As was true for us, the first time you wind up at The Fireplace Steakhouse & Grill will likely be for a special event or some momentous occasion. Indeed, this fine-dining restaurant at the New World Manila Bay Hotel (formerly Hyatt Manila Hotel & Casino) is an amazing place to hold an event to remember. If we give it a grade for vibes alone, it would get an A! The Fireplace looks like an ideal date spot to get excellent food and wine. This is one of the better places to eat in Manila.
New World Manila Bay’s Executive Chef James Williams partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Manila to prepare and present an opulent four-course dinner paired with a fine selection of wines by Robert Mondavi from Napa Valley, California last Aug. 18. Dinner was awesome. People who share the love for wines gathered and the mood was quite contagious. James Du Vivier (CEO of FTI Wines), Eric Khan ( Marketing Director for FTI Wines), and Samantha Befus of Constellation Brands (distributors of Robert Mondavi) were also present to host and support the event.
It was also a good chance to learn about the interesting life story of Robert Mondavi and how he came about developing a number of premium wines fifty years ago. His vision? To make wine a daily staple on the table like salt and pepper shakes. Grand! Mondavi’s tireless promotion of Napa and his wines is a big factor in transforming the way Americans buy and drink wine. It also helped turn the valley into a tourist mecca as it is today.
4-Course Dinner with Robert Mondavi Wine at The Fireplace (New World Manila Bay Hotel)
Ambiance:
The design concept of Fireplace at New World Manila Bay looks pretty much exactly as how the name describes. A classy fireplace takes center stage, and with the beautiful backdrop highlighting this part of the dining room, it can’t go unnoticed. With floor-to-ceiling glass panels, impressive wall of wines, minimalist artworks, stone walls, brass accented decors and leather furniture, the ambiance is upscale. It’s a dream restaurant that should sit on top of your bucket list, especially if you’re into steak and wines. 😉
Food:
We started with a simple yet balanced salad composed of beetroot, chevre, asparagus, and broad beans. This elegant salad showcases earthy pink-toned beet and greens that tasted sharp and tangy with the vinaigrette.
Paired with the salad was the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi (Sauvignon Blanc 2014). Lifted by hints of grass and green pepper, this white wine is a bouquet of citrus fruits and tropical fruits, especially merinda and ripe mango. The palate contains tropical fruits, grapefruit, lemon and pineapple.
For the main course, we had the confit belly pork which was so tender and full of flavor. The confit was a little crispy on the outside, and I just loved how the pork fat held the concentration of rich flavors together. With white bean cassoulet and lentil vinaigrette in the mix, this dish turned out as a good alchemy of complex tastes that exploded with each bite.
The dark-hued Pinot Noir 2012 from Robert Mondavi Private Selection was recommended to be paired with the confit pork belly. It’s a seductively smooth wine which features ripe black cherry and blueberry aromas on the nose, backed by notes of violets, spices, and plum. The palate is silky and smooth with gentle fruit and a hint of oak in the background.
Fireplace’s slow-cooked USDA flat iron with potato fondant, spinach puree, confit onions was truly decadent. Steaks at Fireplace translates to a buttery tenderness on the plate, and I strongly suggest you head in that direction if you see one on the menu. It’s a solid star of the meal.
As a complement, the Robert Mondavi Napa Range (Cabernet Sauvignon 2010) was served. It’s a Napa Valley Classic made with dense tannins that are soft and silky. It’s a rich setting for juicy fruit flavors of dark plum mingling with notes of dark chocolate and vanilla oak.
Rounding up our meal perfectly was the vanilla bean panna-cotta with macerated fruits. Light, velvety and luscious, this creamier-than-cream and not-too-sweet dessert was impeccable and almost moan-worthy. It’s so pillowy soft and smooth that it melts in the mouth. Yummy! 🙂
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi (White Zinfandel) was my favorite among all. It’s a delicate, low alcohol, slightly sweet pink-colored wine with summer fruits and cranberries for the palate. The nose is filled with red apples, raspberries, and orange blossom, with hints of cashew.
Looking for a can’t fail spot for a private party, date night or a business dinner with VIP guests? Get high hopes on Fireplace Steakhouse & Grill. Its tasty entrees will get your attention and there’s always a good bottle of wine to share. And if you’re in the mood, try one of Mondavi’s quality wine selections to keep you company.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
You’re so lucky to get to taste food like this. I do not think I will ever do, because I am not too inclined to spend for luxurious food like this. Maybe for very special occasions only, but that is a big maybe only.
The interior design looks really pleasant. Your photos are great. It seems like this would also be a fine place to celebrate special occasions.
Napa wines are well known! Just say Napa Valley and people will come. The restaurant looks like it has great ambiance. Definitely world class quality. So, who was the designated driver after the wine tasting event? =)
This place looks awesome actually,so fancy and fashionable.Would love to visit there someday.Thanks for the review.
Sweet! I am going to try it this weekend.. :D.. As a afterthought, try visiting Nice in France, they have the best vineyards in the world!
Yum, you got me at the salad. It looks refreshing and healthy. I think wine lovers will love to try this fine dining meal as they can try out so many different wines!
I love food and wine pairings. The place is lovely and the food looks great, I’m glad you enjoyed each one! I wouldn’t mind trying out this place at all!
I would definitely want to try their fine wine collection. It’s such an elegant place for an intimate dinner or date.
Pinot Noir, always a favorite when dining at 5-star restaurants such as this.
Its been a while since I last had a 4 course and even 7 course meal. I love red wine and I even use white and red wine when I cook.
I might check out this resto in New World
I almost read it as “Marina Bay Hotel” which is in Singapore. Ambiance is truly classy and I loved your food pics.
Napa valley wine is definitely one of the best. The food presentation looks absolutely spot on & michelin rated!
Oh my gosh, my kind of date night place – steak and wine! I don’t usually eat lentils but they look interesting combined with the pork. I’m drooling!
The ambience of this place is creamy fabulous! The combo of Napa wines and the spicy food is a match for best of both worlds. love it!
Wow such a lavish dinner with wine pairing. I like the easy going Pinot Noir 2012 with pork belly.