way because it already came with soup, salad and rice.  They weren’t kidding when they said the meat would be tender.  And right from the get go, with the soup (I took some sips of Race’s soup *heee), we were already sizzling from its seasoning.  Thank you, Tender Joe.

The Tender Joe’s Steakhouse scene

Sizzling shank meat, mashed potatoes and gravy ^^,

The soup and salad that comes with the sizzling shank meat…and a gelatin dessert (a regular tasting one)…with a sad dollop of cream. No matter, it wouldn’t look that different in my tummy. =b

Food: 

Service: 

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Tender Joe Steakhouse

Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay

Baguio City, Philippines

Little John’s

When you’re spending time with your family in Camp John Hay and you’ve got kids with you in your nature excursion, Little John’s is, you can say, the kid friendliest restaurant at the Mile Hi Center.  Order up spaghetti or their (best selling) baby back/bbq ribs and while you wait, tap into your/your child’s inner artist and get busy with the crayons and your paper placemat.

Little John’s dishes: Baby back ribs, spaghetti, chicken tikka, mini fondue (weee, choco dip!), fruit and ice cream, and a potato snack – I forgot the name but it was delish…of course, it’s potato-naaa (“,)

The condiments…and a section of the placemat you can get artsy with. \m/

Dining at Little John’s amid the framed placemat artwork that other patrons have made. (“,)

Food: 

Service:  In the times that we visited, they had lots of stuff that were on the menu but were not available. *aw =(

Ambiance:  The Little John’s store is kind of narrow with lots of tables and chairs set up on every possible space.  At the last table by the window, however, you’re treated to a nice view.  A dilapidated bridge, yes, but it’s still beautiful with its ruinous appearance – a scene you can draw on your placemat.

Price:  Serving proportions for Little Johns, indeed. =b

Little John’s

Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay

Baguio City, Philippines

Mr. Bean Café/Lavazza Coffee

At the end of the Mile Hi Center, there’s a coffee shop named for Mr. Bean.  Besides Lavazza coffee, they also have foodstuff (breakfast eats, sandwiches and FiC ice cream) to offer.  In comparison to the other Mile Hi restaurants, theirs is probably the smallest store but no worries because they have a garden to speak of where you can dine al fresco (fingers crossed, it’s not raining or blustery when you come to visit).

Fruits in Ice Cream chocomint *nomnomnom

4 orders of BLT fries and iced tea…because there was no other sandwich type available =b

Dining al fresco with loved ones (furry and non-furry) *heeharhar

All gone! =D

Food: 

Service: 

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Mr. Bean Café/Lavazza Coffee

Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay

Baguio City, Philippines

X marks Dencio’s Bar and Grill, Tender Joe Steakhouse, Little John’s and Mr. Bean Café/Lavazza Coffee for good food in Baguio.  When there’s no picnic in the park/camp, there’s always food to be had here.