Living in the same neighborhood where Susan Hassig’s Vieux Chalet (pronunciation: vyoō shalā) is located has its perks. Susan has graciously hosted a couple of breakfast meetings of the Taktak Road homeowners, including the one we had this morning.

I was among the first to arrive. Susan had prepared a long table setting for 14-16 persons and a smaller table laid out for 6 pax.

Most of those expected to attend arrived shortly and breakfast started at 8:30 a.m. We had coffee, basil tea, and mango shakes (sweetened with and darkened by muscovado) to go with a buffet of pancakes, sausages, ham, bacon, eggs (scrambled and sunny side up), bread and butter, and fresh fruits. Here’s T. Jeanne leading off for the ladies.

As we enjoyed the fare, the group talked about updates on community projects initiated by the homeowners and discussed proposals for new ventures.

One of the first establishments to open in this part of Antipolo (now teeming with resorts), Vieux Chalet has kept pace with the competition commercially, and one-ups them in the social responsibility department. It regularly sponsors child-feeding programs, and Susan (below listening to Fr. Manny) is also a member of the foundation that provides livelihood assistance and day-care services in Purok Sampaguita.

If you’ve been to Vieux Chalet more than once before, you’ve probably noticed that Susan - a part-time artist - loves playing around with the interior decor. The current set-up showcases a mother-and-child by Willam Yu on the window near the entrance …

… and, across the restaurant at the opposite window, a Sayman painting of two fishermen hauling in their catch…

… while atop the piano rests this intriguing mask-on-a-hand-pedestal piece amid loose music sheets …

Oh, just in case you’d like to check out today’s specials on the menu, here they are:

So, if you’re interested in going to Vieux Chalet for the first time or visiting it anew as T. Connie often does, contact the Swiss resto at 697-0396 and ask for Rico the maître d’.

Congratulations to Susan and the Hassig family for maintaining this gem of a place all these years!

Posted in: Props, A HEdCen Oldie's POV, Photo Gallery | | February 2009