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One Sunday afternoon, we went to San Juan, Batangas to visit San Juan Nepomuceno Church, then the Museum beside the church and we planned to eat at Calle Kanto Restaurant.
The Name
Calle Kanto Restaurant got its name from its location. The name “Calicanto” comes from its location in Barangay Calicanto, San Juan, Batangas. According to stories, Calicanto got its name after Tindahan ng Mamay Cale sa kanto.
The Food
Calle Kanto is a local restaurant in San Juan Batangas with alfresco dining and serves classic Filipino dishes. One of their specialties is Kapeng Barako Adobo which is basically the Pinoy adobo we all love plus Kapeng Barako. Another best seller in Calle Kanto Restaurant is Kapangpangan pork and chicken sisig. They also have homemade tapa and tocino. All the dishes served in Cale Kanto Restaurant come with pako (fern) with salted egg.
They also offer Milktes in Kapeng Barakoo series, hot and cold coffee. They have the flavorful Tsokolate E and A manually made from tablea using old batirol.
They grow local Kapeng Barako in their backyard. They roast and grind it manually using a lusong, an old tool for grinding coffee.
The Ancestral House
Calle Kanto is not your typical restaurant. It is in the backyard of an old ancestral house Casa Jaringa. The historic house was constructed by Manuel Jaringa, who was both a farmer and a member of the Katipunan during the Spanish colonial period. Manuel Jaringa is married to Valentina Jaringa. The house was inherited by Angeles Jaringa the youngest daughter of Manuel and Valentina. Later on, it was bought by Capt Jose L. Catapang Jr. – the son of Jose Jaringa Catapang and Nenita Loreno Catapang and the great grandson of Manuel and Valentina. Captain Jose L Katapang Jr is a Master Mariner, a Freemason, cycling enthusiast and antique collector. His passion for old and historic items motivated him to preserve and renovate the family heritage.
Our Experience
We ordered Bilao Kasalo B good for 2 people: Kapampangan chicken sisig, beef tapa, tinapang daing na bangus with rice and salad. The food was just fine, I didn’t find anything special. And I think it was too oily for my taste. We also ordered Blueberry Fruiteaz with Yakult which is refreshing – we even ordered again on our way back home as we love the taste of this fruit tea.
While waiting for our order I got the chance to take pictures of the ancestral house, The kitchen of the house is on the ground floor, where they prepare the food you order– and you can see them from the second floor of the ancestral house.
What really attracted me to try this restaurant was the place itself – the old ancestral house and the antique stuff inside. I find it inspiring and exciting to see old houses that are well-preserved.
Next time you visit San Juan, Batangas drop by at Calle Kanto Restaurant, it will be worth your time.
