I first caught wind of this place when I saw it featured on local (then national) television for their coffee, which is a mix of arabica coffee (Benguet’s version of the barako) and chili or capsicum (sili). To say that I was intrigued would be an understatement, but the place is not the most accessible (or practical) for someone like me since it is alllll the way in Shilan. See, I work at Km. 0, I live at Km. 6, and the Dinawis Cafe and Restaurant is located at Km. 11. See my predicament?
November 1, the family took a day trip to our hometown to visit the graves of our dearly departed. On our way back home later that evening, we dropped by Dinawis and, great luck, they were actually open!!
I suppose everyone else went to their hometowns or simply stayed home. We had the entire place to ourselves. YAY~!
The Location
The Dinawis Cafe & Restaurant is located at Km, 11, Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet, along the national highway, and right across the KT Trading Building. Specializing in grilled foods, the resto occupies the whole second floor of the building. It is also an art gallery, because its walls are lined with paintings by local artists. Since it is perched on the side of the mountain, it offers an amazing view of several barangays of La Trinidad below and, if you’re there during the golden hour, I’d bet the sunset is going to be spectacular.
To get there from Baguio or Poblacion, La Trinidad, ride a jeep plying the Shilan or Acop road. Or, take a cab.
January 2017 Update: this restaurant has since moved along the road in Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet, with a branch at Km. 4, La Trinidad, across the road from Tiong San and after the street going to Pines Park.
If you’re coming from Baguio,
- Take a cab and tell the driver to bring you to Puguis or Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet. If he does not know where the restaurant is located, it’s before the Puguis Elementary School. On the right side, if you’re coming from Baguio.
- Ride on a jeepney plying the Puguis or Pico route, and just tell the driver to drop you off at Dinawis. They’ll know where it is. (You can find their jeepneys behind the Baguio Centermall in Magsaysay, or at Rizal Park in Bokawkan, across the road from the Baguio City Hall.)
- Ride on a jeepney plying the Baguio-Trinidad route, get off at Km. 5 in front of the Public Market, and ride on a jeep plying the Puguis-Pico route. This is much roundabout, haha!
The Resto
I was surprised at how spacious the place is. It has a high ceiling, and the paintwork also made it look even wider and more spacious than it already is. The tables are well-spaced together. You would think that they would literally fill it with lots of tables (think Jollibee or McDonalds) but no, they didn’t.
From what I saw, it was very clean. The restrooms too were very clean and well-maintained. There were faucets where diners can wash their hands (because, really, some foods are best eaten using your hands). I would’ve taken photos of the restrooms, but at that time, even I was wigged out by the idea. Haha!
The place opens at 7:30am so this is frequented by customers for breakfast. The view is reportedly amazing. We got there when dusk has already crept, so no sunset sighting for us, but the glimpse I had through this window was already a sign of greater things to be seen.
I did mention that this is also a gallery, didn’t I? Here are some paintings hanging on the walls.
Some of the paintings are for sale. And soooo pricey~!!
The Food
There were 6 of us, so we settled on the Boodle Bilao Fight, which is good for 4 to 6 hungry people. Probably up to 8 if they are not too hungry. Choose from 3 Bilao sets: all-fish (Php800), all-meat (Php999), and combination (Php1,200). A bit steep, right? But I suppose that’s acceptable, since it includes unlimited rice, unlimited soup, and unlimited iced tea.
I did say they serve grilled foods, right?
Our order, the combination Boodle Bilao Fight.
So how was it? Tasty. Their soup is yummy. I was never a huge fan of squid, but this one was grilled just right, so it’s tender and, yes, juicy! My Dad feasted on the Bulalo, though. He called dibs on it.
While perusing the menu, there were several things that jumped out at me. They also serve rice toppings, side orders and vegetable dishes. But they also serve Sinanglao (Php120), Wat-wat Rice (Php120), Wat-wat Mami (Php50), Pinulpog (Php120), and Wat-wat (Php120).
Of course, I had to try the Dinawis Coffee with Special Sili. When I first had a sip, I didn’t feel that much of a bite. It turns out the guy made it mild when he heard me saying that I am tasting it for the first time. I gave it back and requested him to make it “hot”, please.
Then he gave it back, and I FELT IT.
Coffee with a bite. And I don’t take sugar with my coffee, so…
Sip it, it’s just like normal Arabica coffee (sans sugar). Wait a bit, and the chili taste sinks in.
I. LOVED. IT..
The Price
I haven’t seen the servings of their single orders, but I thought their price list are somewhere between low- to mid-priced.
The Service
I can’t be objective enough about the speed of their service because, well, we were the only ones there. But it was quite fast, and they are also attentive, so you won’t have trouble calling their attention if you need rice, soup, or iced tea refill.
I’d love to come back here to check out how hoppin’ the place gets during lunch hour or dinner on regular days.
And they have free Wi-Fi, too. Just ask for the password.
Will I go back?
Yes. If only to have their coffee.
Oh, and the mug of coffee costs Php20.00 only. And according to their menu, they also serve free coffee. I suppose this comes with their single orders.
(The Dinawis Cafe and Restaurant serves breakfast from 7:30am to 10am. Visit them on Facebook.)
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