Known for its cool breeze and scenic mountain views, Baguio has been a popular classic summer destination for those who crave a slice of idyllic slow living in cooler temperatures. Session Road, Burnham Park, Botanical Gardens—the City of Pines has a distinct soul that many travelers have easily grown to love. I’m unashamedly one of them, as I go up the zig-zag roads biannually to enjoy the cool city breeze and enjoy its sights and sounds with my local friends.

With happy colors and floral elements, guests dine in a lavish ambiance at The Gallery.

Among the many trips I’ve had, what truly impresses me is how Baguio’s food scene has upped the standards of gastronomy. From whimsical and dreamy cafes to best-rated, unlimited Japanese grills, the country’s summer capital has evolved to be a true foodie paradise. One restaurant I recently discovered (thanks to my local friends who kept raving about it), is The Gallery by Witchcraft, a resto + craft brewery founded by husband and wife tandem, Cristina and Jackson So, with the culinary leadership of world-renowned French chef, Chef Didier Derouet. He initially met Cristina as his student when he hosted a baking workshop at his home in Loakan back in 2018.

World-renowned French chef, Didier Derouet

Just along Military Cut-off Road, this hard-to-miss new dining spot was finally up and running just last February, after going into full construction mode roughly a year and a half ago. “We didn’t want to rush it, we wanted to take our time. Especially since there was no second-floor establishment here; it was all bare.” With the vibey interiors reminiscent of modern Western fine dining, I’d say it was well worth the wait.

This vibey dining area is what welcomes you at The Gallery

Three areas make up this spacious and airy gastronomy joint: the welcoming dining area with a focal point of the bar, an indoor-outdoor veranda where buttery yellow, curved couches and colorful floral elements give off a luxurious yet natural feel, and the dimmer, modern whiskey lounge inspired by 1950s cigar rooms with a private space, too. Art pieces are displayed along the walls of the veranda, as they want to showcase and collaborate with local artists and promote exceptional Filipino talent. Currently, the emotionally charged, vibrant, oil-on-canvas pieces from Anna Samaniego are exhibited—it is The Gallery after all. When you’re done admiring the masterpieces, you can look towards the balcony and have a breathtaking view of the mountain roads and majestic Baguio skies.

The byline of the restaurant has another story to it since it's the craft brewery that started it all. Witch Craft Brewery and Distillery Co. is the brainchild of Jackson, being a beer and liquor enthusiast himself. Having a deep interest in these bevies, he thought it would be a good idea to craft their line of beers and spirits. Together with his beautiful wife Cristina, they traveled the world (mostly in Europe) studying the variety and mixtures of beers and liquors so they could produce them themselves. Even the tour guides were greatly impressed by Jackson’s insights since his vast knowledge of these drinks was not at all basic. After months of research and development, Witch Craft Brewery and Distillery Co. was born.

Dazzling cocktails made with Witch Craft’s very own Ghost Gin and Avallach Whiskey

As for the intriguing brand name, “We wanted to be playful with it since ‘witchcraft’ is one of the most popular words that has ‘craft’ in it, and some of our products have ‘ghosts’ and ‘ghouls’ because Baguio is a popular spot for ghost hunting,” Cristina casually shared. To date, they have over 10 beer products, 1 soda water, 1 vodka, 2 gin and whiskey variants. “Everything is locally made. From our labels to our packaging, it’s all homegrown. If we can find the ingredients here, we’ll get our suppliers here. It’s our way of supporting Baguio,” Cristina shared. Their love for grassroots talent is paying off, as their introductory gin products are now being imported abroad.

Cristina’s personal recipe, the French Onion Soup

After an impressive show and tell of their various beers and spirits, our dinner finally began. We whetted our appetite with tasting portions of their tender and well-seasoned Beef Salpicao, their soft and delectable Calamares, and their fresh and spicy Shrimp Gambas (P520/sampler), served with freshly baked garlic bread from L’Atelier du Grain (The Wheat Workshop), their sister brand. I like that each of the items listed under appetizers had beer recommendations that perfectly go with it. It makes it easy to consider these pairings and indulge in the dishes with a refreshing glass of a brew. Their French Onion Soup (P260) and Seafood Bouillabaisse (P220) were their bestsellers, and after a hot sip, I could easily understand why. The beef broth and caramelized onions topped with melty Swiss cheese is seriously the best onion soup I’ve had (so much so that I could break in a song), while the latter is a well-balanced, hearty stew of fresh seafood that’s rich and delicate. Lastly, we tried their much talked about “The Gallery'' Caesar Salad (starts at P180), and it was an instant hit—crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and hand-tossed tangy Caesar dressing made from scratch—it’s simple yet truly divine, we had to go for seconds.

The Gallery’s hand-tossed Caesar Salad

Once we’d gotten our initial fill, we tried several of their beers, and each sip gave a bold flavor with varying levels of sweetness, toastiness, and bitterness, but all certainly had good taste and mouthfeel. With 12 craft beer variants to choose from (and more coming soon), there’s surely something for everyone. As for me, I liked their Black Horse (P180/mug) with 4.5% alcohol. It has a dry-roasted character with an infusion of cinnamon, chocolate, and oatmeal, with medium bitterness. You can taste the roasted malted grains that give a smooth and creamy body to the palate. For those who want an easy drink, I’d recommend their Potion German Pale Ale (P180/ mug, ABV 4.5%), a golden-colored beer that has clean bitterness and a subtle fruity aroma. It’s preferred by many thanks to its extremely drinkable trait.

These high-quality beers are truly world-class!

The Gallery aims to please many palates & preferences with their wide selection of craft beers and bevies!

For non-drinkers, their Organic Sodas (P100) made with their own soda water and fresh fruits (choice of strawberry, lemon, or orange) are enough to refresh the spirit, as they are perfectly tangy, fruity, and fizzy. I couldn’t get enough! Every beverage is superb, and it’s probably because from the water up to the ingredients, the Sos have utmost quality control, since they have their own deep wells and purify the water they use in brewing.

These organic sodas are highly addictive yet remain guilt-free!

I had to stop myself from drinking too much because the main dishes awaited. For the mains, there were a couple of dishes I found unforgettably palatable. The Mutton Masala (P495) was aromatic, spicy, and savory, with tender and succulent meat simmering in thick gravy. The naan bread was the perfect match for this complex and layered dish. Their Truffle Porcini Mushroom Pasta (P495) is also a crowd-pleaser with its creamy and aromatic al dente fettuccine, with a mix of earthy, nutty, musky, and garlicky notes from the authentic truffle. As for my personal favorite, I’d recommend the Cajun Seafood (P480) that’s spicy and bold with smoky and robust flavors. The umami cajun sauce is best drizzled on top of the steaming, hot rice served with it. If you’re craving beef, their Steak Au Poivre (peppered steak, P890) is a good choice. The grilled tenderloin is succulent, thoroughly marinated, and well-seasoned, with their very own Avallach whiskey cream that’s not your usual gravy. It’s bold with flavor and packs a smoky punch.

Cajun Seafood: spicy, earthy, savory, and super fresh!

What makes some of these dishes extra special is that they are personal recipes of Cristina, who enjoyed much of her time doing their own take on fine dining at home which started back in the pandemic. “I perfected these recipes when my family would often cook at home and eat together, do taste tests, share our feedback, and do it all over again. The onion soup and truffle pasta are my kids’ favorites.”

Mutton Masala with a side of naan bread

Of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without a sweet ending, and with Chef Didier at the table, we were assured to indulge in only the best. Paris-born and world-renowned, the French culinary genius has been handling food since he was 13, and has since then traveled the world cooking for high-end restaurants, personalities, hotels, and resorts. “Food has to make sense. Presentation is great, yes, but it has to make sense. It has to taste great,” he said when asked about his food philosophy.

Steak Au Poivre in their signature Avallach whiskey cream gravy

As one of the close downlines of the man behind the well-known and most attributed Opera Cake, French Pastry Chef Gaston Lenotre, I couldn’t help but be in awe that I’d be tasting one of the best there is. And truly, my brain surged with dopamine after the first slice. Their Classic Opera Cake (P280/slice), made with coffee cream, chocolate ganache, and almond cake layers soaked in rum syrup and coffee is an exquisite way to end such an extravagant meal. L’Atelier du Grain, located just below the restaurant, is also under Chef Didier’s authority. The bakery served some of the best croissants and pastries I’ve ever had in my life. I had a strawberry croissant to-go and ate it in my cab as I headed back to the bus terminal on my way home, but then immediately had the driver turn around because I knew I had to get a couple more (caramel coconut is a must!!!).

Appealing French pastries that taste as good as they look

What’s remarkable about my experience at The Gallery by Witchcraft is that the people behind it had the utmost sincerity and love to offer such a fine and lavish experience to the residents and travelers of Baguio without having to break the bank. From the service to the extensive curation of food and drinks, they are passionate about elevating the food scene and becoming the new gold standard in craft breweries in the city. They are humble and eagerly open to feedback, so they can keep improving and innovating.

I know I already have many reasons to go back to Baguio, but this one has got to be the latest addition at the top of my list. Now that’s what I call a memorably extraordinary Pine dining.

The Gallery by Witchcraft is located at Military Cut-off Road, Baguio City. Opening Hours: Mondays to Thursdays 11 AM to 10 PM; Fridays and Saturdays 8 AM to 11 PM; Sundays 8 AM to 10 PM. Follow them on Facebook and on Instagram.

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