La Collina is a modern Spanish bistro in a comfortable lounge setting with a homey feel amidst the quiet neighborhood of Molina and Quintos streets, just at the outskirt of the Poblacion district peppered with grungy bars.

Guests call La Collina as a “suburban oasis” with a warm and inviting atmosphere – its design earthly and elegant with a dramatic bar right at the center of its first floor dining area.  Make your way to the second floor with interiors filled with rattan drop lights, wood furniture and lots of green lush.  La Collina is a conversion from an old boarding house to a hip, stylish and classy European-style bistro from the same interior design team that designed Blackbird, Baby Imperial and Coco Anne of B&C Design.

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Anita Celdran, who has always been as passionate about the environment and climate change as she is with cooking and the Slow Food movement, welcomed us at La Collina that Saturday.  Her goal is to serve homey quality food with a low carbon footprint.

On the Table

Arancina P350

Risotto balls with mozzarella

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Break through the thin, crispy coating of these little rotund golden orbs to reveal ultra-rich creamy risotto rice and strings of molten mozzarella that surface when your teeth sink to it.

Frito Misto P450

Baby Shrimp, Squid & Tawilis

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This platter of assorted seafood from La Collina includes squid, shrimp and Tagaytay / Batangas’ tawilis – all local and fresh.  Squeeze some lemon and snack away every light crunch from this deep fried dish.

Ravioli P495

Blue crab with picant cherry tomato

Thin pasta dough shaped into edible pillows filled with shredded luscious blue crab meat served in a light sauce freshened up by these sweet tomato bites.  Taste of summer on a plate.

Cochinillo Black Pig

Native breed, organic fed from Sambali Beach Farm

I mean who cannot pay attention when a beast takes over the whole table conversation.  The skin crackles and the meat, sweet, salty, juicy and the evidence dripping and glistening my fingers for glutton.  Don’t hesitate to order this in advance.

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