Sentro 1771 gave away gift certificates last time (if you have not read my review of Sentro – Serendra branch, click here) and it was time to make good use of them last Saturday. I was supposed to have a date with wushu friends, but something happened so it did not push through. Thank goodness, my family was available then to spend time with me over dinner. Their prize? A treat they deserve at Sentro Greenbelt 3.
Review of Sentro 1771 (Greenbelt 3, Makati City)
Ambiance: ★★★★★
At a fine-dining destination like Sentro 1771, there’s no denying that ambiance leaves a lasting impact. Much like its branch at Serendra BGC, the central area of the back of the restaurant is occupied by this long and attractive counter table where specialties of the house are displayed. Other features mostly alike are the color and theme. Modern and elegant—something you would imagine seeing in a city. I am absolutely in love with this place. 😀
The place was busy and packed both at the al freco area and inside. The good thing is that it’s spacious so Sentro 1771 makes a great brunch spot for groups and families. We were lucky a table was emptied when we arrived and we were seated promptly right after it was cleaned.
Service: ★★★★★
I like it every time the attending waiter/waitress personally introduces his/her name. It shows more hospitality from their end. This is how Sentro’s staff operates as they treat you like guests to their own home with easy-going chill and relax style rather than business. Menu was well provided and water was served quickly. While taking our orders, the attendant took extra attention in checking if we wanted our mains to be served together or after the starters. I truly appreciate the attentiveness to minute details and that spelled all the difference in a good dining experience.
Food: ★★★★★
We started with the Crispy Pork Kilawin (PHp 280), a dish that I suppose many meat lovers would love. The kilawin flavor was beautifully infused and the richness of that simple key ingredient (vinegar) was given justice in this plate. The Crispy Pork Kilawin was slathered with thinly sliced leeks, carrots and onions. You may be wondering if I ate it at all. Answer is yes, just a tiny bit, to make it to the “report card.” Else I would not be able to give a nice description, right? 
Next, we had the Seafood Bagoong Rice (PHp 530), which still tops as my favorite here at Sentro. If there’s any one and only dish you have to order, it is this. And check out that plating…piles after piles of grilled squid, garlic shrimps and hito flakes on bagoong rice. This dish is a definite stunner!
Moving on to vegetarian finds, the Vegetarian Red Rice (PHp 180) was healthy and refreshing. It consisted of red organic rice stir-fried with garlic, carrots, cabbage, celery, onions and chickpeas. The texture of the grains was perfect and the mixed taste of everything was divine. This is the item on the menu that our eyes could not ignore, and I’m happy to say we’ve made the right choice.
Accompanying the red rice was the Tofu Steak Tocho (PHp 90). Get these two and you can call it a nice, fulfilling meal. With a hint of vinegar and sesame oil, this fried tofu entree was topped with sweet-sour sauce made of tausi, fermented tofu, onions and tomatoes. It was full of beany flavor. Too bad Sentro does not have soy milk to wash it down with. They would have made a great combination.
Following Mom’s request, we had the Sauteed Lengua with Mushrooms Salpicao (PHp 550). As you may recall, she typically wants those food that she cannot cook herself. The tender-to-the-bite tongue was lightly fried in olive oil and topped with seasoned mushrooms. The sauce was sweet and thick; I’m thinking it was made with soy sauce, brown sugar and oyster sauce. By itself, the sauce can already be eaten with rice without the meat. But that’s just me. My mom liked it very much so I guess you can trust her palate on that.
Another “carnivorous” dish was the Lamb Caldereta (PHp 480)—boneless lamb stewed with carrots, bell peppers, tomato sauce and spices. For this, we were given the options “mild” and “spicy,” and we chose the former because my sister does not like eating spicy food. The sauce tasted like the typical caldereta sauce cooked in most Filipino homes. The lamb had this bold and strong intensity that was beyond what words could possibly describe. I didn’t like the after-taste and the smell. Hmmmm 🙁
Finally, we had the Catfish Adobo Flakes (PHp 360), accented with native garlic and yellow ginger. It’s a nice pica-pica dish that goes well with white rice. The hito flakes were crispy and they’re the same catfish adobo flakes that were used as toppings on the Seafood Bagoong Rice.
Price for Value: ★★★★☆
If you’re into classy Filipino restaurants, you have to come here at least once. This place is freakin’ gourmet! All-in-all, it was a good night for us; although on the spendy side, food, service and ambiance were worth the trip. Your mouth would water looking at food other customers have on their tables.
I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. Sentro 1771 Restaurant is the perfect place to ring in the New Year or celebrate anything. Just make that reservation ahead and be ready for an amazing meal. 🙂
This is located beside Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.)
Other Branch
Serendra, Bonifacio Global City | (02) 856-0581 –> read review here
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
I love the Sinigang na corned beef at Sentro. I always order that when I visit their restaurant.
Sinigang na Corned Beef (PHp 595) takes time to cook because they need to make sure that the beef is properly braised and soften. It’s a pity I don’t eat that but I’m sure it’s wonderfully craved by many people.
They have a lot of varieties.. I haven’t tried any of the food that you ordered. hahaha. but their keso flan is just really amazing 🙂
One of my friends has also mentioned that “keso flan.” Wow! Now I really want to have a bite of it.
With the very high ratings you gave this place, my interest is certainly piqued.
Yup. You can’t go wrong with Sentro. Also check out their branch at Serendra.
Happy is your family to be especially treated in a perfect place like Sentro 1771 in Makati. I sense it is perfect family bonding. I bet?
Yes, you’re right. You can also bring your family here! Even if some of your kids are not living with you anymore as they’ve all grown up to have families of their own, you can still bond and have a great time in a nice and posh resto like this. 😉
You’ve got what it takes to be a winner for this review. Really, the food kooks yummy and good especially the lamb calderetta.
Thank you. 😀 Yeah they were all good. I liked the vegetarian red rice most!
Heard so much about SENTRO 1771 and all are positive reviews. Since we don’t have SENTRO 1771 here in Davao I presumed that this place is highly recommended.
There’s a scarcity of restaurants like this in Davao. They should start branching out soon!
Thanks for sharing about the quality of service and the prices of food of Sentro 1771. I am just curious, what about the name? Is there any background story why the name is Sentro 1771? What does the number 1771 stands for?
Whoops! I have no idea, sorry. 🙂
i love the food in Sentro!! Sinigang na Corned Beef and another favorite is the Flan. I have not tasted anything that I didn’t like
The desserts, Keso Flan, Fried Suman and Mangoes and Banana Tart, are most delicious. 🙂
I’ve never tried eating at Sentro 1771 yet but the food looks interesting specially the Catfish Adobo Flakes
Yup, it really is. I bet there’s no other restaurant here that serves the same. But I suggest you to order the seafood bagoong rice instead if you want to have a taste/glimpse of those catfish adobo flakes.
OMG!! The food looks delish here!!! buti nalang malapit lang saakin yung resto.. 😀
Wow. You can dine in there just anytime. 🙂
Wow! I havn’t tried this one. The review was very informative. I guess I have to give it a try. Nice photos btw.
Thanks, Joel. This is my first food review for the year. I hope to capture better photos and aim for progress every time through 2014 restaurant visits. 🙂
Everything looked so tasty… I want to try it too, but I am living too far away…
It’s okay. You can always drop by when you’re in the area.
all those food is making my tummy hungry and I can’t help but drool at the pictures ’cause they are so drool worthy. Nice post!
It’s the simple combination of high quality ingredients that makes their food shine. Thanks. 🙂
I’ve never been to Philippines (but i definitely would love to, it’s in my “must go to” list, hopefully i can visit sooner than later!) and never had any Filipino food before but everything looks tempting!
Ohh don’t you have Filipino restaurants in your area? I thought Filipinos live just about everywhere in the world and at least one family must be cooking real Filipino dishes in their homes. For sure you’d love it here.
Seriously you should stop with writing these delicious pieces. You always, always make me hungry!!! =) Another great review! It´s a pity you don´t live in Buenos Aires, I would follow you around =)
Hahaha at the first read of your comment I was like shocked – whatever I did that made you want me to stop writing food reviews? 😛 OK lah, understood. When I visit Buenos Aires, I’d ask you to bring me to great restaurants so we can try good stuff!
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