We have plenty of Thai food joints in the Philippines, and they’re not all in Metro Manila. In fact, there’s a gem of a restaurant just a little south of the metro called Lime & Basil.
It originated in Alfonso, Cavite, which is a quick drive from the center of Tagaytay. It also used to have branches in Pasay City and even Baguio City. Recently, it opened its doors in my area in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Specifically, at Paseo de Santa Rosa, one of the oldest and busiest malls in the city.
In the past few months since our family started dining here, we’ve gone back several times. It was after the fourth or fifth visit when I decided this was very much worth a Resto run article.
For reference for those living in Metro Manila, Paseo de Santa Rosa is about an hour away from the Skyway on-ramp on a busy weekday. With light traffic, you can get to the area in just 45 minutes or so. The route is straightforward, as you simply head towards the South Luzon Expressway en route to the Cavite-Laguna Expressway and take the first or second exit.
The toll fees will add to the bill if you’re coming from the metro, but I say it’s well worth the drive if you’re craving authentic Thai cuisine.
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As Lime & Basil is in a mall, parking comes aplenty. There’s even shaded parking in the same building where the restaurant is located, and if you’re lucky, you wouldn’t even need an umbrella to get from the parking lot to the resto on stormy evenings. That said, on weekends, manage your expectations as Paseo de Santa Rosa can get quite busy on Saturdays and Sundays.
For persons with disabilities, it’s easy to access the restaurant itself regardless of wherever you park in the mall, as there are plenty of ramps and wide sidewalks for pedestrians.
One of the things I really like about Lime & Basil is the ambience. The restaurant is designed like a proper Thai place, with artwork and photographs hung on the walls to add to the vibe. The chairs are all comfy, the tables are more than enough, and the layout of the restaurant itself isn’t too cramped.
We’ve never actually dined here on a weekend, but on the Monday and Friday evenings that we eat here, it’s often a bit packed. I imagine on busy days, you’ll need to reserve slots or wait in line.
Lime & Basil’s food is as authentic as it gets. This is legit; that’s what I can say for sure. In the multiple times we’ve eaten here, the kitchen has never missed.
The kropek served here as appetizers are your typical crackers, but what really elevates it is Lime & Basil’s secret dipping sauce. It’s like a vinegar dip with plenty of lime and some hints of sweetness. It’s addicting, and if you eventually try it out and you agree, there are bottles of these for sale.
Since I’m allergic to crustaceans and I can’t eat shrimp, we always get the pad thai chicken. This is one of the best I’ve ever tried. The texture of the noodles is just right—not chewy but also not too soft. Personally, I think the flavor is perfect, with just the right amount of saltiness, sweetness, and acidity added to the dish. I’m not big on spicy food, but you could simply add condiments if you need that extra heat.
Another staple is the gai hor bai toey, which is a sweet, grilled chicken wrapped in pandan leaves. It’s got some kick to it, but it’s just right for me. This is one of my favorite dishes in the restaurant. You can eat it as is, or you can pair it with the pineapple fried rice chicken or the kao pad saparod gai which we also always get.
My dad particularly loves the Thai beef noodle soup, which is almost like bulalo but with a more herby and spicy flavor profile. It comes with bits of soft, melt-in-your-mouth beef and some meatballs. The noodles are nothing to rave about, but it’s when they combine altogether in the bowl of soup that the dish really comes alive.
The crispy pork kaprao is also a must-try here, but it’s a little spicier than the other dishes. That, however, makes it even better when paired with rice. We’re probably only halfway through the menu, so we haven’t exactly tried everything, but other notable mentions here include the pla som rod or crispy tilapia and the fried oyster mushrooms. The mango sticky rice, of course, is also worth trying out. I was also told that the Thai iced tea is quite good, though I’m not really big on that.
For an authentic Thai restaurant in a busy mall, pricing is actually not that bad. Rice meals here range from P300 to P600 depending on what you’re getting, and if you’re eating as a large group like us, you can opt to get a la carte orders. The servings, however, are only good for two people at most (except for the soups) so you have to manage your expectations.
We have the luxury of ordering many different items on the menu and sharing amongst ourselves since we’re usually a group of four to five people. We probably average P500 to P700 per head depending on the amount of food we get. The lower limit still gets us more than enough food, but when we do get desserts and drinks on the side, it also adds up to the bill. You can go down that route if you’re also in a sizeable group.
Lime & Basil is easily one of the best, most authentic Thai places I’ve dined in. It is a little pricey, I admit, but the quality of the food makes it all worth it. Besides, comparing it to what else is available in the area, it’s really not that bad.
If you’re waiting for a sign to try authentic Thai food or to go on a road trip/food trip to the south, this is it. I assure you: you won’t be disappointed.
Score: 9/10
Travel time from Manila: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Budget: P300 to P700 per head
Website/Reservations: Lime & Basil – Paseo
