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Category: European

  • Review of Cucina di Francesco Restaurant and Cafe (Libis, Quezon City)

    Review of Cucina di Francesco Restaurant and Cafe (Libis, Quezon City)

    We had our post Valentine’s Day celebration at Cucina di Francesco, a community cafe that serves Italian comfort food, freshly-baked products and coffee drinks. It’s located across St. Pio Chapel, only three minutes of walk away from our office, making it an excellent spot for our dinner last Friday after work. While having dinner, the team surprised us and threw a baby shower. We had games and plenty of fun! Anyway, that’s another story to tell in a different time. Here’s a review of the restaurant and a food rundown.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BuMF7IsFLu_/

    Review of Cucina di Francesco (Libis, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Cucina di Francesco has a cool, casual, and confident atmosphere that remains mercifully undercrowded. The neutral space features a minimalist, elegant interior with color accents inspired by the Italian flag. Brick and beige walls are matched with wooden furniture and sleek and bright lighting that added a little warmth in the dining room. Everything looks crisp and clean. The painting on the wall by the stairs brings a further oomph; it’s designed by some UP Diliman Fine Arts students.

    Food:

    Toasted Ravioli (PhP 165) was an easy choice to begin with. It’s pan-toasted spinach ravioli drizzled with marinara sauce, a great appetizer.

    Next up, the Breakfast Pizza (PhP 360) was delicious and simple without having too many elements of complexity. Specially made bacon, ham, eggs, mozzarella, and marinara formed a great interplay of flavors with the crusty bread.

    Another pizza we tried that’s new on their menu was the Tre Formaggi Pizza (PhP 350). It’s your usual four-cheese pizza made with mozzarella, emmenthal, blue cheese, and bechamel and it didn’t disappoint. If you love cheese, get this.

    It was time now for the main attraction: Frutti di Mare (PhP 330). This pasta dish is one of the must-orders when dining in Cucina di Francesco. The pasta game is strong and I love the combined seafood flavors. Shrimp, clams, and anchovies provided a great salty overtone that’s then punctuated with sun-dried tomatoes in garlic butter and olive oil. It was very good indeed.

    Porchetta (PhP 780) is another bestseller and sure enough, the 14-hour roasted pork belly was lovely and extra aromatic. The porchetta was rich and crisp and it looked like a perfect centerpiece for a special-occasional meal.  Brimming with porky sapor, it was topped with garlic confit and was served with olive-fig tapenade, balsamic vinaigrette, and au jus gravy. The taste of the pork belly alone was on point even without these various condiments. The wonderfully crunchy, salty skin satisfies your basest cravings.

    Price for Value:

    Cucina di Francesco is a bustling moderately-priced Italian restaurant that’s a nice spot especially for families after visiting the chapel or for people working in Libis. If you’ve had your fair share of Italian food in other restaurants, then the dishes here wouldn’t be something that will particularly “wow” you, but they’re pretty decent. Must orders are pasta and pizza, of course. For occasions that require large groups, this place would be an absolute delight. Ask to be seated on the second or third floor (private function areas) and call ahead to easily snag and secure your reservation.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/cucinadifrancesco/” name=”Cucina di Francesco Restaurant and Cafe” description=”RER Compound (St. Pio Chapel), 188 E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City 1110″ rev_body=”Call (02) 534 9935 or email cucinadifrancesco16@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Sioco” pubdate=”2019-02-24″ user_review=”4.1″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Alter Ego (New Manila, Quezon City)

    Review of Alter Ego (New Manila, Quezon City)

    Why the name Alter Ego? From their About page, it’s because the mélange of flavors comes from the east and the west. We were surprised to find that it’s located on a street a few steps away only from Robinsons Magnolia. It was almost like a revelation and I guess not many people have already figured this out.

    As with Kokoro Japanese Grindz, we booked a reservation here via Eatigo hence getting a good deal of discount from our bill. So, with “two personalities coexisting in a single self,” does their concept of having an alter ego actually work? This restaurant offers familiar and recognizable dishes catered to modern palates, but with new and exciting twists. There’s a different spin that could be put on with each dish, and the possibilities seem limitless!

    Review of Alter Ego (New Manila, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Alter Ego Fusion Restaurant has a calm and quiet ambiance. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back for hours, chat nonstop with friends, or work with your laptop on. It’s a laid-back place where you can enjoy your meal with no rush. Since it’s like “a hidden gem in New Manila,” we were the only customers when we came in so I had a great chance to take pictures of all parts of the restaurant.

    Overall, the theme and interior design looked elegant and decent. There’s a front part featuring Azucar products proudly displayed at a chiller, and the justify and right wings where customers are to be seated. Outside, there’s an al fresco area, complete with a colorful wall mural, for a youthful vibe.

    Food:

    The food at Alter Ego strikes a difficult sweet spot; there were both hits and misses.

    It was raining that day, so we thought soups would be a good start. We got Seafood Ravioli Laksa (PhP 220) and also shared a warm bowl of Pumpkin Soup Souffle (PhP 205). The presentations were simple, and the flavor profiles were so subtle. I didn’t like them as much as I expected from the descriptions on the menu.

    As compared to the traditional laksa I relish, this one with seafood coconut broth was bland for my liking. The ravioli in the soup didn’t come out fresh but rather frozen then heated, far from the kind that would create a good sensation.

    With a cheese souffle on top, the pumpkin soup wasn’t favored too much either. The egg white was fluffy like a cloud and just as light, but the soup itself had a weak stock with a little taste of seasoning and didn’t taste anything special.

    Okay, so we didn’t have a strong start at Alter Ego. Following the soup dishes was a comfort Filipino dish given a twist by preparing it sous vide for six hours. Nicely plated, the twice-cooked pork belly (PhP 340) was probably the best thing we had here. The grilled pork belly perfectly went together with the ratatouille and the buttered basil rice. It had a good amount of fat and meat, and the flavor was quite sweet. The veggies in the mix livened it up, and we liked it.

    Lastly, we got Devil’s Curry (PhP 230). It’s a fun course but not so much a “can’t-miss” entree. Cooked with Portuguese-Malay curry sauce, southeast Asian chili, herbs, and spices spiked with vinegar, the seared chicken dish was interesting and last meal-worthy. The bold spice and warm notes of curry brought depth and interest to an otherwise basic curry. I loved that the chicken was tender and the sauce was a little thick, which complemented the steamed white rice well.

    Price for Value:

    Alter Ego in Hemady, Quezon City provided us some enjoyable dishes and some not-so-impressive ones. Nevertheless, this casual restaurant featuring balanced Eastern-Western fusion dishes deserve some attention. Choose main courses well for a boss-impressing lunch or a lingering wine-fueled dinner. Since it’s quite empty at peak mealtime, there’s more opportunities to book the place for an event. It’s a nice neighborhood hot spot where diners can leave with a novel experience. Without the 30% discount from Eatigo though, prices would seem more expensive considering the value.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/iamalterego/” name=”Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro” description=”41 Dona Hemady Corner 1st Street, New Manila, Quezon City” rev_body=”For inquiries, call (02) 622 6109″ author=”Rochkirstin Sioco” pubdate=”2019-01-20″ user_review=”3.1″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Last Sunday, we wanted to explore more restaurants along Tomas Morato. Louie searched through Zomato and found Mario’s which we’ve passed by several times but really didn’t take notice. Mario’s is reputable as the place to go for a good-sized tasty steak, and its Caesar Salad is known to be a “gastronomic masterpiece,” both divine and unreplicable. I was craving for paella that time. Since it’s a restaurant specializing in Spanish food, we supposed their paella won’t go amiss. 🙂 We were right!

    Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Mario’s is a fancy restaurant in Tomas Morato that’s elegant and down-to-earth. It’s a good place for family gatherings, intimate dates, and celebrations of any special event. The interior design has the right balance of comfort and creativity, proffering dim lights, muted walls, tables fitted with white and ivory cloths topped with lined patterns that never go out of style, old-time surroundings, and quiet ambiance. It’s not just another casual place to grab a bite.

    Service:

    We arrived at 12:10pm and were immediately seated and handed the menu. When we ordered their best-selling paella, the staff asked if it was okay for us to wait 45 minutes since preparation and cooking will start from scratch. Patience is a virtue and we could stand just a little more patience for something that’s worth the wait. We said yes.

    An hour passed before our paella arrived hot on the table. We did two follow-ups which were both not so reassuring. More customers came and we noticed that it was only then when diners who came before us started to get their food served. Long wait and hold times usually translate to lost sales, and service issues in most cases send many customers off the rails. But here, it’s a different story. People were having nice conversations over the table and they were having a good time.

    So when planning to dine at Mario’s and you’re the type who hates to wait, make sure to order appetizers first as we did. Your growling stomach will thank you. 🙂

    Food:

    We had their Soup of the Day (PhP 120) which was cream of spinach and celery. It’s a thick, rich, and wholesome soup that’s accompanied by the complimentary basket of hearty bread with butter. It was enough to satiate our animated-ogre hunger for about half an hour.

    Paella Valenciana (PhP 735) is a vibrant mix of seafood, chicken, pork and sausage. And indeed, it was worth waiting for. The rice grains were evenly cooked and tender throughout. The sweet, briny flavor of the shellfish and shrimps shone through the dish, and we enjoyed the contrasting meatiness of the pork and sausage. It’s a party dish and a great comfort food, everything in one perfect pot, aromatic and delicious all at once.

    Price for Value:

    If you’re anywhere near Tomas Morato, don’t miss out on Mario’s. This restaurant is a charming landmark epitomizing refined and upscale Filipino-Spanish cuisine. Prices are a bit steep but fair given the quality of food and our overall experience. Chef’s Specials which we’d like to try next time include the Gambas Con Choriza Pasta (PhP 390), Tenderloin Steak (PhP 690), Steak and Prawn Thermidore (PHp 815), and Angus Rib-Eye USDA Prime Grade Steak (PhP 1995).

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.marios.com.ph/” name=”Review of Mario’s (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)” description=”191 Tomas Morato Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 02.372.0360 / 02.415.3887 or email mariosqc@marios.com.ph” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-05-30″ user_review=”4.3″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Prego Ristorante and Bar (City of Dreams Manila, Parañaque)

    Review of Prego Ristorante and Bar (City of Dreams Manila, Parañaque)

    From the team that brought L’Opera Ristorante Italiano and Balducci, Prego Ristorante and Bar in City of Dreams Manila is an Italian restaurant and bar specializing in regional Tuscan cuisine. Prego translates to “please” or “you’re welcome” in English. No wonder why this place is so welcoming! After our first visit yesterday, we’re ready to say that we do like this place a lot. Every dish was presented like a masterpiece before our eyes, and the flavors were beyond superb.

    Lunch was booked through BigDish’s website a week ago, and we had an instant discount off our meal. In case you’re not yet familiar, BigDish is a brand-new way of offering dining deals and discounts. There’s no membership fee required. Just reserve online and get discounts off your bill depending on the number of people, date and time, and the restaurant chosen. Once booking is done, a confirmation code will show up and this should be presented to the restaurant at the time of visit.

    Review of Prego Ristorante and Bar (City of Dreams Manila, Parañaque)

    Ambiance:

    If you long for the gold standard for fine, not fussy Italian dining in Metro Manila, this will be it. Prego has a cozy yet chic feel, far from stuffy, yet formal enough to function as a post-work or pre-casino destination for those eating in this area for that purpose, or a place where you can celebrate and hold momentous events with loved ones. Prego has a main dining area with sofa seating for families and groups, a bar area for those who wants some booze, and a lounge where guests can go for coffee and dessert. The charming space is outfitted with high ceilings and good lighting. Wine bottles displayed on the walls and positioned at the back raise the glamour quotient.

     

    Service:

    The upscale atmosphere is enhanced by professional and accommodating servers providing the finishing touch on this gastronomic gem. Our plates were changed as soon as we finished every last entree, our glasses were filled with water in a timely manner, and we were asked every now and then if we needed anything. The plates did not arrive all at once, giving us time to really relish and finish our food and have some conversations in between. The first-class service added up to the refined mood that’s perfect for client entertaining or a fancy date night. Simply put, the warm, receptive staff won our hearts.

    Food:

    Who can pass up on fresh bread? 😉 Certainly not us.

    Prego Ristorante and Bar isn’t reinventing the wheel when it comes to Italian cuisine. It has all the makings of a great restaurant, and an even better place to discover food you love. Dishes on the menu are written in Italian with descriptions in English. For antipasti de terra, we had the house recommendation: Affettati Assortiti con Coccole e Salsa al Gorgonzola e Mascarpone (PhP 590), which basically consisted of assorted Italian cuts and pizza puffs, served with gorgonzola and mascarpone cheese sauce. This platter got our meal to an eye-catching start. Thinly sliced and arranged artistically in like triangular handkerchiefs, the cured meat had a mild taste and delicate texture. Most notable for me were the prosciutto and mortadella.


    The selection of pasta was pretty impressive as well, but our eyes were set on Ravioli all’ Aragosta (PhP 590) the moment we saw “lobster” and “shrimp” together in one. And we made no mistake, the homemade lobster and shrimp-filled ravioli in cream sauce was a true hit. Each pasta pillow was filled with a hearty and savory blend of the crustaceans, and the cream was loaded with heavy buttery goodness. The raviolis were colored with the flag of Italy, featuring three equally-sized vertical pales of green, white and red, with the green at the hoist side. Now, this is what we call creative!

    For our main dish, we chose to go with Bistecca Disossata alla Griglia con Spinaci (PhP 520/100g, minimum 300g per order). It’s certified angus beef rib-eye accompanied with sautéed spinach and vegetables. Again, we enjoyed every single bit of its parts. Cooked to medium doneness (as we requested), the steak retained the buttery, flavorful taste of medium-rare steaks while still having juiciness and tenderness that comes with a good piece of beef.


    For our dessert, we opted for something more unique than the traditional mango or chocolate panna cotta. Panna Cotta al Miele Tartufato (PhP 420) is a special version of the famous Italian cream custard with truffled honey syrup and sweet balsamic vinegar. Apparently, truffles aren’t just for pasta, pizza, fries, and risotto, and balsamic vinegar isn’t only for bread, pizza, and salads.

    It appears that nothing is impossible nowadays, and we were very pleased. Now we know that panna cotta ticks the box of things that go well with truffles. The flavor and fragrance of the truffled honey complemented the savory tones and richness of the cream. Texture was custard-like, silky smooth, and thick but still melts in the mouth.

    Price for Value:

    Prego Ristorante and Bar in City of Dreams Manila is everything you’d expect from a fine-dining Italian restaurant and bar. It pairs elegant and tasty plates with beautiful and serene surroundings overseen by their welcoming staff. Any meal would be a special occasion and although the experience is decidedly not cheap, it’s certainly worth what you pay. Plus, booking with BigDish would be a nice move to get discounted rates. Dine smarter and click on the button below to reserve a table now. 🙂

    To know more about BigDish, check out its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BigDishPH/ or visit its website at https://bigdish.ph/. Click this button to book a table now:

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/restaurants/prego” name=”Prego Ristorante and Bar” description=”Upper Ground Level, City of Dreams Manila, Roxas Blvd, Parañaque, 1701 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 893 4155″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-06-05″ ]

  • Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans

    Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans

    With all the eating we’ve done during our travel to the Balkans, I was 100% certain I would be gaining weight at tremendous speed, faster than I ever have in my life—and I was right (secretly hoped not). In 11 consecutive days, we visited at least two restaurants a day and were served with appetizing meals complete with a starter, a heavy main course, and yummy dessert. We could have waved a white flag, out of fullness, each time. In any case, we thank Mulan Travel Service Corp. for having done a great job in selecting restaurants with a sophisticated edge serving up delicious food that’s pretty hard not to love. In this post, I’m sharing the 12 best restaurants we tried in the Balkans (Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina). 🙂

    Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans

    1. Vila Prešeren

    Veslaska Promenada 14 SI-4260 Bled, Slovenia
    +386 4 5752510

    A sensational place for a contemporary, light cuisine with a touch of the Mediterranean, Vila Prešeren’s à la carte restaurant offers salad platters, risottos, pastas, fish and meat dishes, grilled dishes and desserts accompanied with top-quality wines from the best Slovenian and foreign wine cellars. We had amuse bouche, risotto with octopus, shrimps, and parmesan lollipop, beef tagliata made with creamy potatoes with tartufata and cabernet reduction, and the famous Bled cream cake. Overall, Vila Prešeren can be seen as a civilized oasis where refined fare are served by warm and considerate waitstaff.

    2. Restaurant Bevanda

    Zert ul. 8, 51410, Opatija, Croatia
    +385 51 493888

    Restaurant Bevanda is one of those places that’s perfect for a tough-to-please crowd. The restaurant’s distinct interior design looks contemporary and multi-functional. Facilities can accommodate both private and business events. Focused on pure and discernible food aromas, dishes were as classic as the decor. We had risotto with mussels and Kvarner scampi and prawns, sea bass fillet grilled chard on the Diamatian way, and millefoglie with forest fruit. If you’re missing the white-tablecloth dining rooms of days past, this restaurant in a resort in Opatija must be something you’ll fancy.

    3. Restaurant Foša

    Ul. kraija Dmitra Zvonimira 2, 23420, Zadar
    +385 23 314421

    A Mediterranean restaurant in Zadar, Foša presented to us dishes that walked the line between approachable and elegant. Dinner started with the cold trio (octopus carpaccio, fresh fish carpaccio, daimatian bruschetta), followed with a fillet of sea bass with aromatic herbs gratin, oven-baked, and potatoes sauteed in olive oil, and ended wonderfully with chocolate lava cake. Ambiance was lovely, especially at nighttime. This is a space that works for both special-occasion meals and a casual drop-in.

    4. Seoska kuća Čilipi

    Bistrače 2, 20213, Čilipi, Croatia
    +385 20 771 163

    Seoska kuća Čilipi in Croatia is located in a rural area about an hour from Dubrovnik. All of the food and wine served at the farmhouse were grown by them. Meat lovers will be glad to savor their first-rate grilled meat (sausages, chicken and pork), while style-conscious diners will appreciate the rustic setting the most. This restaurant delivered an unforgettable meal for us. Wine made some of us feel “happier” than normal, if you know what I mean. 😛 Red and white wine were best paired with homemade cheese, prosciutto, and olives.

    5. Restaurant Adriatic Grašo

    Uvala Baluni 21000 Split, Croatia
    +385 (0) 21 398560

    Restaurant Adriatic Grašo is my favorite among all the restaurants in this list. 🙂 The spectacular view can’t be beat. Located on Sustipan cliff at the foot of Marjan hill (10 minutes walk from the city center of Split), this spot is known for the terrific way it handles seafood. Our appetizer, Couver Sea Fantasty, was no exception. It comprised of six different “swimmingly fresh” carpaccios on a bed of fresh salad. Scampi Cream Soup was also prepared simply and beautifully. For mains, we had white fish, calamari, and grilled scampi. Exquisite cooking and ambiance to burn define this date-night nexus. The mood was quite intimate and classy.

    6. Restaurant Galion

    Suranj bb, Kotor Municipality 85330, Montenegro
    +382 32 325054

    Galion in Montenegro is a must for seafood lovers. Their kitchen does its magic well. We enjoyed a parade of cold adriatic seafood and fish delicacies, satisfying squid ink risotto with sepia and crispy parmesan chips, and lemon cream with crispy meringue and tart crumble. There was a whole lot of wow from the combo of all these seemingly disparate flavors adorned with the Mediterranean soul. For its interior, Galion features aquatic flourishes and wooden tones enhancing an already sleek dining experience that is unmistakably high end–yet worth every penny.

    7. Restaurant Proto

    Siroka ul. 1, 20000, Duborvnik, Croatia
    +385 20 323 234

    Dinner at Proto Fish Restaurant was a grand affair, full of the kind that characterizes Croatian fine dining. Every mouthful proved to be a rewarding adventure. For starters, we had Adriatic salad with scampi, melon, and avocado and fisherman’s soup en tasse. The star of our meal was the Gratinated Lobster Tail “Ponta Ostra” (risotto with wild rice, truffles and mushrooms), and hazelnut parfait for dessert absolutely hit the spot. Brilliance doesn’t come cheap, and even though a turn in this dining room might be the most expensive thing, it’s worth splashing out for a meal here any time of day.

    8. Restaurant Poklisar

    Ribarnica ul. 1, 20000, Duborvnik, Croatia
    +385 20 322 176

    When a salad just won’t do, getting to the meat of the matter with heaping platters of protein is always a nice move. At Restaurant Poklisar where dishes have a great depth of flavor, we had mussels buzzara, a delectable serving of visually striking tenderloin (insanely good), and ended with sweet panna cotta for dessert. The flavors were comforting; it will only take a few bites to see why this restaurant has so many regulars. Along with its enticing old European atmosphere, Poklisar has exemplary servers who stayed on their toes to ensure diners leave vowing to visit again. Trivia: In Dubrovnik dialect, the name Poklisar translates to ‘’an ambassador.’’ Truly, they’re an ambassador of good taste and remarkable moments.

    9. Marco’s Bar and Food

    Ul. Korčulanskog statuta 1214, 20260, Korčula, Croatia
    +385 98 275701

    It’s not often that you get to travel to a restaurant by boat. We did at Marco’s Bar and Food, a welcoming wine bar and tavern situated at one of the best Korčula Old Town locations, right at the beautiful Trg Antuna and Stjepana Radica square. This place served one of the best food we tasted during our tour: soup, homemade pasta with lobster, and mascarpone cream with cookie crumble and wild berry coulis. Enlivened with modern presentation for great style and flair, the pasta with lobster was the most indulgent. A few bites, and you’ll realize the chef’s works of art taste as good as it looked.

    10. Restaurant Bota Šare

    Marina Drzica 1, Ston, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
    +385 20 754 482

    In an area with a dearth of good dining options in Dubrovnik, Restaurant Bota Šare is one that’s satisfying. Can you believe that two old dusty books with recipes found in the basement of the owner’s home were actually the foundation of all recipes for Bota Šare’s dishes? Their chefs find inspiration in those books to master their culinary art. As a first-timer here, it’s best to try the signature platters. Both the Mixed Bota Platter (daimatian smoked ham, cheese, fish pate, tuna salad, shellfish salad fish carpaccio, marinated fish, seafood risotto) and the Bota Mixed Fish Platter (tuna broshette, white fish file, grilled calamari, bread crumbed mussels, fried smelts with vegetables) were well-executed. The luscious combination of ingredients in each platter won’t just take you to a different block; it will knock you out of this world! For a sweet ending, we had cream caramel. Oh, it was divine!

    11. Restaurant Gallo

    Ul. Andrije Hebranga 34, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
    +385 1 4814014

    If you are looking for true continental and coastal Croatian cuisine, Gallo is the place. It’s only a few minutes of walking distance from Zagreb’s greatest cultural assets (the National Theatre, Mimara Museum, University Library, and Academy of Arts and Science). With the homey and classic ambiance, we felt like queens even though we weren’t dressed for the evening. Fish soup set the right mood for a decent meal. The seafood pasta though wasn’t cooked adequately, just south of al dente.

    12. Restaurant Oxbo Steak (Restaurant of Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton)

    Ul. Grada Vukovara 269A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
    +385 1 6001 914

    The “too much of a good thing can be wonderful” philosophy seems to be the general premise at Restaurant Oxbo Steak. Our dining experience here can be summed up with the in-love emoji. The food was pretty solid, bordering on mind-blowing in terms of taste and character. Much to my delight, I can still vividly remember nodding while eating, as a sign of approval. The carrot and ginger soup tasted healthy and indulgent, and the Istrian Ravioli with black truffles, cream, and proschiutto was hearty and perfectly seasoned. As for the main, their strip loin steak with vegetable puree on the side and orange and brandy demi glace was decadent. Finishing the bourbon chocolate cake and raspberry sorbet was not a problem. It was so good! We didn’t have to battle over who gets what, because everyone got his/her own share of these marvelous entrees. ♥

    All photos were taken using Fujifilm XT2 + 14mm lens.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Where to Eat: 12 Best Restaurants We Tried in the Balkans” description=”This post lists the top 12 best restaurants we tried in the Balkans in April 2017. The restaurant visits were prearranged and booked by Mulan Travel Service Corp. in the Philippines.” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-05-26″ ]

  • Review of Le Petit Soufflé (Century City Mall, Poblacion, Makati City)

    Review of Le Petit Soufflé (Century City Mall, Poblacion, Makati City)

    In celebration of Father’s Day this year, we had lunch at one of the most talked-about restaurants in Century City Mall when it comes to interior design and creative food. Eating at Le Petit Soufflé is a high-drama opportunity since there’s always a long queue and we don’t get to always see an indoor garden-themed restaurant featuring cozy seats, greenery, and bright lights that are a treat for the eyes. Dining here is worth it for the right occasion and with the right people interested in soufflé and a French-Japanese menu that’s a little different…different good. 😛

    Review of Le Petit Soufflé (Century City Mall, Poblacion, Makati City)

    Ambiance:

    The trendy Le Petit Soufflé has an awesome ambiance complete with beautiful light bulbs, faux trees with rolling pins hanging as decorations, attractive walls, interesting panels, and yellow chairs—all the makings of a superb restaurant interior. It’s definitely a vivid space where every corner is Instagram-worthy. The greens bring a sense of nature inside the restaurant, making customers feel almost a world away from the bustle of the city. Pretty charming! 🙂

    Le Petit Soufflé has a good mix of spacious and intimate with a real casual feel. Instead of dividing the room with walls, it signifies zones through transitions in the table-and-chair setup so it looks organized and warm without being too packed or crowded.

    Service:

    The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, so take their advice if you’re unsure of what to order. Despite the busyness of the restaurant at lunch hour, service remained efficient and attentive. I thought this is one of the factors that contribute to the success of the restaurant and make every experience positive for diners.

    Food:

    The waitress suggested getting the Japanese Beef Curry Soufflé (PhP 525), and we’re happy she did. It took 15-20 minutes for it to be served but we we’re willing to wait.  The dish consisted of savory cheese soufflé filled with fine strips of US beef short plate and Japanese short grain rice with Japanese curry sauce. It’s nothing like the Japanese curry rice of other more straightforward curry restaurants such as Coco Ichibanya, Curry Bee, or Eri Curry. The taste of curry was subtle and so pleasingly fragrant. Cheese gave it a boost in flavor.

    Another main entree we tried was the Squid Ink Rice (PhP 395) which was made with a combination of fresh seafood, shimeji, mushroom, and scrambled egg on delicious squid ink rice. The soft scrambled egg was so fluffy but firm enough. What I love most about this black rice is its refined iodized flavor. What I hate most, on the flip side, is that there’s no way to enjoy it without black-stained lips. Don’t forget to wipe your mouth with tissue. 😉

    For my dad, the shoyu-based Vegetarian Soba Pasta (PhP 325) had an earthy taste that’s unique, one you won’t get tired of eating. Cooked with shimeji, zucchini, eggplant, and bell pepper, it’s like the Japanese version of spaghetti.

    Chef Miko Aspiras’ signature dessert, the Valrhona Grand Crus (PhP 375), was nothing short of spectacular. Formed with layers of decadent Valrhona chocolate (Araguani 72% flourless cake, Caramelia 36% flourless cake, Dulcey 32% ganache, and Equatoriale 55% ganache), the heavenly blocks of chocolate were served with a vanille creme anglaise sauce.

    Honestly, I didn’t have a slightest clue on what Valrhona chocolates are. I just learned now that Valrhona produces the world’s finest gourmet chocolates. OMG. No wonder why it tasted so good! The chocolate has a bitter base with strong liquorice, raisin and chestnut notes and the use of brown sugar. The texture is like silk for your tongue, as different in texture compared to Hershey’s as fine silk is to a burlap bag for your fingers. Please, try it! 🙂

    Quite a show-stealer as well, the Strawberry Lychee Parfait (PhP 195) had a nice presentation with colorful display of ingredients composed of the highlights: strawberry, lychee, and matcha. This treat is so refreshing and addicting. 🙂 The parfait was made with vanilla and matcha custard base, softee swirl with almond dacquiose, fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, lychee and matcha jelly, matcha mochi and matcha powder. There’s a lot going on; the key is to get a little bit of everything involved in each bite.

    Price for Value:

    There are days when you just want to have a peaceful time and enjoy unusual and interesting choices of food. Let Le Petit Soufflé be your antidote. Prices may cause pain to the wallet but they offer high value. The menu is simple with a few pages, but the execution of the food is so good that seemingly simple ingredients will wow you in ways you didn’t think they could. We had a great time!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Lepetitsouffle/?fref=ts” name=”Le Petit Soufflé” description=”3F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 8863056, (02) 7185681″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-06-28″ ]

  • Review of Café Ysabel (Addition Hills, San Juan City)

    Review of Café Ysabel (Addition Hills, San Juan City)

    Louie chose to celebrate his birthday at Café Ysabel last weekend. We were so happy to have finally tried food cooked and prepared by San Juan’s “best-kept secret” restaurant. 🙂 Lauded as a neighborhood bistro where guests can walk in to have their morning cup of coffee, a quiet lunch, or dinner with family and friends, Café Ysabel has really gone a long way satisfying customers for over thirty years now.

    Café Ysabel has become a San Juan foodie mecca for visiting tourists who are taken by their expatriate friends in Manila. Its menu is quite coherent, featuring classic comfort food favorites of Filipino cuisine plus some European dishes also thrown into the mix, which is not surprising given Chef Gene’s background. The result is interesting and delicious but not trying too hard.

    Review of Café Ysabel (Addition Hills, San Juan City)

    Ambiance:

    Housed in a refurbished 1927 ancestral home, Café Ysabel looked impressive with a rustic vibe, artsy-decorated ceiling, collections of china, glassware and silverware, and period furniture. The dim-lit ambiance was intimate and the space felt special without being pretentious. Colors everywhere were awe-inspiring. With the interior design, you can probably look back and imagine Manila’s bygone era of sophistication and culture. If you’re looking to have a special dinner to impress people or take someone out on a date, this is the place. Hey, we even witnessed a marriage proposal here that night! Sweet. 🙂

    Service:

    Food were served in a timely manner and with a heightened level of care. Service was downright friendly and on point, attentive but not overbearing. This is one of the restaurants where you can feel welcome and comfortable, just like visiting a relative’s home.

    Food:

    Fried Mozzarella in Anchovy Dressing (PhP 198) for appetizer was fine but not upstanding. The anchovy on top brought a certain deep oceanic savoriness out of the almost tasteless cheese. Tender, stretchy and not stiff, the mozzarella was enveloped with coating that’s slightly thicker than the standard breading we have tried in other restaurants. It was nice though that the coating did not overpower the cheese or border on “batter-like.”

    Ordering Café Ysabel’s Paella Sulipena (PhP 578) was absolutely best. Made with classic saffron rice, this paella contained a vibrant mix of seafood and mixed meats coming also into play. Seasoning tasted great and the dish was assembled with tender grains of rice which soaked up the saffron flavor very well. Arriving in a healthy portion, it’s a delicious and filling meal for two (or maybe three).

    As if carbs from paella wasn’t enough, we had Polly’s Pasta (PhP 348) which turned out as silky spaghetti noodles coated in briny, garlicky flavor studded with grilled white cheese, Calumpit sausage, kalamata olives and basil. The combination of the ingredients just hit all the right notes. We added a touch of lemon zest which imparted sort of a discordant sourness but nevertheless worked so well in making the simple taste even more sublime.

    Price for Value:

    A must-try in San Juan area, Café Ysabel is truly a gem. With dishes that are built to please and food that personify elegance, expect to pay a premium price but one that can make your visit worth it for any celebratory occasion. Warm service and the romantic atmosphere also add up to a great fine-dining experience. Reservations are highly recommended.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/cafeysabelphilippines/” name=”Café Ysabel” description=”455 P. Guevarra Street, Addition Hills, San Juan City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 2469069 ext:114″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-06-11″ ]

  • Review of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge (Katipunan, Quezon City)

    Review of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge (Katipunan, Quezon City)

    There’s over a hundred restaurants in Metro Manila that serve fusion cuisine. About half or more may have similar things on the menu, and at least a dozen of them are being run by chefs who have trained at prestigious dining establishments. Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge in Katipunan, Quezon City is all of these things, but it’s also pretty different. And more importantly, it’s really, really good.

    Starting out as one of “Manila’s Best Kep Restaurant Secrets,” Ninyo has now become a gem of a dining haven for people looking to escape into a cozy, intimate, and relaxing setting. It’s popular as a venue where momentous occasions (such as marriage proposals and birthdays) are being held. Louie and I celebrated our seventh-year anniversary here last May 1 (Labor Day). He made a reservation a week before and got us seats in the al fresco setting, which is absolutely perfect for a romantic date. 🙂

    Review of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge (Katipunan, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    If you’re expecting ornamental embroidery, wooden chandeliers, minimalist-looking table lamps and rose petals scattered beautifully everywhere, there’s definitely something for you in Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge. The environment looks very homey, and this is mainly because Ninyo was the Laus’ family’s 50-year-old house that was transformed into a restaurant in 2006 in fulfillment of Chef Nino’s lifelong dream of having a restaurant he can call his own.

    At Ninyo, you can enjoy the garden view at the al fresco area or stay cozy indoors in the first or second floor. This reminded me most of The Sugar Palm in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Both give an impression of a secret garden with an inviting appeal.

    My eyes feasted on the charming setup of candlelight dinner served in the private gazebos, with rocks, plants, and wooden accents on the side. Waterfalls, the fountain, and the koi fish pond are creative additions that make a tranquil space. Light music was played in the background to enhance the mood. It’s summer now in the Philippines but it’s nice that weather that night wasn’t too sweltering hot.

    Also part of the scenery are the love locks displayed at the front part of the garden. Several couples have immortalized their love with their names written on the padlocks. It’s cheesy and adorable. Love it! 🙂

    Service:

    The wait staff was warm, attentive, and receptive. He offered wonderful yet simple service and took care of requests with ease. I liked that the dishes were served in a relaxed pace but not frustratingly slow, just so we could have enough time to talk and enjoy the night while eating. Complimentary warm bread with butter was served at the start of the meal and in between, we were also surprised with a free spoonful of calamansi sorbet to cleanse our palate.

    Food:

    Chef Laus’ dishes are often described as inventive, adventurous, and unpredictable. He never ceases to surprise and amaze his guests with something new or unusual all the time. Food here is essentially fusion, with a heavy emphasis on Japanese and European influences. Marrying the culinary traditions of two countries that are thousands of miles apart and then offering a fresh twist to the dishes make Ninyo truly remarkable.

    We started dinner with a delicious appetizer: Salmon Belly Wasabi Tempura Roll (PhP 395). It takes a lot to impress with us with salmon, but this did the trick. It was filled with pleasant surprises with textures of all kinds! Stuffed with braised gobo and carrots, the bite-size tempura rolls were a flavor bomb of soft salmon with crispy Japanese Burdock roots. I thought wasabi on the wrap of the roll was supposed to make it spicy, but the spiciness was not felt apparent at all. In any case, I’m a fan.

    For our main course, the Grilled Chicken Balsamic Teriyaki (PhP 450) served with grilled Japanese rice, grilled leeks with miso, tomatoes and onion was spot on. The balsamic vinegar gave the tender chicken a great depth of tang and sweetness without being too sweet, while the shiny teriyaki glaze brought a good balance of barbecue sauce and soy sauce with sweet and salty flavors. You can’t go wrong.

    Pasta Alle Vongole (PhP 420) was sublimely simple. It consisted of linguine pasta with Manila clams sautéed in garlic and chorizo deglazed with sake. The silky noodles were coated in briny, garlicky flavor from the sauce and studded with tender morsels of the clam itself. The portion is good for sharing.

    When asked what’s the most recommended dessert, the waiter suggested Chocolate! Chocolate! Cake (PhP 295) and Mango Pavlova (PhP 245). We got the latter. It was a meringue dessert, crispy on the outside but light and fluffy inside, topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh mango slices. I went to the restroom before the plate landed on the table, so I was surprised that it had a greeting on it. Thank you very much, Louie! 🙂

    Price for Value:

    Looking for a fancy date spot in Quezon City? Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge won’t disappoint. This is the place to be, if you want to try a mix of Asian and European cuisine. Prices may be quite a splurge, but food came out awesome, and ambiance and service were exemplary. I promise it will be worth it. Double or group dating with a bunch of friends is not a bad idea either. 😉

    [schema type=”review” name=”Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge” description=”66 Esteban Abada St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +6324260301/+639175385813″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-05-05″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Monday 6:00pm – 1:30am
    Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am – 2:pm, 6:00pm – 1:30am
    Sunday 11:00 am – 2:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00 pm