Planet Grapes in Shangri-La Plaza is the thirdΒ branch of PG in the Philippines. Now weΒ don’t need to travel to outer space to actually land on another planet! π Kidding aside, Planet GrapesΒ is whereΒ traditional Filipino street food is glorified and earns its own spot together with wine on the menu.
Whether you want to try a traditional wine pairing, an adventurous meal, or just some great Pinoy dessert, Planet Grapes is sure to delight. The selections here are as different and exciting as you’d want them to be. This is where you canΒ let go your traditional ideas of what a good restaurant is supposed to be and just enjoy some winning combos.
Review of Planet Grapes (Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong)
Ambiance: β β β β β
Planet Grapes’ interior was full of attractive wine bottles that are displayed on the background and those striking ones that make up the chandelier. The ambiance was splendid, and the overall setting was quiet and intimate.
I love the coherent and consistent theme on the first and second floors.Β It gave a cozy, upscale, and warm vibe that’s desirable and presentableβanything but low key. Itβs lively without being real loud, so you can come for food and wineΒ but still hear the people next to you.
Fixtures throughout the space and the enomatic machines look most sleek. Speaking of enomatic machines, these areΒ state-of-the-art Italian machines that allow customers to try different wines by sip, half-glass, and full glass sizes. Cool stuff!
With all these combined, Planet Grapes must be the next new classic. Sound the alarm. It’sΒ a headliner, an ideal place to take your date on a nice, sit-down dinner and share a magical spark over some comforting Filipino food. It’s also a great go-to restaurant to grab lunch or snacks with business partners and colleagues.
Service: β β β β β
Service was fantastic. Especially if you’re trying out wine for the first time and can’t decide which would go well to complementΒ your food orders, Planet Grapes is a good place to start to learn about the types of wine and their characteristics.Β TheΒ service attendantsΒ are equipped with the knowledge toΒ describe wine and serve it correctly and confidently to customers.Β They’re incredibly helpful with wine options, food recommendations, and general pleasantries.
The Open Kitchen
Food: β β β β β
We had our department planning here and stayed for both lunch and merienda. The food we ordered wereΒ delicious, interesting, and slightly overwhelming all at once. Planet Grapes – Shangri-La Mall’s menu is focused around plates rooted in Filipino cuisine, but with some modernΒ twists that kept us engaged and satisfied in our dining experience. To know more about the items on the menu, click here.
For starters, we had Chicharon with Tinapa DipΒ (PhP 215),Β PG Super Sisig (PhP 210) andΒ Grilled Chorizo (PhP 135). All were indulging and maybe the type that you don’t want to eat in front of your bossΒ as youβre sure to end up with a little bit of grease on your lips.
Chicharon with Tinapa Dip is one of the best-sellers and for good reason.Β It’s the familiar taste of crispy pork rinds cooked through an air fryer matched in heaven with salty smoked fish.Β The bold taste of smoked fish made this appetizer really sumptuous. It was nearly impossible to stop the “hand to mouth” action. Nom nom nom.
On a screaming-hot cast-iron pan, the Super SisigΒ entree was good but nothing out of the ordinary. I thought it’s tempting to eat it with rice, but it also tasted fineΒ by itself.
The chunks ofΒ chorizo, on another plate, was pleasurable with nice pockets of firm pork fat. They were made just right, neither too sweet nor heavily spiced.
Our mains consisted of some grilled specialties:Β Organic BBQ Pork Spare Ribs (PhP 725, 450g),Β Organic Pork Chop (PhP 450), andΒ Black Cod Steak (PhP 395)Β with our chosen sides: Grilled Parmesan Corn, Fresh Mixed Salad, Plain Rice.
BBQ pork ribs come to mind first when I think of “ribs.” Prepared and rubbed withΒ a good mess of seasonings and smoked on the grill as we’ve seen in the kitchen, these organic bbq pork square ribs by Planet Grapes are a hit.Β The tender ribs stood out to me primarily withΒ the barbecueΒ sauce having a good blast of flavor.
Dry and chewy pork chops are a thing of the past. PG’s thick-cut organic pork chops were not too tough but also not too fork-tender. I thought eating themΒ with apple sauce or pickled vegetables would be great,Β but that’s a story for another appetite.
Among the three, the black cod steak was my favorite.Β Wonderfully buttery, it was deeply seasoned and the result was completely irresistible. The rich white-flesh fish came with a moist, succulent texture.
To cap off our meal, we hadΒ Turon Trilogy (PhP 165) which reminded me of Napolones from Bacolod andΒ Choco Collision (PhP 225) for desserts. With beautiful flaky crisp layer of skin on the exterior,Β Turon TrilogyΒ wasΒ filled with three classic Filipino dessert delicacies: thinly sliced banana, purple yam (ube)Β and jackfruit (langka). ItΒ definitely scored high.
As a chocolate lover, I have to give the sexy plate ofΒ Choco CollisionΒ a round of applause! It’s hard to say no to aΒ rich and creamy chocolaty treat topped with vanilla ice cream like this. π
The wines available at Planet Grapes represent different wine regions in the world. We tried the “Gunderloch Jean Baptiste Riesling Kabinett 2013, PradikΓ€tswein.” Yes, the name is quite a mouthful. It’s a light-bodied white wineΒ with aΒ cool nose of barely ripe apple, a touch of honey, orange and gentle herbs.Β It tasted clean, vibrant, and edgy with a scintillating mineral. I like that it hasΒ a low level of sweetness and somewhat a silky mouth-feel. Let’s toast!
Price for Value: β β β β β
If your goal is treating yourself to familiar Filipino comfort food and be surprised at how wonderful it would taste with wine, then Planet Grapes in EDSA Shangri-La Mall is the spot. It may not serve the best Filipino food ultimately, but it cooks up decent and flavorful meals.
Hitting good notes on the ambiance and services as well, Planet Grapes is a solid choice, a respectable one. It also has branches in Tuscany, Cebu, and Riverpark. Prices are more on the costly side but they’re expected and acceptable for their given value. Here, you can find yourself wanting to linger, talk, and relax no matter who you are with. Check this place out! π
“Planet Grapes is a bar and restaurant that offers wine without the drama. This no-nonsense approach to wine enjoyment provides a refreshing twist for budding wine drinkers both young and old. Find the wines you love, one grape at a time with flexible options to different serving sizes of wine.”
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
wow! everything looks delicious! i wanna try eating these dishes soon. the place looks so classy as well
No matter what food you choose, I hope you get the perfect bottle of wine alongside the feast. π It’s key to the dinner puzzle. Ask the staff which will vibe together well not just flavor-wise, but also aesthetically.
medyo overcooked yung chorizo hehehe. loved the bbq pork spare ribs when the family dined there =)
Okay lang, masarap pa rin hehe. Yeah, my friend was just expressing her craving for the bbq pork spare ribs the other day and I was reminded about your comment. π
good service with nice ambience already earn them a lot of brownie points! the food need not even to be the best for patrons to enjoy their time there. love those wine bottles lightings!
Planet Grapes’ food is about as soul-satisfyingly delicious as comfort food gets. With wine, you get to have a celebratory mealβboth hearty and humble at once.
The interiors look great esp the chandelier made of wine bottles. Food looks yumm, esp the Choco Collission, looks so divine!!!
Yup. If there’s one thing that I really love about the decor and design of this restaurant, it would be the wine bottles lighting. So cool! The chocolate dessert will blow your mind. π
My girlfriends and I have been planning to go on a GNO date at Planet Grapes but our busy scheds won’t cooperate. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews about Planet Grapes and I am thrilled that they opened a branch here in the South. Will definitely check ’em out soon.
With the lovely and classy ambiance, this place is perfect for your GNO date. π The food is easy-going at prices that won’t bust the budget, especially if you’re dining with a crowd. The benefit? You can share the bill!
I am not a wine drinker so this may not be the best place for me because I will not try what they are best known for. Those photographs of the meat dishes look really good though.
Wine is not as common as beer is now in the Philippines, but it’s great that we have restaurants like Planet Grapes that slowly introduces wine to fancy diners and the rest of the Filipino people. π The meat delivered a classic flavor all juiced up in a wonderful way.
The place looks great, not too grand and not too simple. The food looks awesome as well and packed with flavor.
Try the Chicharon with Tinapa Dip and after a bite, you’ll hear the angels sing. Hallelujah! It’s so yummy. You should drop by soon. π
Wow! What a fantastic place. I love the modern decor and feeling of the space too. So welcoming and trendy. This would be a great place to go for a ladies night with friends. That food looks amazing too! Bummer it is so far away! HA!
You’ll leave with a happy smile on your face. The restaurantβs energy, from the friendly staff to the sleek look of the enomatic machines, make Planet Grapes in Shang a place you would want to come back to–and bring all your girl friends back to. π
I would love to visit this place, the foods look amazing and tasty! Yum! I travel for foods π
Planet Grapes goes big on the production value, so if you said you travel for food, this is an ideal restaurant to try. It’s great on the service and on the food, too. We all like explosions of flavors with interesting wine pairing now and again. π
I’m a wine person. I’m sure to enjoy their different wine offerings here as well as their matching meals.
For sure! Wine tasting in Planet Grapes with the use of enomatic machines is what I call innovation. I’ve never seen anything like these machines elsewhere.
Oh my, all of that food looks absolutely stunning! The entire establishment looks stunning for that matter! Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with us! π
You’re welcome! If you haven’t tried to eat comfort food with wine before, make it your first time at Planet Grapes and dine without the drama. π
I’ve heard about this place from friends and they loved it! You just made me miss the Philippines. I hope to be back soon!
Hi Aileen. I’m a fan of your blog. π There’s so many establishments now in the Philippines that deserve a visit. Be back soon!
I love planet grapes. I like the local food pairings and their imported wines. I love the isaw and their white wine
Whoa. I haven’t tried isaw before because I’m not into anything offal. π Since many people like it, it must be highly delectable. Thanks for sharing!
Not really a fan of wine but those dishes are very inviting! I would love to try the ribs and pork chops soon with hubby. The desserts look yum as well π
Get the Choco Collision! Planet Grapes serves an upscale take on Filipino food and its concept is both novel and delicious. Prices are not murderous to the wallet (okay, not AS murderous as a lot of the other super-fancy options in the city). π Enjoy a date with your hubby!
The place looks superb and the food looks very delectable. I haven’t really been here but I’m putting it on my must-see restaurants for 2016.
The ambiance is amazing. You should visit soon with friends. They have an ongoing promo this holiday season. π
I love the variety of the wine that they have at this place. I think those appetizers look really good. I wish we had a nice wine bar in my town because we are missing one!
This beautifully designed space is a refined option for diners who appreciate a warm and cozy vibe. It seemed intimidating at first but with the friendly staff, you’ll feel comfortable in no time. π
I did not know what to initially expect with a name like Planet Grapesβ¦I was thinking grape leaves at first, but wine is a nice theme to center a restaurant on. I love that dΓ©cor, especially the hanging wine bottle lights – those are so pretty. I also like the idea of having an open kitchen. The BBQ Pork really looks appetizing.
Ohh I think the name of the restaurant fits the vibe perfectly. Planet Grapes’ first branch was established in McKinley Hill in 2013. I have to visit that branch too when I have time. π
WOW! First the environment is so amazing. What a beautiful place to sit and eat a good looking meal! The food looks stunning and super yummy!! Great photos! =) They really show the beauty in Planet Grapes!
Hit it now because the menu may change soon or improve for the better. π The food is great, the scene is happening, and the choose-your-own-wine pairing is interesting. Itβd be hard not to have a good time here.
Wine without the drama? I don’t get that. There’s never drama with wine for me! Haha.
Haha wow! I’m not too familiar with wine. I have a lot to learn to understand how tastes differ. π
The Turon Trilogy caught my attention! I think this will be the dish I will want to try when I’m there!
Yup, it’s a great meriends to share with friends. If you have a big appetite, then it’s fine to have it alone. π #NoDiet Don’t worry. I won’t judge!
INteresting, I thought they were merely a drink and wine place. I didn’t know they serve interesting food and dishes that goes well with alcohol.mmmmm chicharon!!!
The next time you find yourself needing to plan a drinks meeting/date/lunch/last minute gathering around Mandaluyong-Ortigas area, you know what to do. π Drink up!
Nice brand for a bar. It’s catchy plus the fact that it sells interesting wines and food too.
Agree. Planet Grapes is a pretty creative and interesting name for this restaurant. It sounds like Planet of the Apes but then “Grapes” was put in replacement to signify “grapes” from wine. Cool! π
[…] Once again, we were enthralled with their classy street food paired with wine. Like their branch in Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong, Planet Grapes (PG) at the Fort (located between Toby’s Estate and Pink’s Hot Dogs) is […]
Hey Rochkirstin, first off, congratulation for this post. This is really awesome content! It sounds like an interesting place to visit, do you know if they`re still open?
Hi Ashley! Yes, Planet Grapes in Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong is still open. Hope you can visit soon!