Joseph's — Attraction in Baguio

Update: Great Food, Enjoyable Waitstaff, Supervisor Needs Some Improvement

You can find our initial experience at Joseph’s following the update to this review. We appreciate that the owner personally reached out, took accountability, and sincerely apologized for our experience. As a gesture of good faith, he invited us back for another meal, which we genuinely appreciated as we truly were excited to eat here.

The food was excellent—the halibut was perfectly cooked, and the dry-aged Black Angus was outstanding. The quality of the dishes definitely reflects the fine dining experience we hoped Joseph’s would provide.

That said, in the future I’d encourage the supervisor to take responsibility in the moment, acknowledge the error & show empathy for the situation. A great restaurant isn’t just about the food but also how guests are treated throughout their experience. I commend the owner for his professionalism.

On a side note, we completed our entire meal—soup, starters, mains, and dessert—in less time than it took just to receive our soup during our first visit.

Disappointing Experience – Poor Service for a Fine Dining Establishment

Joseph’s is one of the few fine dining options in Baguio, and given its reputation, I was willing to go through their strict reservation process, which required a ₱1,000 per person deposit and a full pre-order of our meal 12 hours in advance. This level of planning suggested a high-end experience, but unfortunately, the actual service fell far below expectations.

We arrived at 6:22 PM and were promptly seated. Our waiter confirmed our pre-ordered meal, and we ordered a bottle of wine. However, from that moment, service completely fell apart.

The table next to us, already ahead in their meal, were finishing their mains as we received our wine they then received their desserts, requested their bill, paid the bill and left and we still had not received any food. Soon after, another party of eight was seated. As time passed, we realized that while this new table, which arrived 30 minutes after us, was already finishing their salads and were receiving their 2nd course & we had yet to receive anything besides bread.

When I inquired about the delay, I was met with an incredibly unprofessional response from the manager/host, who simply told me to “Just wait, it’s coming.” After waiting another 10 minutes and seeing people at the new table finishing their second course before we had anything I went back to the host and asked to speak with the chef. She went into the kitchen for a for minutes and came back saying “He does not want to speak to you” This level of dismissiveness is unacceptable, especially in a restaurant that brands itself as high-end. While I was waiting to speak with the Chef our waiter indicated to my wife that he put the order in but it was overlooked. I only wanted someone to acknowledge the error and say we will make it right. That never happened.

A fine dining establishment should provide impeccable service, attention to detail, and respect for guests’ time. Sadly, Joseph’s failed on all fronts. If they require pre-orders and deposits, they should, at the very least, be able to serve meals in a timely manner. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend...

Our visit to Joseph's in Baguio was nothing short of magical—a perfect celebration of my wife's birthday and our six years of marriage. Nestled within the historic Laperal White House, which intriguingly was featured in the 2010 Philippine horror movie White House, the restaurant exudes an old-world charm that instantly captivates.

As we stepped into the beautifully decorated mansion, we were greeted by a cozy atmosphere adorned for the upcoming Christmas holiday. The warm glow of festive lights danced off the elegantly set tables, and a soothing loop of solo violin music played softly in the background, setting a romantic tone for the evening.

The staff welcomed us with genuine smiles, their friendly and accommodating nature making us feel immediately at home. They guided us to our table, where we began our culinary journey with the Duo of Duck—a delightful bowl of confit duck leg, seared duck breast, and tender white beans. Sharing this dish was a perfect start, and the complimentary focaccia bread that accompanied it was simply divine—soft and fresh inside with a perfectly crunchy exterior.

For the main course, I indulged in the halibut fillet served with julienned vegetables and a carrot and ginger sauce. The fish was cooked to perfection—tender and flaky. While the sauce was flavorful, it was a tad overpowering for my taste, but it didn't overshadow the overall excellence of the dish. I hope they consider toning it down just a notch. My wife savored the truffle cream pasta and tenderloin, both of which were exquisite and showcased the chef's remarkable skill.

Dessert was a highlight we'll cherish: Molten Chocolate Cake with vanilla bean sauce, seasonal fruit, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. As we cut into the cake, it oozed warm, rich chocolate—an indulgent finale that was both comforting and decadent. In a heartwarming gesture, the staff sang "Happy Birthday" to my wife and presented her with extra ice cream. Though we were delightfully full and couldn't finish it all, the gesture added a special touch to our celebration.

The evening was made even more memorable with a tour of the mansion. We explored the beautifully preserved upstairs, where bedrooms have been transformed into private dining halls. The master bedroom, featuring a stunning fireplace, was particularly enchanting. The historical elegance combined with the festive decorations made every corner of Joseph's feel like a scene from a classic holiday film.

The ambiance was intimate and relaxed, making it an ideal setting for a romantic date or special occasion. The entire experience, priced at around 4,500 PHP, was indeed on the higher side, but it was worth every peso for the unforgettable memories we created. We're already planning our return visit to try their renowned Beef Wellington, one of my all-time favorite dishes.

Our evening at Joseph's rekindled our love for Baguio and for each other, reminding us why this city holds such a special place in our hearts. If you're looking for a place that combines exquisite dining with historical charm and a touch of romance, Joseph's in the Laperal White House is the...

If I could rate it negative stars, I would.

We made a reservation here for Christmas dinner. We pre-ordered their 3 course Christmas menu. I got the smoked Iberico pork belly as my main, and it was essentially 90% fat. There was barely any meat. I brought this up to the server, and I was gaslighted and told that it’s really like that. She even went further to invalidate my by saying that prior to our visit, the reservations team has primed me already about this dish. Well yes, I was told it’s pork belly so it tends to have higher fat content making it succulent. I wasn’t told it was 90% fat. Succulence is not a slab of fat. There is no legit fine dining restaurant that serves pork belly this way. Yes it’s Iberico pork. So yes the marbling of the fat would be more of monounsaturated fat, the healthier fat. But no, I am not going to eat a slab of fat, the same way I won’t chug down a glass of olive oil just because it is a healthier form of fat.

No one from the kitchen even bothered to check why that plate of Iberico pork came back to the kitchen untouched. For a fine dining restaurant, I would expect the chef to be more concerned about these things.

Other food items were not good too. Beef wellington was dry and got inconsistent doneness. Beer battered fish was mushy, oily and too salty. The potatoes were undercooked. Mas masarap pa yung sa Fish and Co.

When my Iberico pork was served, I asked where the rice pilaf that comes with it was. I was told that my Iberico pork other doesn’t come with the sides/rice pilaf because it’s part of the Christmas menu, but that I can order the rice separately. I told the server the rice is clearly indicated in their Christmas menu. She didn’t even bother to check, brought me the Christmas menu to prove her point, but panicked when she saw that it really clearly states that rice is included.

In summary, food is very bad. Service is also very bad. No redeeming factor at all.

Mind you, this was a Christmas dinner. Not just any dinner. The 3 course Christmas menu is 3300++ per head. So yeah, I basically felt scammed.

In conclusion, Joseph’s is all just instagrammability. They fail miserably at food and service, which are the most important aspects a restaursnt should excel in.

Eat here if you want to get dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease. You’ve...