Chez Deo: A stopover for Italian cuisine in Balayan

Balayan in Batangas was an unfamiliar destination to me until I met my future husband, whose family hails from there. He would bring me there on road trips at least once a year. The town is popularly known for its Feast Day of San Juan, which coincides with the Parada ng Lechon Festival every June 24.

On any other day, though, there’s not much to do except maybe treat your taste buds to something special from Chez Deo Ristorante Italiano @Gliceria.

It comes as no surprise to see ancestral homes and similar structures in this quiet little town, but it’s amazing to see contemporary establishments like Chez Deo, which is situated in a renovated house and is probably the most “upscale” restaurant in the area.

My first impression was that it felt out of place in this rural location, but when I dined there I felt right at home in the comfortable setting. As we entered the gate, I saw a sprawling lawn that was beautifully landscaped—not too manicured, but not shabby either. The open-air but tented dining area on the ground floor featured simple furnishings—stylish red plastic chairs and tables covered in checkered cloths. From my seat, I had a clear view of the brick oven where they bake their bread and pizzas.

Unexpected palate pleasures

We began our meal with our preferred antipasto, Mozzarella Fritto (P220), mozzarella cheese sticks coated in pesto crumbs and deep-fried, then served with fresh tomato concasse. There were only four pieces per serving and although it didn’t quite satisfy our hungry bellies, I found it tasty and made me look forward to the rest of the meal. The mozzarella sticks were practically gone in 60 seconds; good thing we were given complimentary focaccia bread to whet our appetite as well.

We skipped the soup and salad and headed straight to the specialties—pizza and pasta. For the five of us, we got two pies to share—Quattro Formaggi (P320) and Tutte Le Carne (P300). I liked the rich and creamy taste of the cheese pizza with its combination of Parmesan cheese, gorgonzola, cream cheese, and mozzarella on a bed of tomato sauce. I also enjoyed the piquant flavor of the meat pizza topped with pepperoni, bacon, onions, bell pepper and cheese. Both were so good that it only took a matter of minutes to finish both servings. The pizza was light and easy to eat because of its thin crust, and the fact that it just came out of the brick oven added more to its yummy factor.

There were a variety to meal entrées like the osso bucco, which my father-in-law ordered, and other dishes like steak, pork belly, chicken cordon bleu, and fish & chips. My hubby and I decided to share a pasta dish though. We chose from the extensive menu that included pasta options cooked in tomato sauce, cream sauce, and olive oil base. The Cozze e Gamberoni (P220) appealed to us because we couldn’t resist the mouthwatering combination of mussels and prawns cooked in olive oil and white wine sauce. The sauce was light but the serving was hefty. There were a lot of noodles and shells but only a couple of prawns. Still, I don’t think I could’ve finished the whole plate on my own without feeling guilty from overeating afterwards.

The menu also offers coffee and desserts like panna cotta, homemade ice cream and tiramisu, but we didn’t get a chance to try any. I saw that Chez Deo also serves alcoholic beverages like local beers, imported brews, and even wine. I could imagine it turning into a nice, laidback drinking place at night.

I’m looking forward to the next time we go there again. And although I didn’t get a chance to meet Deo de Castro to offer my compliments to the chef, I believe that his cooking really stands out in that area and would even be at par with similar restaurants in Metro Manila. — BM, GMA News

Chez Deo is on Fe Street, Balayan, Batangas. Call (43) 211-6868 or (0927) 306-4774.