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.)
[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/sentro1771″ name=”Sentro 1771″ description=”2/F Greenbelt 3, Esperanza St Legazpi Village, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 757-3941″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2013-12-26″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]
Other Branch
Serendra, Bonifacio Global City | (02) 856-0581 –> read review here
Leave a Reply to Rochkirstin Santos Cancel reply