It’s here – a long overdue birthday post! I turned 28 this year, and all I wanted was to eat good food and forget about work and school for a while. I was lucky to be able to do exactly that…mostly. Comprehensive exams were right around the corner, but I decided to take a break from studying to celebrate.

We were choosing from a couple different restaurants, and instead of revisiting an old favorite, went with a new one we’d spotted in some friends’ Facebook posts. Gypsy Baguio is the highlands branch of Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe, a favorite of many foodies who frequent Maginhawa Street in Quezon City.

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We made a reservation, masked up, and headed over there for lunch. They have a big selection of foods, including some vegetarian, vegan, and low carb dishes. Since it was our first time, we wanted to try a bit of everything.

For appetizers, we ordered hummus kawarma and a bowl of fruit and nut salad. The hummus had a wonderful blend of spices and was topped with a handful of cherry tomatoes. We ended up ordering some extra pita bread to finish it off.

We’ve since gone back to Gypsy (Like I said – way overdue post) and both times, I ordered the fruit and nut salad. I love the fresh fruits tossed with cucumber slices, lettuce, and shredded carrots, plus nuts that add some crunch and sweetness. You also get a strawberry vinaigrette to drizzle on top which ties everything together nicely.

If you’re dining with a group, the porchetta is a must-try. The tender, fatty pork is so savory. Make sure you get a bite with some of that crispy layer of skin for the full experience.

Another dish I’d be happy to order again and again: their seafood laksa. This photo definitely doesn’t do it justice. The thin noodles soak up all the spices and go perfectly with the prawns and vegetables. We got it to share, but if you’re hungry (and love laksa), it could be a meal for one.

Gypsy does seafood right, and aside from the laksa, another testament to that is their burnt miso butter salmon. I usually eat salmon raw, but I love a lightly fried or grilled fillet. It’s a simple, satisfying dish, and when you cut into it, the flakiness of the fish is perfect.

True to our “little bit of everything” plan, we also ordered poultry. Gypsy’s Indian butter chicken is generously seasoned then garnished with almond slices. The flavor is rich, so we had it with multi-grain rice, which is one of several side dishes they offer.

Chef Waya herself stopped by our table to say hello and even offered a free dessert when she found out it was my birthday. The pistachio strawberry cake was a sweet ending to an incredible meal. We’ll definitely be back for more of the great food, friendly service, and chill ambiance that makes Baguio a great place to celebrate.

Gypsy Baguio by Chef Waya is located at #6 Quezon Hill Road 2. Their Quezon City branch is at #28 Maginhawa Street. They are open daily from 11am to 8pm. Contact them at 09278517856 for reservations and inquiries, and check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more info and pictures. Don’t forget your mask and face shield!