Cellphone signal was not totally reliable in the mountain ranges of Quirino, as it is usual in places with varying altitudes and dense forests. It was for that reason that when we left Landingan Viewpoint, we had to rely to the instructions of the locals who pointed us where to go to grab some breakfast: just drive further down the road and we will see a place where we may eat.

So we drove. With online maps down, we were practically clueless as to where we were going. The spectacular views along the road made us to bother less, so much so that we even went down from the car to take photos.

About 10 minutes on the road, having toyed the idea that we were probably lost already, we saw the restaurant we were looking for, serenely seated at the foot of a hill behind the mountains.

Grill & Resto by Maria Rosario is a restaurant literally hidden in Nagtipunan, Quirino. Situated right beside Gawagan Nature Park, it offers local and traditional cuisine in the midst of an ambience that will definitely make you feel that you are one with nature.

We were supposed to just have the typical silog meal, greens salad and shakes for our meal, but Ran said that he wanted to try something that is exclusively local. We hence ordered a baboy ramo dish na nagustuhan naman ni Ran, pero with all due respect to the locals and their customs, did not sit well with my palate. There is nothing wrong with the dish, hindi lang talaga ako pang-exotic na putahe, sorry. If you are into exotic dishes though, you may want to give it a try.

The rest of the food though? Sumptuous!

We did have a great time at Grill & Resto by Maria Rosario, and even chanced to talk to someone who was originally from Bulacan who has already settled down in Quirino.

When we had our fill, we walked around and took some photos around the restaurant and the neigboring Gawagan Nature Park. Very much like Landingan Viewpoint, the area has beautiful landscapes of flowers.

Tummies and eyes filled, it was time to go. The idea was just to do a hit-and-run. Clueless as we were as to what to do in Quirino due to lack of planned itinerary, we would want to spend less time on the road as much as possible.

Should you happen to go to Nagtipunan, Quirino, you may want to consider Grill & Resto by Maria Rosario for your meals. It is definitely worth the journey! Gustuhin ko mang sabihing ang sarap balik-balikan, ang layo lang kasi talaga.

Go check our handy Renegade Directory for more details.