Category: Alabang

  • Review of Neil’s Kitchen (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    Review of Neil’s Kitchen (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    I was invited to attend and cover TOMS Give Fair in Alabang last Saturday, and since the event was scheduled in the afternoon, I thought it was a nice opportunity to have lunch nearby: at Neil’s Kitchen. 🙂 I’ve read lots of positive reviews about this place, and most agree you get your money’s worth. Thankfully, high expectations were met! This is a cool spot where there’s no loud music and no flashing lights but rather a peaceful, perfectly executed dining setup. Neil’s Kitchen is one of the most talked about restaurants in Westgate Center, and there’s no wonder that it’s a top choice when it comes to Filipino food in Alabang.

    Review of Neil’s Kitchen (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Often in other places, decorations on staircases get overlooked, and what a pity–they’re one of the most high-traffic areas where people go up and down. Neil’s Kitchen’s interior designer must be wise to have made good use of this space. A gallery of 3D decorations along the staircase wall can instantly draw in the eye. They were the first to get my attention, and these were quickly followed by the mason-jars lighting fixtures hanging down from the white ceiling. Love them all! 🙂

    Adding to the wow factor and making the restaurant look more interesting are the memorable quotes that tell so much about the nature of foodies. “Count the memories and not the calories,” the tick mark on the Hungry check box, and “People who love to eat are always the best people” are fine examples.

    The black and white theme is a popular choice for eating areas, and Neil’s Kitchen mixes it with yellow for a good pop of color. Seating is a bit tight with tables and chairs packed in at maximum density. However, bright ambiance and clean lines still make it a go-to venue for everything from big family lunches, reunions, business meals, to special occasions you won’t forget. There’s also a bookstore at the back where you can find inspiring book titles that can help live your best life.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Neil’s Kitchen’s staff showcased flawless service and they were so accommodating we felt that anything was possible. Staff here gave a good example of Filipino hospitality. In an industry where most restaurants face the challenge of manpower crunch, it is a blessing indeed. I give two thumbs up for friendliness, attentiveness, and efficiency of customer service.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Crab cakes are always a wonderful treat, and Neil Kitchen’s Crab Cake Torta with Aligue Pasta (PhP 495) did not disappoint. The crab cake torta had that delicious and slightly sweet aroma of the ocean and a tenderness that lobsters only aspire to. I love that we did not have to poke through our utensils or eat the crab with our hands. In cake form, the jumbo lump crab meat had a somewhat crisp exterior and inside, there was no extra starchy binders at all.

    Complementing well to the taste of the crab meat, the Aligue Pasta was flavorful and fantastic. Aligue is the crab’s roe so you can just imagine how “sinful” this pasta is. But like what the quote said, don’t mind the calories but the memories. Whisper that a few times and any guilt will dissipate on your first bite. 😛


    While deciding what to order, my mom looked at the table next to us and saw the Boneless Chicken Barbecue with Java Rice (PhP 395). The plating looked appetizing for sure and the macaroni salad on the side made it even more tempting. I thought there was nothing special about the chicken barbecue, but I was wrong. It was one of the best versions I’ve ever tried! The smoky barbecue chicken was cut in bite-size portions. It had perfectly juicy and moist meat and a sweet, sticky glaze. The nutty sauce did not seem to be a critical component to enhance the flavor, as the sweet-and-tangy chicken was richly seasoned. Tart atchara (pickled papaya) came in as a good accompaniment to the dish.

    Ending our indulgent meal, the signature dessert at the restaurant, Fried Suman, Mangga, and Chocnut (PhP 295), was pretty glorious. It was a very tropical dessert that was elegantly plated and not overly sweet, so you can be sure that it will not satiate your appetite.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Neil’s Kitchen in Alabang is quite a buzzy gem that earns raves for its excellent renditions of Filipino food. Price for value is fair. With chic ambiance and charming service without pretentiousness, it’s a restaurant that should be noted in everyone’s short list.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/neilskitchen.bonellis/” name=”Neil’s Kitchen” description=”Lot C 701 and 704 Westgate Filinvest, 1770 Alabang Muntinlupa City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 7108962 / 7711334 / 09173112916 or email neils.kitchen@yahoo.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-11-21″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    Review of Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets in Westgate Center, Alabang celebrated its first anniversary last March 8, 2015. TUS’ Restaurant may look like just another modern European restaurant in the city, but wait until you step inside and you’ll be in for a treat! Owned by Maricar Sason and Chef Krsna Algenio (photo below), TUS (Spanish for “yours”) serves food in cazuela (Spanish clay cookware) and ceramic skillets. Considering the variety of interesting dishes they offer, this downright charming space can easily be your next favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner haven.

    Review of Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    “Cozy yet cosmopolitan” sums up the two-story TUS’ Restaurant as a perfect spot for romantic dates or even a reunion meal with your family on a weekend. Hardwood floors and good lighting lend an international feel, while wooden accents on furniture and decors show character and elegance that make you feel at home. I also love its Euro-hip ambiance filled with lots of quirky displays on the shelves and walls that make the place look even more unique and picture-friendly for the camera.

    Service: ★★★★★

    As one would expect of a restaurant at this level, service was pleasant and remarkable. Above all, the servers here were responsive and eager to provide what the customers needed.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Appetizers

    If you don’t like green food, do yourself a favor and break out of that shell even for a sec. 😛 Tus’ Spinach Dip (PhP 220) is a must-try! Paired beautifully with bread, it appealed as hot and gooey and all that great stuff. Like a crowd-pleasing French take on the all-American spinach and artichoke dip, the Spinach Dip was made with tons of seasoned spinach blended with cream and topped with mozzarella cheese.

    We also had the Jalapeno Croquettes (PhP 150) that were filled with mashed potatoes and jalapenos. These were insanely addictive and the accompanying cheddar cheese sauce ​rocked the taste just right. You may think of these croquettes as a carbohydrates-laden snack or a hearty helping packed with comfort.

    Mains

    Moving on to our mains, we were wowed by the size of the BLT Calzone (PhP 460). It appeared too big to be all eaten at once! With great fillings and solid texture, TUS’ folded pizza was a simple and straightforward rendition executed very well. It was stuffed with BLT (bacon, lettuce, tomatoes), mozzarella cheese and served with aioli sauce—just what you think of when you imagine a great Italian calzone.

    Next, we were served with three kinds of pot pies cooked upside down on a clay pot with a variety of ingredients, mozzarella cheese, and homemade dough. The Chicken Ranch (PhP 270) was made with pan-seared chicken tossed in alfredo sauce topped with homemade ranch dressing. Its filling, complete with cubes of chicken, was flavorful.

    Topped with homemade sausage pizza with basil and marinara sauce, the House Sausage (PhP 390) was spot on. There’s a hint of a dash of spices in the sausage that made its flavor pop. The crust was also crisp and not too soggy and not too burnt.

    For vegetarians, the Margherita (PhP 390) must be a hit. Baked with marinara sauce drizzled with olive oil, this pot pie was a delight in our palate, stopping just shy of filling our appetite. Toppings included freshly sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, and sea salt.

    If you’ve been looking for a credible burrito, I can safely say that you’ll find one at Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets. Its Wet Beef Burrito (PhP 390) is highly recommended. Basically, it’s burrito rice and beef wrapped in a tortilla, lathered with tomato sauce, covered with mozzarella cheese and salsa, topped with sour cream and jalapenos. All ingredients were put together like a match made in heaven. Mmmmmm!

    Now, we’re down to the steaks. Tus’ Skillet Steaks are quality rib-eye steaks cooked according to the customer’s done-ness and served with the choice of side: fries, smashed potatoes with gravy, butter, sauteed corn, or rice. You can’t go wrong with any of the following: Herbed Butter Steak (PhP 620) topped with a mix of fresh herbs and butter, Cheese and Onions Steak (PhP 660), and Spicy Lemon Pesto (PhP 660). Combining ultra glorious fifth taste, these cuts of meat were so rich, buttery, tender, and beefy that you really can’t resist to get a big hunk of the steak yourself. Savor, and not gorge. :mrgreen:

    Desserts

    Warm and chewy, the Half Baked Cookie (PhP 180) was gooey and creamy. I appreciated that it wasn’t too sweet but just sweet enough. The flavor boasted nice notes of chocolate (kinda like Milo in powder form). Eating the half baked cookie with ice cream was extremely satisfying. There’s no wonder that it got lots of compliments from our table.

    Tus’ Tiramisu (PhP 220) was moist and decadent, with the familiar taste of coffee-and-cream. If you’re not concerned to welcome summer with a dent on your diet, all you have to do is dig in and devour.

    Drinks

    Finally, for our drink, we shared a pitcher of Pineapple Float (PhP 445). What seemed to be an innocent pineapple juice was anything but. It’s pineapple juice with scoops of vanilla ice cream! Ahh… it’s so good. There’s not much more that needs to be said.

    To view more items on TUS Restaurant’s menu, click here.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Tabs are quite on the expensive end, but payoffs include a marvelous team of staff, high quality food, and the privilege to dine in with style. Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets’ location may be pretty out of way for some (1-2 hours drive from Manila in my case), but this gem in Alabang is worth the trip for superior variants of modern European fare and an overall relaxing meal. It’s a good idea to book ahead or make a reservation in advance. Enjoy! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/tusrestaurant” name=”Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets” description=”D1 Westgate Center, Commerce Avenue cor. Filinvest Avenue Alabang, Muntinlupa City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 828-3178 or +63917 5680964″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-03-16″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Mon-Thu 8:00AM-2:00PM, 5:00PM-9:30PM
    Fri 8:00AM-2:00PM, 5:00PM-10:00PM
    Sat-Sun 8:00AM-10:00PM

  • Review of Butamaru Ramen (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    Review of Butamaru Ramen (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    With more restaurants specializing in ramen opening up faster than we imagine, it’s becoming clear that the world of ramen extends far beyond the instant variety we grew up on. Butamaru Ramen in Westgate Center, Alabang is another fitting example where you can expect to seize perfect components from a bowl of ramen. We took our turn to visit the place last Saturday not only to learn more about Butamaru by name (buta means pork) and how the ramen tastes, but also to discover how it serves chasu in round, melt-in-your-mouth slices.

    Butamaru Ramen opened last September 2014, with Chef Jerome Lim heading the kitchen backed up with extensive training experience from Sugimura-san of Menko noodle company in Oita, Japan. From his account, we’ve known that achieving the right combination of ramen ingredients plus mastering the timing aren’t too easy. So when a ramen place nails it—and elevates “good ramen” to “great ramen,” foodies would feel thrilled to try it. And great ramen is what we’re after here. 😛

    Review of Butamaru Ramen (Westgate Center, Alabang)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Butamaru Ramen in Alabang is built with two floors, with the first floor housing the kitchen and the ramen bar and the second floor covering more of the dining area. The nondescript entryway leads to a wide staircase that whisks you upstairs into a likewise light and open space.

    The place was smaller than I pictured, but it’s well-appointed and not at all cramped. The layout is a welcome change from the narrow counter of a traditional ramen shop. Tables and seating can be rearranged for bigger groups. Decors are minimal and I’ve nothing to complain. I’m a fan of minimalistic and simplistic design. Overall, the ambiance was inviting and cozy, ideal for families and a variety of diners who would like to have a quality but relaxed dining experience when in Alabang.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Servers were courteous and helpful. It was good for them to consider having to station at least one staff on the second floor to accommodate and reach out for customers’ requests and make sure that guests are well taken care of. Attentiveness was also not a problem. The staff was quick to provide recommendations of food on the menu.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Broth of ramen at Butamaru go through 16 hours of cooking, making it thick, sticky, and opaque. Packed with emulsified fats and proteins from the long-boiled bones of the pig, the ramen broth tasted solid and true to the flavor.

    I had the Curry Tantanmen (PhP 350) for myself and tried a few sips of the Tantanmen (PhP 350) and the Shoyu Ramen (PhP 320) as well. I loved that the noodles are firm enough at standard (tip: you can ask for the noodles to be served firm or soft). After tasting the three, I had a mental note awarding Curry Tantanmen as the winner.

    Made with spicy peanut and sesame, the Curry Tantanmen was exuberant and almost creamy in texture. It’s what you can consider an in-your-face food, as it’s extremely delicious, awash with curry powder. The fiery color made the ramen more appetizing! Minced pork was juicy and wholesome. Adding soft-boiled eggs (PhP 50) is optional but you’ll be happy you did.

    Tantanmen tasted almost like Curry Tantanmen—only without the curry, literally and figuratively. Delicious in all its glory, this ramen variant made my taste buds feel bombarded with fireworks of intense spice. The taste of peanut was more evident, ending with heat at the back of my throat. It can be requested to be moderately spicy, but we liked it hot! 😛 It all comes down to your personal preference.

    The soy sauce-based tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen was also a joyful bowl of food that when mixed with chasu had a smoky complexity to the already excellent soup.

    If there’s one item on the menu that’s vegetarian-friendly, I guess it would be the Ramen Salad (PhP 280). It was fresh-tasting, with noodles and an assortment of vegetables tossed in black sesame dressing. Cut into manageable lengths, the noodles were silky, cold, and toothsome, and a little bit sweet. After mixing the ingredients together, the resulting blend was good, kinda counteracting the lingering tastes of the ramen broth and resetting our palates back to a refreshingly neutral state. 🙂

    With a decent amount of fat, Chashu (PhP 150) has to be the prime highlight of our visit. It was moist, sweet, and tender. This can be ordered as a side dish separate to your main. Each order comes with three slices of Butamaru roast pork.

    If you’re more of a “rice person,” consider pairing the short order of chashu with Takana Chahan (PhP 200), which itself can be very filling. Think of it as a comforting respite with bits and slices of chashu and egg in between bold and full-bodied tastes of ramen, and eat with a leisurely pace.

    To combine both chashu and rice in one dish, you’d better look toward getting Chashu Don (PhP 280) instead and appreciate more of the chashu served over steamed Japanese rice with soft-boiled egg. With a good balance of saltiness and sourness from preserved/pickled mustard cabbage (kiam chai in Hokkien, or hum choy in Cantonese) and the sweetness of chashu sauce, there comes more excitement!

    Once we were done dipping out feet into Butamaru’s crazy-good ramen and chashu, we tried the pork dumplings next. Butamaru’s Gyozas (PhP 130) were like little pockets of heaven. All were cooked well and far from frozen bags you get at the grocery store. The regular gyoza came with thin pliant wrapper which embraced ground pork filling that’s light and juicy.

    Arriving at the table upside down, the Cheese Hane Gyoza (PhP 150) showed a delicately crisp lace of starch formed at the bottom of the pan. When cut through fork, a layer delivered a pleasant crackle and the taste was exceptional. Too lovely! 😀

    Filled in with aburi chasyu with special curry paste, the Curry Gyoza (PhP 150) was a more unique and interesting version that appeared more yellowish than the regular kind. The cheese hane gyoza may be better received than the regular gyoza, but the curry gyoza will also give a run for your money.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The first-rate noodles served at Butamaru Ramen can make you totally forget about the instant ramen you used to cook and prepare at home. This ramen place can become a local favorite quickly, since prices are sensible for the good quality of dishes. My only qualm is the location because it’s far away from Manila. If you’re willing to drive to the south and spend maybe an hour or two on the road (and toll fee if you’re entering via the Skyway), then be ready for a seat at Butamaru Ramen, where you will be rewarded with slurp-ilicious bowls of ramen goodness—and more. 🙂

     [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/ButamaruPH” name=”Butamaru Ramen” description=”CE405 Westgate Center, Commerce Avenue cor. Filinvest Avenue Alabang, Muntinlupa City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 887-4255″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-03-12″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of The Nest – Dining in the Sky (Vivere Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa)

    Review of The Nest – Dining in the Sky (Vivere Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa)

    Happy 2015! This is my first post of the year, so it has to be special, right? 😛 I’ll skip sharing my New Year’s resolutions because honestly I can’t think of even one, haha. I haven’t blogged in the past two weeks because I was busy watching my diet closely and working out in the gym every other day without fail for muscle-toning. Diet and fitness hold a large part of my lifestyle, so I figured that ending 2014 with those would feel right. Anyway, enough word on that and let’s go down to business! :mrgreen:

    Last Sunday, we had lunch in The Nest “Dining in the Sky,” an all-day dining establishment perched on the topmost floor of Vivere Hotel.

    Vivere Hotel is a towering five-star deluxe hotel in Alabang that’s considered as one of the first hotels developed in the area. At its 31st floor sits a restaurant which was used to be known as Sky Lounge. In its 12th year in July 2013, the restaurant underwent reconstruction, redesign and re-conceptualization not only in terms of theme and decor but also in food and drinks. The owners decided to name it The Nest, a place where guests can feel comfortable and right “at home.” Warmly welcomed by courteous staff and relaxing atmosphere, I was quite convinced.

    Review of The Nest – Dining in the Sky (Vivere Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    There’s something in distressed white walls echoing the muted palette of furnishing that gives a calming and relaxing vibe. The Nest in Alabang, being positioned on top of the hotel building, offers a secluded and peaceful refuge to rejuvenate in a tranquil backdrop.

    The restaurant is broadly divided into interrelated yet seemingly distinct spaces, i.e. the bar, semi open-air in-room dining area, two function rooms which can fit 30-50 people, and the al fresco setup with a mesmerizing view of the city and an infinity pool.

    The combination of imagery, the color palette used, and the strategic placement of key functional elements all contribute towards a very classy and lovely ambiance. I find The Nest as an ideal place for romantic dates (celebrating Valentine’s Day or anniversaries), casual family dinners, business meetings, feasts and holidays.

    Just note that it’s not totally advisable to grab a table outside on a windy day no matter how much you want to appreciate the urban landscape. The strong winds tend to blow away the table napkins and anything light. Plus, you’ll hate it when the wind messes up your hairstyle and disturbs your dining experience altogether. Your options? Either be fine with it—tie your hair in a bun or back to a ponytail and put hairspray—or just ask if you can transfer inside.

    Stay-in hotel guests can enjoy breakfast buffet from 5:30AM to 10:30AM. At this time of the day, the bar counter expands to form buffet tables, and some dining sets are moved to provide more space for buffet dining. By lunch (11:00AM to 4:00PM) and dinner (6:00PM to 1:00AM), The Nest transforms to a fine, a la carte dining with specialties of international cuisine and a superb list of bar drinks.

    Mellow and jazz music is played live by a pianist and saxist tandem from Mondays to Saturdays from 7:30PM to 12:30PM. Eat and be entertained. 🙂

    Food: ★★★★★

    As a restaurant in a five-star hotel, The Nest in Alabang serves mixed cuisines to stimulate the appetite of both Philippine locals and foreigners who come for a visit. The following featured dishes are mostly their best-sellers—all wonderfully executed.

    Salads and appetizers are not mandatory, but they’re great to whet one’s appetite. We started our heavy lunch with Mango Salad with Scallops (PhP 475). I absolutely loved the crunchiness of the mixed greens and the sweetness of the strawberry vinaigrette combined. The grilled scallops wrapped in spinach and bacon tasted salty. Its saltiness was nicely complemented with Hollandaise sauce that was just slightly tangy.

    Another salad dish that came visually striking was the Crispy Catfish Salad (PhP 390). When I saw that the Thai noodles were mixed with strips of green mangoes, I simply chuckled to myself at how ridiculous these two would fit in terms of flavors and appropriateness. But hey, taste was delightful, and I surprisingly liked it. Toppings were made with crispy fried flakes of catfish meat, onions, peanuts and cilantro leaves. Get it if you can, especially during summer months.

    If salads and greens don’t do it for you, find yourself freedom. The Nest’s Beef Salpicao (PhP 450), their best-selling sizzler, must be a hit for beef lovers. It’s prepared with tender U.S. beef chunks cooked in lots of garlic and served with mashed potatoes. Sauce used was mostly of Worcestershire, a bit like pepper steak. I liked that the garlic chips didn’t have that garlicky aftertaste. The mashed potatoes on the side were pretty good, too, as they were not too mashed but turned out rather like pillowy mounds of soft potatoes.


    While falling some way short of spiciness as in my expectation, the Buffalo Chicken Wings (PhP 380) were tasty and yummy nonetheless. Served with blue cheese dressing, this dish certainly weighed on the savory end.

    Moving to the main courses, first to arrive on our table was the Crispy Binagoongan (PhP 450). This local dish can trigger a belt-loosening euphoria. It was flawlessly made with lechon kawali simmered in shrimp paste and tomatoes with lady fingers and chili. I recommend biting into the crispy skin of lechon kawali with white rice, bagoong, veggies and then the mangoes in one spoonful. So Filipino. So good.

    The Bistro Steak (PhP 1155) would please the palate of most. Cooked to perfection, the 225-grams succulent strip loin was tender and deliciously juicy with each cut oozing in goodness. Taste and texture were just as amazing as it looked! The steak was accompanied with creamy mushroom and peppercorn demi-glaze sauce and mashed potatoes. Note that this is a must-order in The Nest.

    The Pan-grilled Chicken and Garlic Steak (PhP 380) tasted like it was properly marinated in barbecue sauce. Topped with lots of roasted garlic chips and served with steamed white rice, the grilled chicken thigh steaks were juicy and the flavors blended well. As comfort food, this deserved a big thumbs up.

    The least that I liked was Vongole (PhP 310)—fresh homemade linguini made with fresh clams stewed in white wine, tossed in olive oil, butter, garlic, and chili. Without adding salt, pepper and chili flakes, the pasta was too bland without any punch of flavor. Adding one squeeze of lemon didn’t help either. I’m sure I won’t get this next time.

    For dessert, we had the Frozen Brazo (PhP 220), a frozen version of the classic Filipino dessert called “brazo de mercedes.” It was made with soft and fluffy meringue, layers of graham crust, custard, mantecado (vanilla butter),  and flavored ice cream. We enjoyed the variation in textures and levels of sweetness, which made it calorie-worthy! 🙂

    Containing a rich chocolate molten core, the Molten Lava Cake with Salted Caramel (PhP 220) was truly decadent. The crust had a beautiful crisp texture that acted like a gentle casing to contain the warm and dense chocolate within. This cake had just the right level of sweetness to please our palate without any satiation. Loved it.

    If you want something lighter and less overwhelming, the Mango Creme Brûlée (PhP 220) must be perfect. Leaving a good impression, the sharp tang of mangoes harmoniously pieced together with the creamy custard and crisp caramelized sugar on top. This dessert tasted too good to resist. 🙂

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Items on the menu are generally not over-the-top expensive. The prices are surprisingly affordable, considering the five-star ambiance, service, and the wide range of delicious food. Portions are family-style (great for sharing), so I’m sure that there will be something that will suit everyone’s mood and budget.

    Thanks to Aldous for organizing this event. My family will surely love this place. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/thenestalabang” name=”The Nest Alabang” description=”31/F Vivere Hotel, 5102 Bridgeway Avenue, corner Asean Dr Alabang, Muntinlupa City ” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 771-7777″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-01-13″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]