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Category: Makati

  • Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Raintree Restaurants’ Simplé Lang is well-respected, and although I admit that I’m not quite as in love with Filipino cuisine as everyone else seems to be, I now understand why people are liking the dishes being served at this restaurant. Simplé Lang has got me excited about trying Filipino food once again, as I saw how beautifully they were presented.

    With hand-picked ingredients and appetizing colors, the featured food on the menu haven’t fully departed from the true tastes of local food fare we’re familiar with; they are just more interesting. Simplé Lang in Ayala Triangle Gardens is a great place to go if you want a quick Pinoy fix.

    Review of Simplé Lang (Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    We came for dinner at 7PM. Ayala Triangle Gardens was very dark at night, but the buzzy atmosphere in Simplé Lang makes this restaurant a joy to come back to. We managed to get a table quickly, and with bright lights, wooden furniture and cozy interior, we felt a bit like we just walked into a another dimension.

    The dining areas are divided into the al fresco setting, the indoor first floor and the second floor. Stimulating colors everywhere tend to raise one’s appetite, promoting a positive attitude and outlook on surroundings. The printed words on the walls are well-chosen and are catchy, not going out of style soon.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The customer service makes the restaurant reflect as family friendly. The staffs were a reflection of Filipino hospitality at best! It didn’t take long for dishes to arrive one after the other. We were seated at the second level, yet it wasn’t also hard to call the attention of servers. There’s one or two stationed on the floor attending to our requests.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Subtly unique, the Tinapa’t Tops Salad (PhP 185.00) was as good as I expected for an appetizer. It had kamote tops, kangkong, alugbati tops, tomatoes, red onions and salted egg dressing. This salad had a variety of layered textures and different tastes with some sort of breadcrumb-y dusting of goodness thanks to the tinapa bits. It’s a neat salad tossed with fresh greens. Eating the leaves alone will make your doctor happy.

    As I took a small portion of the Fresh Lumpia Rolls (PhP 95), I remembered home. The roll was basically stuffed with vegetables and was filled with muscovado sauce, garlic and sesame peanut sprinkle. If you’re into lumpia rolls, consider this a must order.

    The Longaniza Tortang Talong “Pancake” (PhP 260.00) must be a trendsetter. It was made with rounds of fried eggplant, salted egg, tomatoes and onion salad. It’s easily one of the best you should have. Dump half of a slice to ketchup to get more flavor going. It sets the tone for the rest of the meal.

    There was something special about the MBT (Monggo Bagnet Tinapa) (PhP 175). Aha, it was the bagnet (deep fried crispy pork with its skin on)! It worked. The stew has been cooked for hours and topped with sili (chili) leaves. What I liked about this course was its different approach with an authentic Filipino flair.

    The Mixed BBQ Plate (PhP 595.00) consisted of chicken inasal (three pieces), leg quarter, pork barbecue (two pieces), and squid (two pieces). At least for my liking: Pork < Squid < Chicken Insasal. The sauce used for marination was rich, certainly sweet and tangy.

    Rice, when eating tasty barbecues like these, is always necessary. Topped with chicken skin and inasal oil, Inasal Java Rice (PhP 165.00) is the one to go with.

    I’m not even sure why, but it’s a forgone conclusion that a Filipino restaurant like this will serve Crispy Chop Chop Pork Belly Dinakdakan (PhP 195). This one’s fine, but it won’t have me ordering it again. Clue: I’m no big meat-eater. 😛

    The Seafood Bicol Express (PhP 375) for me was the hit sensation of the night. It came as a fiery, delicious bowl with shrimps, squid, clams, fish fillet and sayote (vegetable pear) shreds in coconut milk. I absolutely enjoyed every spoonful of this dish with Sisig Rice (PhP 180).

    Sinigang na Crispy Bagnet sa Watermelon (PhP 395.00)—oh, this is what dreams are made of. Seriously, there’s watermelon in the sinigang soup as well as kangkong (river spinach) and labanos (radish). The fruity and sweet flavor of the watermelon juice exploded and it made sense to be combined with the sour taste of the broth as it wasn’t overpowering. The unconventional ingredients were a plus, even if they sounded ridiculous, making up for a version that’s even better than the regular sinigang. I loved it. So will you. ♥

    On the other hand, the Grilled Stuffed Whole Bangus (PhP 285.00) was pretty standard and had no wow factor as the others, with green mango and tomato stuffing, and fresh calamansi. It’s a solid choice but not better than the grilled bangus in Bangus.

    For desserts, we had the Halo Halo and  Mango Madness Crush (PhP 175.00) with fresh mangoes, ice cream, custard and puree with sago and crushed ice. These were a nice change of pace from all the delectable main courses, a good solution to tropical heat as they’re very icy, refreshing, and easy to eat with enough cream.

    Verging on the not-so-sweet end, the Buko Pandan Pinipig Crush (PhP 150.00) was also nicely executed. It was served with coconut cream. We felt we needed our own, if only we weren’t too full. 😛

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The irony is that even when I’ve lived in the Philippines for almost all the years of my life, there are just a handful of restaurants serving Filipino food that I’m proud about. Simplé Lang at Ayala Tringle Gardens is the kind that I can recommend to friends who are visiting Metro Manila / Makati and would want to grab a bite of our food.

    The drive, the delicious aroma upon entry, the queue, and then finally confronting the beautiful, massive tray of authentic Filipino food before your face is all part of the experience. Well, it’s time to put your car to good use. You need a ride to Simplé Lang and try the best on their menu. Food are well-priced and would be worth the trip.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreesimplelang” name=”Simple Lang” description=”Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 621-6161 or (02) 621-61-62″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-18″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Terraz Bistro and Meetings by Raintree Restaurants is almost like a little secret, as it’s housed at the third floor of the Zuellig Building in Makati and it’s operating actively only during the weekdays (Mondays to Fridays, 11AM to 11PM). Clearly, its target market belongs to the working professionals in the area, the yuppies, and those who want food that has good value for their money without sacrificing quality.

    This restaurant is a beautiful joint that offers a relaxed atmosphere for anyone who either wants to wear a suit or dress it down and feel fine (but please, no wearing of slippers, says the Management). Terraz is a perfect place to hold social events, corporate meetings and even romantic dinners.

    Review of Terraz Bistro and Meetings (Zuellig Building, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The design at Terraz Bistro Meetings is one that can only be described as private, intimate and modern. A seamless blend of bright colors, muted tones and mirrors produce a subtle elegance all throughout. While there are tables you see openly as you walk across the dining area, there’s a separate section further inside the restaurant where six conference rooms for meetings and events are placed.

    These are conducive to organized bookings of small to medium groups of people getting down to business without being interrupted. I absolutely love the concept! The layout of the restaurant is expansive as it also offers accommodation for seating outside where fresh air can be enjoyed.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was fast, efficient and operative. Communication was professional—as it should be. Delivery of food to the table was done well. Our experience was delightful as well because of the staff’s friendliness. It made the visit worthwhile.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna (PhP 275) is not your typical salad as it’s served with all kinds of goodness including the pan-seared ahi tuna, romaine lettuce, sliced Japanese cucumber, and vine cherry tomatoes in sesame dressing. It had that conglomerate of flavors that’s ideal when you’re looking for a great starter. The highlight must be the tuna, which will make tuna fans out of their comfort zone.

    Arguably though, the Terraz Chef Salad (PhP 295) was about three times better than the first. 😛 This is because of the rich ingredients, namely: crispy parma ham, grilled bacon, red wine, roast beef in light salt and pepper vinaigrette and ranch dressing, apart from the romaine lettuce and  hard boiled eggs we’re used to find in salads. I tried every single one and declare the grilled bacon and roast beef as best. Without question, this salad dish is a must-order.

    Let me assure that the tilapia in Buttered Tilapia Saltimbocca (PhP 350) must have been grown in clean waters because it didn’t taste like dirt or something earthy. It was cooked well and served with vegetable pilaf, asparagus, sage tomato sauce and grain creamy mustard sauce.

    The Pan-seared Boneless Chicken Cream Emince (PhP 350) came out with white-sauce pasta, Terraz baked potato, peppered asparagus and creamy mushroom. The creamy factor to the sauce hits the spot. I dislike white pasta but liked the dish as a whole.

    Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to the Simple Saffron Spaghetti (PhP 250). This dish exemplified that theory. It consisted of homemade spaghetti pasta (thin, smooth and tasty), fresh spinach and smoked grilled asparagus.

    Now onto why you’d really want to dine in at Terraz Bistro and Meetings… The Spicy Terraz Corned Beef Adobo (PhP 495) is an obligatory dish to order. Standing out as a house specialty, it’s the best corned beef we’ve ever tasted made with a glorious combo of slow cooked meat and sides such as garlic pumpkin, sweet mashed potatoes, and crispy white cheese (kesong puti). You’ll love these delicious pieces in one plate.

    Whoa. I’ve seen, heard and tasted veal cheeks for the first time here and I’ve been intrigued. We agreed that the Merlot Braised Veal Cheeks was another winner. I know I have just already hinted that the Spicy Terraz Corned Beef Adobo was vying for best dish of our lunch meal, but I can’t help to say that this was on that same level. It was made with crushed garlic potato, olive oil, marinated root vegetables. Now I don’t anymore wonder how it’s like.

    The Grilled Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallion and Foie Gras (PhP 695) would be the second best thing on the menu if it weren’t for so many other second best things present. Served with macaire potato, sauteed vegetables, mushroom ragout and merlot sauce, this creation was completely crafted with a balance of flavors and beautiful presentation.

    Moving on to the desserts, we had Pavlovaz (PhP 150)—a cream-topped light, and airy meringue of Aussie or New Zealand extraction topped with fruit slices and whipped cream. It’s sweet, fruity and refreshing. I want more…but I’ve consider doing more cardio first. 😛

    Last to fill our stomach was the Crepe Samurai (PhP 150), which looked like a volcano crater exploding with the mixed tastes of cinnamon sugar, caramel and fruity notes as there were small chunks of mango and banana swimming in the creamy sauce. Amazing. Those who have a sweet tooth will see this as a show-stealer. For sure, it can’t be skipped.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Terraz Bistro and Meetings exactly knows the market it caters. Food is tremendous and ambiance is great. For all these, prices are right for the value being offered. Add good service and a prime location into the mix and you’ve got yourself a brand new go-to spot for brainstorming sessions, lunch meetings with vendors, partners or clients, and/or special dates. That’s the move!

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreeterraz” name=”Terraz Bistro and Meetings” description=”3/F Zuellig Building, Makati Ave. cor Paseo de Roxas, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +632-625-4831 or +632-625-4832″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-16″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    The Museum Café is one of Raintree Restaurants’ good, casual yet elegant restaurants serving Modern Asian Cuisine in an enjoyable environment day in and day out. It’s located right beside the Ayala Museum in Greenbelt along Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa. If you have to book for an early business meeting or just want to start the day right with delectable breakfast, this place can seal the deal. M Café opens up at 8:00AM daily and closes at 12 midnight. Apart from the food, the pretty ambiance plus free WiFi here can make you forget half of your life problems for a while. 😉

    Review of Museum Café (Greenbelt 4, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The Museum Café is a noteworthy dining-out option in the heart of Makati’s commercial business district. Dining halls are wide and spacious, in both the first and second floors. The lights? Lovely. Decorations? Exquisite. The counter, the floor and the walls are filled with elaborate touches making up for an upscale theme. It’s essentially like eating at a rich aunt’s home. M Café is bright, personable and compelling as a restaurant serving Asian food with a twist. Outside, tables, stools and a bar counter with alcoholic drinks displayed set the mood for the nightlife.

    The Museum Café extends to Kabila, another Raintree Restaurant, on the other side of the room. Kabila is a Filipino bistro which occupies the space formerly known as the Ayala Museum gift shop.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    One star went away because I witnessed how a couple of customers walked out of the restaurant after not being heard or seen when calling the servers’ attention. It was very early in the morning and they were among the first customers who entered after me. Most staff were stationed at the counter area fronting the entrance only adjacent to where the customers were seated. This was probably why notice was not given immediately within supposed waiting time.

    When the space became busier later, the servers were spread around the place. They delivered food and drinks with speed. I hope they show the same attentiveness and grace to heighten any diner’s experience anytime.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    M Café tops its Pancakes (PhP 250) and Waffles (PhP 250) with ripe mangoes, watermelon and granny smith and serves them with maple syrup, butter and peanut butter. These are staple breakfast items that are good for sharing because they’re heavy on the stomach. They’re buttery, crusty on the outside and still soft and hot on the inside. I tried drizzling peanut butter onto the waffles and pancakes for the first time and the result was so good, surprisingly. Peanut butter as a substitute was a little more sophisticated than the usual maple syrup or butter. If you find yourself trying to decide between the two, let me help you make that decision—get the waffles, please. 🙂

    Impeccably presented, the M Benedict came in two variations: Jamon Excellente (PhP 375) and Smoked Salmon (PhP 375). Both were served with poached egg, hollandaise arugula and grilled cherry tomatoes. These were certainly interesting as the combined tastes of the fresh ingredients worked very well together. The Jamon Excellente reminded me of Christmas. The dry cured ham was above average. Still, I thought the smoked salmon was better. One bite did more than getting the job done for me. The taste of salmon stood out and hands down, it was delicious.

    The Anise Scented Beef Congee (PhP 295) arrived hot in a bowl with flavorful and hearty broth that’s almost creamy except there was no cream added. Not too thick, the beef congee was tasty and had the right amount of salt. I felt glad that not a lot of meat was put into it, else it would ruin the simplicity of this good comfort food.

    Topped with spring onions, shiitake mushrooms and shimeji mushrooms, the Hainan Chicken Noodles (PhP 350) was a modest-looking dish but tasted far more vibrant than it looked. The chopped chicken was gloriously moist, swimming in the noodle soup that tasted good even without the chicken meat. This course may not be exactly what you’d expect to crave here at the Museum Café, but the hot soup is a good choice to find warmth on a cold day.

    Accompanying our orders of the congee and noodles, the option to choose among three pieces of siu mai, shrimp dumplings or shark’s fin was given. We had the siu mai and the shrimp dumplings. The siu mai consisted of plenty of pork goodness waiting inside, while the shrimp dumplings (har kow) got points for being especially good as they were very dense and stuffed to the brim with tasty shrimp meat. Yummy! 😀

    Finally, we found ourselves queuing up to the Omelette Station. We watched as the staff cooked and prepared the omelette according to the ingredients we dictated. Mushrooms, bell peppers, leafy greens and onions were available. Cheese can also be added per request. I wondered why it took long before the omelette was done. The scrambled egg came out moist and soft. I liked it but wouldn’t order it more than once. I mean it was nothing different and spectacular.

    Take a look at Museum Café’s breakfast menu here.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    For all our orders, the portions were just right. Food tastes and textures were good but not enough to have me neither eye-rolling nor heart-clutching for being extra pleased. Prices are considerably high so I’d recommend Museum Café if you want a spot for a big group outing (e.g.  birthday dinner or celebration variety). This is also a nice restaurant to bring a date. You’ll be sure to enjoy a special meal with great decor and an innovative menu in a homey/romantic atmosphere.

    ‪#‎willexploremakati‬ ‪#‎makatirestauranttour2014‬ #‎raintreerestaurants‬ bloggers

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.facebook.com/raintreemcafe” name=”Museum Café ” description=”Ayala Museum Complex, Makati Avenue, corner Dela Rosa St., Makati City, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +632-757-3000, +632-757-6000, +632-391-4197″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-15″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Wee Nam Kee (Glorietta 2, Makati City)

    Review of Wee Nam Kee (Glorietta 2, Makati City)

    Last Saturday, we have sampled Wee Nam Kee’s latest incarnation of dishes this 2014. Wee Nam Kee in the fashionable Glorietta 2 Makati was last among all WNK branches to release the chain’s newest menu of reasonably priced plates of Singaporean-Chinese cuisine. The servings are matched with creative drinks and desserts options, and I really appreciated them all.

    Review of Wee Nam Kee (Glorietta 2, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    By far, this is the largest Wee Nam Kee branch in the metro, in terms of floor space. Upon entrance, Wee Nam Kee in Glorietta 2 displays bird cages that I found somewhat irrelevant to the theme. Later, I learned that they’re placed there to symbolize chicken and the role is to entice diners to have chicken rice. Did I get that right? Honestly, I wasn’t convinced. 😐

    Moving on, unlike the ambiance of Wee Nam Kee branches in Singapore, Wee Nan Kee branches in the Philippines are designed in a modern European slash Asian fashion. This one in Glorietta 2, for instance, is a stark opposite to the typical gloomy and uninviting hawker-like WNK dining areas in SG.

    Walk to the function room and you’ll see a wall where framed pictures taken in Singapore are hanged. They serve to inform or remind people that it was in Singapore where Wee Nam Kee was first established and gained popularity. Other pictures consisted of SG sites, and one of the most recognizable was the Singapore Flyer. Overall, the great atmosphere makes this branch ideal for a crowd.

    Service: ★★★★★

    This restaurant is not a palace by any means, but the staff did care for diners and acted upon requests and orders quite fast and kindly. They were unobtrusive most of the time yet were readily available to serve customers in a tranquil way.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Before you continue reading down below, note that everything served here was for sharing, so you may assume that the number of dishes we had was at the direction of the Wee Nam Kee’s marketing manager and not because we’ve gone mad. :mrgreen:

    We started with the Crispy Mantou Bread with Condensed Milk (PhP 78), which had such a beautiful golden color with a lovely, firm crust. If you don’t know yet, mantou is a fried but fluffy bun that looks and tastes an awful lot like a doughnut. WNK’s mantou wasn’t airy but soft inside, and I would prefer it to be eaten really hot. Slather it with condensed milk and you have a combo of the best flavors; it could not have been better.

    Another appetizer that landed on our table were the Prawn Paste Chicken Wings (PHP 218). Equally superb, the skin of the chicken had optimal crunchiness with unique flavor of prawn paste and the chicken meat had a burst of salty freshness. An order of this dish will give you six pieces of bite-size heaven.

    Next served almost simultaneously were the nine mains. My favorites have to be the Salted Egg Chinese-style Fried Chicken (PhP 295), Hainanese Chicken Curry Noodles (PhP 225/solo, PhP 368/sharing) and the Wok-fried Chicken with Cashews and Sun-dried Chili (PhP 270).

    I’ve had my fair share of Wee Nam Kee’s Salted Egg Crabs and I had tried also quite a lot of Salted Egg Prawns cooked the Singaporean way when I was still living in Singapore. Hence, pleasure was all mine when Salted Egg Chinese-style Fried Chicken met my palate. Dressed with soft, jelly-like texture of salted egg, the chicken tasted great. Imagine tasting food that’s been battered before frying and the shaved yolk melting in your mouth as it effectively forms a sauce for the dish.

    With alluring fragrance, the Hainanese Chicken Curry Noodles (Wee Nam Kee’s version of laksa) can be put as an iconic culinary treasure of Singapore. It’s made with Hainanese chicken and Thai noodles with curry sauce in a concentrated, creamy and not too spicy laksa broth. Again, I was looking forward to more heat!

    You’ll also not regret ordering the Wok-fried Chicken with Cashews and Sun-dried Chili. Powerfully savory, flavors are here in full force. As it’s packed with spices, the crispy wok-fried chicken is best eaten with plain and steaming white rice.

    While the Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (PhP 280) was, relative to the others, nothing new as it’s almost customary to see this in other Chinese restaurants’ menu. However, on a positive note, it was also memorably good.

    Stewed Pork Belly with Steamed Buns (PhP 365) are commonly paired as one. The twist here? Every single cut of meat wasn’t thrifty of fat that’s edible, containing much more moist than a chop.

    I came round to think that the unassuming steamed buns made the dish as a whole even more elegant. They sop up the fatty juices of the pork.

    Mmmmm! The glistening plate of Cashew Coffee Spareribs (PhP 298) was by far the most adventurous and unique entree we had that day. I haven’t ever encountered any dish cooked with cashew coffee. It was fortunate that my first time to taste it made an instant good impression. The tender pork ribs had the intensity and clarity of coffee flavor that suggested the spareribs were made in the kitchen by a chef who cares about delighting its guests.

    We were taken aback by how the Butterflied Tilapia with Singapore “Chili Crab” Sauce (PhP 385) was presented. I mean, look at that! The tilapia had crispy skin and the fish meat was simple and hearty. On the average, an order is weighed at 800 grams of seafood. You should not pass up the chance to eat it together with the chili crab sauce. Still, I would want the sauce to be spicier filled with chili and aromatics.

    Then, the carbs. Wee Nam Kee’s Pineapple Fried Rice with Pork Floss (PhP 250) was cooked with mixed veggies, roast pork and shrimps. I thought it’s quite Thai in nature. Regardless, this is a great addition to any meal. To say this was just merely fried rice would be an understatement. With the light, thread-like seasoned dried pork product otherwise known as the pork floss, this rice dish just got a whole lot better.

    Being reasonably copious, the Spicy Sambal Rice Noodles (PhP 295) featured a distinct taste of sambal with a gentle spicy comfort. These springy noodles will make you feel truly full and satisfied. The taste lingered with a rounded, fragrant and transportive bowl that will bring you mentally closer to Singapore. 🙂

    The presentation of the Three Flavor Chocolate Truffle Buchi (White, Dark and Milk Chocolate) (PhP 128) proved the desserts to be a best-selling treat. Predictably tasting good, the three variants of chocolate were so rich, delectable and sinful! This is a must-try in Wee Nam Kee.

    Each of us tried a different drink. I got the Green Tea Vanilla Freeze (PhP 130) because individually, green tea and vanilla are always my go-to flavors. At first slurp, I knew they particularly go well together. These two are the perfect duo! A daub of whipped cream on top added to the drink’s yummy-ness. Will I order it again? Maybe yes, when I have a slot for more calories in my body. For macha lovers out there, this one’s for you. 😛

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    All the food above are worthy of their prices. I hope by now you’ve learned to order dishes other than the great Hainanese Chicken Rice when in Wee Nam Kee.

    Given that Wee Nam Kee has been in the Philippines for merely two years, a generous degree of experimentation and errors is only to be expected. The recipe of these dishes came from the master company in Singapore and I hope that their work will click with Filipinos’ taste. Most certainly for me, each one had exhibited a certain level of proficiency as authentic Singaporean cuisine. I am excited to bring my family along in my next visit. 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/WeeNamKeePH” name=”WEE NAM KEE Hainanese Chicken Rice Philippines” description=”Ground Floor, The New Glorietta 2, Makati City Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 11.00am to 11.00pm” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +632 478-8477 or +63917 828-5016 or email info.ph@wnk.com.sg” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-07-18″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

    Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

    Nowadays, grabbing a healthy lunch is not always easy. That’s unless of course you live in an area where all the freshest ingredients and colorful vegetables can be found. One afternoon, as I was searching the web for “healthy eating restaurants,” I found Pino Resto Bar in Jupiter Street, Makati. I heartily bookmarked it on Zomato and decided to treat my family to lunch on a Sunday. Their menu turned out to be a riot of plates whose ingredients tumbled across vegetarian and non-vegetarian modern Filipino dishes. These are food which I describe as those that aren’t ashamed of their nutritional stats. 🙂

    For those of you who don’t frequent the North and are not familiar with Pino Resto Bar + Pipino Vegetarian, Pino serves creative comfort Filipino food, while Pipino presents vegetables in more playful light. The person behind both is Chef Ed Bugia who wanted to redefine the concept of Filipino comfort food and serve something special.

    Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

    Service: ★★★★★

    The entire place was reserved to a christening of a baby that day. I didn’t call ahead and make a reservation, so that was my bad. Pino Resto Bar was nicely setup with pink balloons and white curtain-like table cloths. I’m sure the place is not designed like that normally, so I won’t anymore give a rating for the ambiance.

    Leaving Pino without tasting its food would be a letdown. On that note, I asked the staff if they could allow us to be seated at The Burger Project instead, since it’s operated by the same management as Pino Resto Bar anyway. Fortunately, he agreed and assisted us to the adjacent restaurant. We ordered food from there, and the dishes quickly arrived from a shared kitchen of BRGR and Pino.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Sufficiently buttery, Pino’s version of the Vegetable Kare-kare (PhP 185) was not the best I have tasted so far but it could be unfailingly pleasing for most vegetarians and vegans alike. I found the nuttiness a little bland if not eaten with the Bagoong Rice (below) made of black beans. To improve, I think the taste will be enhanced if there’s some level of heat we can live with.

    The Calamares Negra (PhP 275) was comforting and slightly elevated. Because they’re black, you might have the impression that the pieces were dipped in squid ink. I don’t know if that’s right, but I’m sure that these hit the spot as they’re quite exotic and yummy. It’s a new spin from a simply fried calamari with a golden crust we often are served in most restaurants.

    The quality of layered pasta in Pino Resto Bar’s Vegan Lasagna (PhP 175) was great. Balanced in flavor, this lasagna had a great mix of sweet and tart elements—the kind of bright, popping flavors that Southeast Asian cuisine is known for. The tomato sauce dominated the top part and it was assertive but not so much as to overwhelm the vegetarian fillings.

    As the name Watermelon Steak (PhP 245) appeared on the menu, it got me curious on how it would look and taste like. It sounded suspicious and ended up nothing particularly good. Watermelon juice oozing out in every forkbite was just weird. The mushrooms, asparagus and mashed potatoes were memorably delicious.

    We destroyed the mystery of kale and malunggay in one when we had two orders of  the Kale Malunggay Pesto Pasta (PhP 195). Hearty and heavy went hand-in-hand. With a substantial amount of pesto flavor, this pasta dish could be better with toasted pine nuts scattered on top and a bit of grated Parmesan.

    Having started our day at Pino with kare-kare, it was perfectly acceptable to end it with one, too. This time though, we had the Seafood Kare-kare (PhP 625) which featured various seafood such as shrimps, mussels and squids. It was totally likable. The peanut gravy and the coconut milk blended well together. Adding an extra luscious dimension was the richness of the texture of the sauce. This can be your Achilles heel!

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The meal was certainly not cheap considering the small serving size of the dishes, but overall it was not preposterously expensive either. Most of the dishes are around the PhP 200 mark, and the mains similarly push you to spend from about PhP 250 to PhP300. To get lucky with good choices, the trick is to realize before you place your order what you are going to get. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian, or probably a mix of both.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pino-Resto-Bar/511800612177186″ name=”Pino Resto Bar” description=”38 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 550-1781″ rev_body=”Operating Hours: Sundays from 5:00pm-10:00pm, M-Sat from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; 5:00–11:30 pm)” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-07-12″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Review of Buddha-Bar Manila (Poblacion, Makati City)

    Review of Buddha-Bar Manila (Poblacion, Makati City)

    A week before my birthday, I was looking for cool restaurants to try where I’d treat my family and boyfriend. After seeing pictures and snippets of reviews online, it was not long when I have decided to go for Buddha-Bar Manila. I booked for a reservation immediately and mentally prepared to be transported in a world of luxury and sophistication even for a day. 😀 Obviously, excitement filled me in!

    I have first heard about Buddha-Bar Manila when it opened in 2012. And perhaps like me, you would ask, “Why is this bar called Buddha-Bar?” Whoa. I mean there are so many names you can attach to a bar, so why use Buddha? In any case, I think the owner has done a great job with the branding since it foremost captures quick attention and piques the curiosity of people.

    For the record, Buddha-Bar is not a house of prayers or a place for spiritual congregation like a church but a bar-restaurant located at Picar Place on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati (just beside Century City Mall). Buddha-Bar is now found in 25 countries and key cities around world, including London, Moscow, Budapest, Paris, Kiev, Prague, St. Peterburg and Cairo. Offering a fully original dining experience, Buddha-Bar Manila’s food courses are made with an artful blend of unique taste and choicest ingredients.

    Review of Buddha-Bar Manila (Poblacion, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Wearing sandos, slippers and shorts is prohibited, and Buddha-Bar reserves its right to refuse customers going in when they are not in proper attire. This place deserves the credit to have well-dressed and presentable guests because the interior design screams elegance and sophistication.

    Upon entering, you will be welcomed with the sight of a giant Buddha monument sitting on a throne. Right beside is the bar mezzanine, fitted with 18th century style wrought-iron balustrades, and this I guess is where you’ll have the chance to rub elbows with college students, cops, and perhaps a local celebrity over strong drinks.

    Flights of stairs and an elevator are available and accessible for customers to move about on the four floors of the building. The dining areas are set with rich mahogany furniture, sofa sets with luxurious fabrics, amber-colored lighting, Chinese and Japanese art objects, Khmer statues, decorated wood panels, and Portuguese mosaics all come together to create an opulent and refined décor. There’s funk, improvisation, and lush colors of red and gold on every corner.

    Generally, the venue takes on a party atmosphere. However, since we visited Buddha-Bar Manila during lunch time on a Saturday, there were lots of empty tables. Music was out and the atmosphere was pretty quiet. For a moment, I felt like we were stepping into another time and place for a relaxing get…away. Air-conditioning was a bit off, but I’m sure it would be different once the sun is out.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The staffs were eloquent and friendly without obstructing privacy. The food we ordered came fast considering that they were prepared intricately. Customer service here was great in a way that it made me feel like we were treated with care, like we were invited to visit the home of a very rich friend.

    Food: ★★★★★

    For Buddha-Bar’s food, I have set my expectations up high. Since food prices here are known to be expensive, the quality and taste of food must match the rate. I knew I chose this restaurant not only for its lovely ambiance but also (mostly) for its food. Its website indicates that “The Buddha-Bar menu offers a selection of Pacific Rim cuisine dishes, a masterful blend of fine ingredients and spices where Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other East Asian flavors combine subtly with a zest of the West.”

    Tuna shone in Crazy Spicy Tuna Maki (PhP 190, 4 pieces) and it was shamelessly delicious! My taste buds were happy to meet a flavor bomb of piping hot tuna tucked in Japanese sushi rice. From the top down, the soy sauce with wasabi soaked in.

    Another maki we tried was the gentle-tasting Pink Lady Maki (PhP 230, 4 pieces), which became our instant favorite. This monster roll was made with crispy tempura inside, seaweed salad and fresh salmon on top. If it were present at a tailgating bash or cocktail party, I will gladly devour it at either one.

    Delivering a substantial mouthful of cajun spice and oils, the Cajun Style Tuna Sashimi (PhP 470, 6 pieces) was the priciest among the bunch of Japanese food we had that day. It is one of the new dishes on the Buddha-Bar Manila’s menu, and it appeared as a healthy but no less yummy invention designed to showcase the restaurant’s fusion fare.

    Crisp and fragrant spring rolls may be considered as one of the best appetizers to an Asian meal. Comparing the tastes of the makis and sashimi, we thought these fried rolls were more muted but in a good way. The freshness of the vegetable fillings in the Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce (PhP 320) was delightful.

    We could not have only one vegetarian dish so we added Steamed Tofu with Mapo Shiitake Sauce (PhP 380) to our list of orders. It seemed simple but I just love how the slabs of tofu were soft and silky. Spooned alongside Steamed Jasmine Rice (PhP 60), this vegan-friendly entree will disappear rapidly from the dining table to your stomach.

    The next four dishes were served almost simultaneously, crowding for space and competing for attention. Determining which to get first posed to be hard, yet we figured it out. The Black Pepper Beef with Thai Basil (PhP 720) had a juicy and beefy oomph to every bite. The pieces of meat were so tender and the sauce’s flavor danced on the palette. The beef tasted absolutely rich with the Thai basil and was beyond-belief good.

    If you’re a fan of spicy food, then you must order the Spicy Angry Chicken (PhP 590). Staying true to its label, the spicy chicken ended up how it was supposed to taste: fiery. You may tear up and start to sweat, but pleasure should always win out over pain.

    To move on, we paired it with Chahan Fried Rice (PhP 320) to strike a balance of intense heat and somehow bland. Eating this fried rice alone will make you think that you’re eating just plain rice because of the lack of flavor. There are a few tiny bits of meat and scrambled eggs that can be seen but they were not enough to stand out. Chinese restaurants’ Yang Chow Fried Rice is still a winner.

    Finally, we were not crazy to punish our tongue by having another spicy dish. The Chef’s Special: Duo of Salmon and Prawns (PhP 860) tamed it down. It consisted of black vinegar shallot compote, green beans, lime cream, edamame. I adore salmon for its versatility and robust flavor. It’s one type of fish I can consider eating one whole year round. 😛

    Who wouldn’t agree that this Liquid Center Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream (PhP 290) is so fantastariffic?! Once you break into the cake, there’s molten chocolate inside complimented perfectly by the ice cream. I love the chocolate oozing out. Oh dear God, forgive me for I have sinned. 😛

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    One of my real joys is spending time with my loved ones eating. Thankfully, I made the right choice in celebrating my 25th birthday at Buddha-Bar Manila. There’s no doubt that prices are steep. But altogether, we enjoyed the food and had a wonderful time, indeed. I confidently recommend this place for those who look out for a perfect setting to celebrate anything. 😀

    Buddha-Bar Manila has a promotion ongoing: spend at least PhP 3000 and get a raffle ticket to win a brand new Maserati (luxury sports car). I’m glad that our bill made me qualify for an entry and I hope to have the best of luck come September 6, 2014, the draw. Please pray for me! 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/buddhabarofficial” name=”Buddha-Bar Manila (Poblacion, Makati City)” description=”Picar Place, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 8566719, (02) 8566859″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-06-25″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Grilla Bar and Grill (Poblacion, Makati)

    Review of Grilla Bar and Grill (Poblacion, Makati)

    Grilla Bar & Grill in Makati isn’t exactly in my radar since it’s far from my place and I don’t like Filipino cuisine very much. Still, I had no qualms in attending Grilla’s taste-testing event last Saturday. This 2014, Grilla is celebrating a huge milestone as it remains to be standing strong in the restaurant business for 16 years. Wow! This only means that many customers are patronizing their food and are in full appreciation of their dishes which are scoured from all over the archipelago.

    Below is a picture of me and Grilla Bar & Grill’s head chef. Together with the owners, he welcomed everyone heartily. We were served with some seriously tasty food on an exotic yet accessible menu that eschews the entrees for something much more than your usual Filipino food.

    Review of Grilla Bar and Grill (Poblacion, Makati)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Dinner at Grilla is a dignified affair. Even with the menu comprising of mostly pulutan finds that complement beers and alcoholic drinks, the atmosphere is modern and classy. The lights are almost dim. The couches are comfortable, and the bar’s counter looks like the center of attraction upon entrance.


    This branch has two floors and both floor areas are spacious. Grilla Bar and Grill must be a hit for those celebrating their birthdays, graduation, anniversaries, job promotions, etc., as it can accommodate plenty of guests on board.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The staffs were friendly and service was good and fast. I can’t comment any further as we were held in a group for the special event and I’m not sure how they function in normal day-to-day dining scenarios.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    We started with Tofu and Sigarilyas Sisig (PHp 145), which unlike the regular sisig we know, did not consist of pig cheeks, ears and snout. Rather, it was more like a treat for vegetarians. Little squares of tofu and chilies abound. Squeeze that calamansi to make each bite more flavorful. It’s the kind of “pulutan” dish that’s easy to love.

    Next was Ilocos Dinuydoy (PHp 300), a traditional Ilocano dish made of mashed squash and ampalaya with bagnet on top. When anyone at your table cries out with squeamishness, feel free to ignore them and order this to complete your meal with veggies and meat in one go. I didn’t eat the pork part. I can only comment that it smelled really good, one that would take you straight to “pork heaven.” The mashed squash was nice and the taste was not overbearing.

    There are times when you’ll want something more then just a sour soup that warms the soul. In these situations, if you’re fond of Filipino food, pretty much you would end up getting a bowl of sinigang soup. But check this out: Beef Kansi (PHp 345) is a cross between a sinigang and bulalo soup that’s famous in Bacolod. The taste of sinigang x bulalo indeed is super strong, so eat it with rice. A soup like this shouldn’t be relegated to just in the rainy season. You may be happy to enjoy it during summer, too.

    Inihaw na Manok sa Sinampalukan (PHp 225), or in English, grilled chicken in tamarind stock, is another dish that needs to be paired with rice unless you want that sourness and saltiness to emanate and rejoice in your mouth. The texture of the chicken was a knockout; its taste was just like fresh from the grill. After it’s put into the soup, the combination was structurally sound.

    Of the offerings, Inadobong Tilapia sa Gata at Sili (PHp 225) is the one I vote as best. The crisp fish came bathed in a pleasingly salty, buttery-coconut broth laced with some spice. The delicacy in the layering of texture and flavor was apparent. It’s good to eat the tilapia together with rice and those greens in a mouthful.

    Poqui Poqui (PHp 145) is simply eggplant torta cut into small strips. It’s a relatively light option among all these dishes. I prefer it with tomato catsup. 🙂

    Lechon Liempo ala Cebu (PHp 850/kg) looked so fatty so I didn’t bother to taste it even a bit. I thought the pork actually went overboard on the oily cravings upfront. With visible pools of grease, the meat might have lacked the wealth of flavor that serves as a lifeline for many of health and diet-conscious folks. It’s okay to give it a shot if you’re really a huge fan of lechon liempo.

    Cebu is known for its chicharon and Grilla Bar and Grill’s Chicharong Cebu (PHp 160). The pork skin was freshly fried and it had all the right textures: crispy, crunchy and bubbly. It gives you much more than your average snack. It’s obviously not the healthiest or most sophisticated, but just the best when you’re hungry, broke drunk or all three.

    Pork BBQ and Salted Egg Triangles (PHp 185) had a sheer contrast of salt and sweet tastes. Dip the fried triangles in vinegar and you might find yourself gasping in awe. However, again I warn you: the dish is quite oily. Soak it on tissue paper to rid some excess oil.

    Grilla-a-Palayok (PHp 695) consisted of maya-maya, mussels, shrimps, clams, thinly sliced beef and pork shortplate cooked over very hot stones served with pork lemongrass broth, sinamak, grilled eggplant and nilasing na mangga. The soup base, poured from the kettle, was lightly sour. I don’t know what the kitchen was trying to imply but we found that there were still sands inside the shells (clams and mussels). Did they purposely wanted to retain the sands? Of course, there’s the natural saltiness we tasted. On another regard, the presentation of food was unavoidable. I mean, look at that smoke from the earthen pot!

    Okay, let me take back what I said… More than the Inadobong Tilapia sa Gata at Sili, the Halo Halo Spring Rolls (PHp 135) which was made of jackfruit and banana wrapped in spring roll wrapper (lumpia/turon) topped with ube ice cream was the one I liked best. This dessert came as a delightful surprise. With warm spring rolls and decadent cream, it’s the perfect ending to a scrumptious Filipino meal.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    We walked away really stuffed. Grilla Bar and Grill in Makati is an all-time good restaurant you’d want to visit for a good bonding with friends, especially those who want to get high at night. With entrees ranging from over PHp 100 to PHp 400 on the average, the prices are friendly. It’s wise to share small plates as food’s portion sizes are generous.

    If you’re into drinking alcohol, their menu is perfectly set up for it. My only advice is to order rice because almost all the dishes are very salty. Probably that’s what Ilocos cuisine is primarily about.

    Thanks, Aldous, for the invite!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/GrillaPH” name=”Grilla Bar and Grill” description=”8491 Kalayaan Ave. corner Rockwell Drive, Poblacion, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 899-8775, (02) 899-6722″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-10″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:
    Ground Floor, Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan City | 02 7266200
    Sumulong Highway, Across Valley Golf, Mambugan, Antipolo City | 02 5700499

  • Review of Mamou (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City) – A Valentine’s Day Special

    Review of Mamou (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City) – A Valentine’s Day Special

    Last Friday, I took a vacation leave from work to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Louie. We had a celebratory meal at Mamou, Serendra and walked down memory lane as well in Bonifacio High Street where we spent V-day five years ago. ♡

    As foreign as it may sound, Mamou is totally a 100% Filipino-owned restaurant. Mamou (pronounced as “ma-moo”), we’ve learned from the “Matter of Fact” section on the place mat, is what Malou Fores’ nephew used to call her, and the rest is history! This restaurant specializes in steaks: USDA prime grade beef in different cuts and done-ness. However, we didn’t go to Mamou for their steak because try as I might, even a massive hunk of tender beef in front of me won’t appeal as tempting. 😛

    Review of Mamou Serendra (Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Red walls, black and white checkered floor tiles, and wide counter across the dining area—all these remind me of the restaurant I used to design back then in Restaurant City, an app on Facebook. 🙂 The relaxing and modern vibe tends to gear toward welcoming a casual yet elegant crowd and environment. And oh, look at the bright, candle-inspired chandeliers! The color seems to be observing Valentine’s day all-year ’round. The place can get pretty noisy though when more dining customers talk at the same time.

    Service: ★★★★★

    I was surprised when the waiter made a hand gesture to hook my bag under the table. I smiled and said it’s okay for me to do it on my own. I liked the servers’ attitude here: courteous, responsive and friendly. They have the kind of customer service that’s fit for a classy environment.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    After being caught in heavy traffic jam, we came in late for our reservation but still just in time for lunch. For complimentary appetizer, a basket of bread with regular and wheat sourdoughs was given with an ample helping of butter on the side. The bread was soft and tasted fresh but not phenomenally delicious.

    We were glad that our actual order was served quickly. Succulent, juicy and not overly oily, the Tofu and Spring Rolls (PHp 210) with vinegar and sweet chili sauces were a unique take on the traditional Shanghai rolls. The crunchy lumpia skin gave way to mashed tofu, ubod and tinapa. Taken together, few comfort foods can compare.

    The sweet white flesh of the Fish Mamou Katsu (PHp 300) righted all wrongs, with nearly melt-on-your-tongue tenderness. The fish fillet had an impossibly delicate and crispy crust that held its shape just long enough to be briefly dipped into the apple tartar sauce. While Louie liked the condiment, I thought the breaded fish was better without it. The red buttered parsley rice that came with the dish merely delivered a straightforward performance. More glutinous than the white rice, the red rice tasted so healthy and wholesome.

    Mamou is also famous for its Roast Pork and Chicken (PHp 345, half). Many other restaurants we know may have the same name on their menus, but Mamou’s monstrosity made of citrus rubbed pork and chicken, buttered onions, red Cuban rice, cinnamon saba and black beans taste far different for sure. Yes, their version is worth the praise, though perhaps not to such an ecstatic degree that it receives.

    I tried a tiny chunk of the roast pork and thought it was tasty but not sublime. The roast chicken almost tasted the same, so the highlight of the plate for me were the black beans and the banana. 🙂 The contrast of flavors worked wonders. Overall, diners can best enjoy this entree by alternating each piece as their taste buds find fit.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Mamou’s diverse menu piques the curiosity of the insatiably food curious like me. Prices are mid-range and the dishes in terms of portion, quality and presentation were all well worth. We had a great time. I thank Louie for bringing me here and breaking my misconception that Mamou only serves a lot of steak and other meaty food that signal a turn-off.

    Apparently, Mamou’s menu features plenty of vegetarian finds I’m very interested about. To name a few, there’s the Vegetarian Adobado with Pickled Ubod (PHp 295) made with tofu, saging saba, pickled ubod, white or red buttered parsley rice, Mamou’s Shroom Burger (PHp 495) that has a portabello and shiitake patty on buttered bun, with lettuce, tomato and onion, and Truffle Flavored Vegetable Mushroom dip with Whole Wheat Melba Chips (PHp 195). I can’t imagine how these taste right now, but I’m definitely in for some surprise in our next visit. 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/mamouahomekitchen” name=”Mamou – A Home Kitchen at Serendra” description=”Unit 1C – 15 G/F Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Heights” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (+632) 856-3569 / (+632) 909-5741 (+63917) 816-2668 or email eat@mymamou.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-02-18″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Mon – Fri: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
    Sat: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
    Sun: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

    Other branch:
    Mamou too! Rockwell
    L R1 148A, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Makati City
    Tels. (+632) 822-6218 / (+63917) 806-2668