Antipolo eats: Pinto Art Museum's cafe is just as Instagram-worthy

ANTIPOLO -- Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City is an Instagrammer's paradise. Every corner of the Mission Revival architecture-inspired space is picture-perfect. There's art everywhere, from the indoor galleries to the sculptures hanging from trees.

And, of course, even the food is social media-ready.

Cafe Rizal by Peppermill is the museum's in-house restaurant. It serves various local and international cuisines in a charming and romantic setting.

The restaurant is furnished with vintage wrought iron furniture. Iron and wood tables and chairs are used in the indoor dining space, while the al fresco area has white wrought iron and glass garden dining sets.

The all-white Mission-style building that houses the restaurant is surrounded by lush gardens and tall trees. It also has a bar where guests can also try alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

It has an extensive menu with almost 100 dishes from appetizer to dessert. And the menu is perfect for picky eaters since Cafe Rizal serves Filipino and other various international cuisines Japanese, Thai, French, Spanish, Mexican, and more.

The eatery probably maximized the menu options so it can cater to more guests and considering it is the only restaurant in the museum's premises.

For the appetizer, the wait staff recommended the Dagupan shanghai, which is smoked milkfish (tinapang bangus), ground pork, and Saigon sweet chili fried spring rolls. There's also truffle fries, Indonesian satay, and shrimp popcorn on the starters menu.

The pizzas are also among the bestsellers, specifically the Vigan. The round thin crust pizza is topped with fresh tomatoes, Vigan longganisa, pancetta, and three kinds of cheese: mozzarella, smoked Gouda, and Padano. It's also topped with an egg in the middle of the savory pie. The restaurant likewise offer classic pizza margherita and oval-shaped thin crust pizzas.

For the pasta, the Mediterranean is a must-try. Penne pasta is served in a spicy cream sauce with sundried tomatoes, green and black olives, smoked chicken, and topped with fresh mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and arugula.

For the main course, there are several bestsellers including the chicken coq au vin—chicken leg quarter served in a rich Burgundy wine gravy-like sauce with shitake mushrooms, topped with French beans, and a side of garlic and parsley rice.

To finish the meal, Cafe Rizal serves several sweet endings including deep-fried Twinkies or Ding Dongs in tempura batter and served with vanilla ice cream; Carmen's Best salted caramel ice cream; panna cotta with fresh fruits; chocolate lava cake, mango cheesecake, and more.