Going for a stroll in Sonya’s Garden is a path leading to many discoveries. Guests are pleasantly surprised to find something new and exciting brewing amidst the greenery, another secret waiting to be discovered. Many have stumbled upon the Panaderia by following the scent of fresh dough baking in the oven. Behind its wooden doors is Sonya’s pastry shop where familiar aromas linger.

           The warm basket of whole wheat Sesame bread served at the restaurant is baked oven-fresh at the Panaderia daily. Sonya also wanted to bring back nostalgic pastries of the past, before the fast food chains proliferated, when merienda (mid-afternoon snack) meant heading to a small bakery by the side of the road to buy a piece of bread. Now she has revived traditional Filipino pastries like Spanish bread, kalihim, ogoy-ogoy, putok, monay and so on. Sonya’s version of the Spanish bread openly brings back memories of childhood when this sweet and buttery roll was a staple for breakfast or merienda. Best consumed warm with a cup of coffee, it has become a favorite pasalubong (coming home present). Then there’s Sonya’s cheese-flavored rendition of the Chinese hopia made with pure parmesan that often runs out as soon as they’re made.

           The cake specialties of the Panaderia that Sonya is particularly proud of is a rich chocolate cake smothered with dollops of chocolate icing (the same one served at the restaurant), and Lola Liling’s Sans Rival. The latter is a nutty French-inspired dessert named after Sonya’s mom, an excellent cook herself, who developed the chewy Sans Rival recipe that has been kept in the family for over 40 years.     
           This is also the place where guests purchase some of the offerings from Sonya’s restaurant, like bottles of Sonya’s Secret Salad Dressing and sun dried tomato pasta sauce. The crunchy broad beans mixed with her Garden Salad are also sold by the bottle here. The basil pesto and white cheese dips that has become comfort food to many make a wonderful ally to toasted whole wheat bread, also as pasta topping or as a French omelet filling.

           Adjacent to the panaderia is The Country Store. Inside is a collection of treasures Sonya has picked up from her travels abroad, some of which are the decorative ornaments found in the Bed and Breakfast Cottages. This is where guests can find some of the items used in the restaurant for sale. Bone china dinnerware can be purchased here, along with the famed hand-embroidered linens from Vietnam found all over the garden. Guests also love the wooden pasta fork and the incense burner with a special wooden box stand to drive mosquitoes away. There are also satin bathrobes, beaded jewelries from Baguio, Mangyan-inspired accessories and chic garden hats on display.

           Sonya also likes to carry local products of budding entrepreneurs such as native handicrafts and beauty products from neighboring communities. It is also a showcase of some furniture pieces handcrafted in wood by local artisans, like an ornately-carved French armoire and a European-inspired accent chair. Tourists and balikbayans who have been enthralled by the Sonya’s country living experience pick up their mementos here, ones that would always bring back memories of time well-spent at Sonya’s Garden.