SM Manila houses a lot of eateries that look great, and it continues to attract a growing pride of restaurants β both at the high-end and low-end, from mediocre to expensive. One of the restaurants that impress me is The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH), located on the fourth floor of the building.
The name pretty much is a dead giveaway, so you have the initial impression that TOSH specializes in spaghetti. But the Old Spaghetti House is well known for many sorts of pastas other than spaghetti; this restaurant also has a bunch of other great food on the menu. Dining in is decidedly civilized. Let’s go! π
Review of The Old Spaghetti House (SM Manila)
Ambiance: β β β β β
The Old Spaghetti Shop feels enchanting, rustic and homey. Considering that it’s inside a busy mall, it’s tad surprising how the ambiance can be very quiet and secluded with cozy couches. The space is contained with dark floors, dimly-lit lights setting off a romantic vibe and vintage furniture. The walls are designed with decorations reminiscent of the colonial revival style, all of it something you don’t see in modern interiors anymore.Β What I also liked was the background music β all worship songs played by Hillsong United, which happens to be one of the most favorite Christian bands of all times.
Service: β β β ββ
When everyone was seated, immediately the staff arrived, took all orders and served food on the table after around 10 minutes on the clock. However, she was not attentive enough to see me raise my hand for additional requests. I had to shout out “Miss” and stand up to really get noticeable. I thought that the waitstaff had to be reminded that just because there were only a handful of customers does not mean that she can go easy and relaxed on a chair.
Food: β β β β β
I would describe TOSH’s menu to be “contemporary post-classic,” as I found that they offer dishes that use classic references as launchpad to create new dishes. One example is the Thai Bagoong Pizza (PHp 260) which I think can only be found in TOSH. It’s a modern version of pizza far from the regular tomato-based pizza with all sorts of usual toppings like pepperoni, ham, cheese, pineapple. In contrast, it’s an innovative dish that has both the foundation of “bagoong” and “pizza,” with slices of semi-ripe sour mango, bacon bits, tomatoes and cheese over a thin crust.
I was satisfied with the burst of different basic but strong tastes (sweet, sour, salty and spicy) all incorporated in one bite. A familiar flavor that’s skidded into a whole new other realm, the Thai Bagoong Pizza is a gutbomb of the finest order, and it deserves to be heralded as such. π
Another entrΓ©e that pleased us last Sunday was the Mushroom Jack Chicken (PHp 180) which consisted of fresh chicken breast with sauteed mushrooms and melted jack cheese. The zesty honey-lemon taste on the lettuce elevated my dining senses with a tang that left me double thumbs up for this simple yet beautifully cooked dish.
Mom had the Beef Burger Steak in Pepper Gravy Sauce and Vietnamese Garlic Pasta with Rice (PHp 150) from viands offered in the Mix ‘Em Match ‘Em Treasure Deal (available every day from 11AM-6PM) which she happily shared to us as well. The pasta was oddly sweet, a good rendition of Italian pasta but not so much wow-impressive.
Price for Value: β β β β β
The Old Spaghetti House is a top pasta parlor with dishes worthy of fireworks. It can be your usual hot date spot where you are guaranteed to be fed with reliably tasty comfort food, something to appeal to any diner. Portions are enough for sharing and prices are affordable. My heart sank for two minutes because of slow service but everything else was fine. π
Click here for a listing of their branches’ locations and respective contact numbers.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Now this one is familiar, considering that TOSH is all over the metro, especially in malls.
They even had a branch on my work before in Robinsons Summit Center in Ayala Ave.
While I say that I would think of TOSH as first option if I crave for Pasta, which is often. Should be obvious that they aren’t my faves along a lot of restos specializing in pasta dishes.
I like their store ambience anywhere, its well thought off. π
Note taken. TOSH is not also my top-of-mind choice when indulging in pastas as there are a lot of restaurants featuring the same pasta dishes. However, it’s surely one of the many that pass my judgment test fairly in terms of taste.
Pasta is actually my comfort food at the moment, so this means I will be at pasta houses (like T.O.S.H.) more often! π
Yup, their recipe is solid and they have nice twists on classics. It’s nice to embrace these finds that are inevitably coming our way.
That classic but cozy ambiance will work on me for sure. I’ve never been to that branch of TOSH but I can try to drop by sometime. And yes, it’s my first time to know (or I just missed it somewhere) about Thai Bagoong Pizza. Sounds interesting π
Warning: This pizza flavor is dangerously addictive. You might want to eat it with rice. π
This is still one of my favorite spaghetti house. But I always go to Robinson Galleria branch and e rod branch near Eastwood.
Going to the branches nearest you is most practical. π
TOSh is one of my fav restaus:) sm manila is so near us so, yes– we have frequented this place:) great place for bonding with friends and family:)
Nice, right? π Its cozy interior feels like a warm, loving home, brimming with a great selection of food and beverage itemsβperfect for catching up and even nestling up with a great read in hand.
Hi Roch! What are Vegetarian Options in The Old Spaghetti House?
Thank you for that wonderful question. π There’s quite a lot of choices for vegetarians here: Grilled Veggie Pizza (PHp 265), Eggplant Parmigiana with Penne Pomodoro (PHp 180), Penne with 5-cheese (PHp 160), Grilled Veggie Sandwich (PHp 150), 5-cheese Pizza (PHp 250), Caesar Salad (PHp 135, single / PHp 235, for sharing), Pumpkin Soup (PHp 80) and Spinach Soup (PHp 75).
Many times I’d like to try their food at Spaghetti House.
Well, the bagoong pizza looks delicious and will be a different treat.
Then you now have one entree you’d order once you get into TOSH. Hope you like it, too! π
TOSH might be a common household name already for some pero I haven’t tried eating there yet. I’ve actually heard a lot of good review about TOSH from my close friends and relatives and they suggest to not miss out on their pasta. Hmmmmm, I wonder why?
You can try to walk in one of these days and not wonder anymore. There’s this story about two people who wondered about how a mango tastes like. One was determined to climb up a mango tree to taste its sweetness and the other was just contented to hear about the description. I choose to be the former, always.
I like TOSH because of their ambiance, their reasonably priced food and great food choices.
Come to think of it, it’s one of the widest chains for having so many branches around the metro but there’s no much talk about it – or I just haven’t heard of such reviews.
I have tried their branch in SM Marikina and it has the same interior as your photo in SM Manila. I guess when I eat in one of their branches I will try that Thai bagoong pizza. Doesn’t it smell stinky?
It does not smell stinky at all. It smells delicious! π
My last visit of TOSH, was in Cebu way back 2010. The ambiance which more caters to family and groupies. Honestly I already forget the taste of their spaghetti, and need to revisit them during my vacation.
They have this ongoing promo: eat-all-you-can pasta. You may want to try it soon. π
Im not quite sure but I guesss TOSH has greatly developed their publicity and the result is, it continuously expands in the Metro. ^_^
Yup. As its website says, “The Old Spaghetti House is the ultimate party place for the young and young once.” Its menu philosophy is to make what we loved to eat as kids available and prepare them in a special way that would cater to everyone’s tastes.
Kahit siguro free or eat-all-you-can, hindi ko kayang kumain ng dish that has anything to do with ‘bagoong’. But you didn’t mention naman if mat bagoong yung Thai Bagoong Pizza. Perhaps, I’ settle na lang to what your mom had pick.
Ohh pet peeve bagoong? The bagoong taste was not outstanding naman so I guess you can endure it. π
I guess they need to work on their staff and place someone to area on specific tables. That way everything will be organized and there will be less burden for customers. I loved how they prepared the food. I don’t know if it was worth the wait but I wanted to try some π
Yes, their food is really good. It will make you feel comfortable anytime of the day.
Wow…I loved spaghetti…I liked restaurants..I loved cooking and this foodie review makes me feel hungry. Thanks!
Wow everything you love ah? Haha ok you’re welcome!
Now that Thai Bagoong Pizza is something I would like to try myself. I’ll keep this in mind for my next visit.
Maybe bagoong and mangoes don’t invoke traditional holiday images, but you can dine in here anytime with your family/friends. The food offerings are certainly festive.
The interior of the place looks like the old house of my great grandmother. Love to try Thai Bagoong, I got curious with this nutrient.
In addition, if you’re gonna eat pastas here, you might be headed for carb-overload. But hey, just blame it on the holidays. π
Sadly, TOSH has been hit and miss for me. I’ve tried a few of their branches and food quality and service are pretty inconsistent. Even at their SM North branch where I usually visit, one day they’ll serve good food with prompt service, but there are also some days when food would be bland and service slow. I just hope they’d be more consistent. Sayang eh! π
Oh. The management has to invest in a lot of training for these employees. The workforce reflects a lot about the company’s culture and customer service and quality of food are two of the most essential things in a restaurant’s day-to-day operations.
The food looks yummy, and the prices are affordable.
Hehe yup! Try ordering those that you have not tried before in other restos. π
I’ve been seeing this in malls but never really dined in before. Now I think I should visit! Love their interiors and I’m really curious on that Bagoong pizzaa! <3
Try it and I assure you won’t regret any bit. π
Is it a fine dining? π
Hi Sheryl. It’s more casual dining, if you ask me. But with the ambiance and the glamor, people can argue it’s fine dining and I won’t negate. π