The fresh way to a healthy meal is through a Grapevine -2

Local sources

"Commercial chickens are usually fed fishmeal diets for their protein

requirements," Alleje explains. "The chickens may not notice what's in their food,

but their meat becomes malansa when cooked."

What about the beef? You'll probably rave about Grapevine's meat dishes

without going "mad." The beef, she assures, is sourced locally and not from

abroad, especially not from her native Europe. Grapevine also caters to groups

with special dietary requirements.

"We may not be a vegetarian restaurant," she says, "but we can prepare a special

vegetarian meal as long you give us enough time."

But vegetarian or not, she adds, diners will get only the best and freshest

ingredients. Unlike some organic restaurants, Grapevine sources its dairy and

poultry needs direct from the family-owned Rizal Dairy Farms in Antipolo.

As an active member of Organic Producers Trade Association of the Philippines,

Alleje is also assured of getting a steady supply of fresh vegetables for her

kitchen.

Aside from dairy products such as milk, yogurt, butter, mozzarella and regular

cheese from Rizal Dairy, she also sells free-range chicken and organically grown

vegetables on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Alleje has been exposed to the food business at an early age. Her grandmother

used to own a restaurant back home. In fact, the business management graduate

found herself in the Philippines sometime in 1988 to help her father, also named

Tony, manage his restaurant in Antipolo called Vieux Chalet. Tony's Filipino

widow, Susan Reyes-Hassig, now manages the place.

And you don't have to speak French or English should you have any complaints

or suggestions about the food. Alleje speaks Filipino like a native. The former

interpreter also speaks German and a sprinkling of Spanish.

"I believe in healing through nutrition," she says. "The health benefits also come

back to you care of a healthy environment."

Her fluency in several languages will, no doubt, serve her well as she tries to

convince more people of the virtues of going organic.