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. 😀
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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
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