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Category: Fine Dining

  • Review of Stoned Steaks (Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City)

    Review of Stoned Steaks (Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City)

    Steakhouses are usually the go-to restaurants for any kind of major celebration. Eastwood, Libis has just a few selections. Top of mind “steak restaurants” include The House of Wagyu, Outback Steakhouse, and Stoned Steaks. For our team’s Christmas dinner, I decided to have a group meal at Stoned Steaks despite it having low ratings online (TripAdvisor, Zomato, blogs, etc.) I wanted to know how true the reviews really were and if we’d be surprised to find out otherwise and prove them wrong.

    Review of Stoned Steaks (Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Stoned Steaks consists of a longish gallery dining room (where we were seated) and the al fresco dining area. Total groups of guests that can be seated would be around 5-6. Dark panels adorning the walls and a bar showcasing bottles of wine complete a warm and inviting vibe, while the whole scene was perhaps a bit ostentatious when looking from the outside.

    It’s quite a modern, small and intimate spot for a fancy night out, with some more elaborate touches you want in a classy steakhouse. That said, it takes about ten seconds inside Stoned Steaks before you realize that it’s one of the few slightly upscale restaurants in Eastwood, or at the very least, one that definitely looks and acts the part.

    Service:

    Reservation was easily made through Instagram and confirmed via sms. Staff were responsive but not too friendly or accommodating. There was a little hiccup on attitude at the end but was already apologized for after calling it out. Overall, service here just didn’t live up to the elegance of the place or stand up to the luxurious tab.

    Food:

    At first glance, the menu reads like a steakhouse Hall of Fame induction ceremony. There are several pages that consist only of the different grades and cuts of steak with prices that can naturally induce gasps of wonderment.

    As for the steak, the lava stone made the experience unique, as it had heat that can cook the steak at your own pace. We asked for the steak to be sliced into bite-sized portions as soon as it was cooked perfectly to our liking. The dish made a strong impression to start and the presentation set expectations high from the get-go. Taste and texture were decent but nothing astronomically delicious. It had a good sear and char and was balanced but no “melt-in-your-mouth sensation” which was kinda disappointing. There wasn’t a huge amount of flavor, but you can just taste the natural flavor of meat. Anyway, sauces and condiments helped.

    Do you really order other things than steak here? We did. In fact, I enjoyed Seafood Jambalaya (PhP 425) the most, and it was the first thing that hit the table after the complimentary bread. It’s basically rice mixed with different seafoods like clams, mussels, and shrimps. Serving size is good for about 2-3 people to share.

    Wagyu Salpicao (PhP 450) could definitely work as an entree. Pair it with the fragrant and aromatic Steak Fried Rice (PhP 130) to elevate the taste of beef more. Grilled Tanigue (PhP 625) and Wagyu Lasagna (PhP 390) were okay but not good enough reasons to come to Stoned Steaks.

    Price for Value:

    They had a promotion on their steaks which slashed off 50% from the original price. If not for the discount, value for money wouldn’t be as fair as you’d like. Stoned Steaks is a cheaper alternative to House of Wagyu and cooking the steak on a hot stone added to the creativity which elevated the dining experience, but other than that, it would be better to eat and spend your money on a celebratory dinner some place else.

  • Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Spiral has always belonged to the top 5 answers my friends say when asked about their most favorite buffet restaurants in Philippine hotels. For years, I have been aspiring to come back and re-experience a “gastronomic voyage nonpareil.” My first time at Spiral in Sofitel Philippine Plaza might have been a decade ago, so I thought spending our wedding anniversaries here with my family would be an epic moment.

    Last March 26, we celebrated our second wedding anniversary, and my parents’ had theirs last February. We agreed to have lunch last Saturday in this multi-awarded dining destination. I didn’t plan on eating breakfast on the day to prepare for the sumptuous spread, but since I woke up early, I had to give in and had a light meal. 😉 Thankfully, my appetite hasn’t waned and I still came with a hungry stomach.

    Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Ambiance:

    A Sofitel flagship, Spiral presents a bewildering array of choices with different cuisines available. The setting is quite modern and cozy, with an intimate and classy vibe and accommodation capacity is huge. This excellent buffet restaurant is divided into 21 dining ateliers. It features lustrous white marbles and glowing glass counters, where guests can watch how chefs masterfully prepare food right in front rather than in the back kitchen. At prime times, lines can go on forever, especially for tempura and ice cream, so remember to get there early.

    Food:

    At first glance, you’ll have a hard time choosing which station to hit first, but the good thing is that you can try all of them like we did. 🙂 While there’s a ton of dishes, I must say none was particularly outstanding and it’s hard to pick one or even a few favorites. I suggest planning ahead to choose your best bets and get your time and money’s worth. 😉

    Here are some suggestions:

    First Round: Appetizers. For starters, make your way to the 1. Salad and Appetizer and grab some fresh locally grown produce and organic colorful vegetables. Next, head out to 2. L’Epicerie, where meat and cheese lovers would discover heaven. Feast on a wide variety of premium aged hams, charcuterie, smoked fish, artisanal cheese from France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Pair them with olives, herbs, sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, sauces and condiments for an outstanding gourmet experience.

    Second Round: Japanese and Pizza. Love tempura but hate waiting? Get to 2. Hot Japanese quickly so you can be one of the first in the queue for ebi tempura, if you’re into it. 😉 Here, you can also enjoy a selection of traditional grilled seafood, meat and vegetables cooked at the robata or at the teppanyaki. Before returning to your table, take a few pieces of fresh sushi, sashimi, temaki, or nigiri from the 4. Sushi Sashimi Station, or try a slice or two of traditional wood-fired oven pizza at the 5. Wood Fired Oven.

    Third Round: Chinese Food. Travel to the Chinese counters and delight your senses with 6. Asian Noodles drenched in your choice of broth, sauce, soup stock, and condiments. You may wait for noodles to boil and cook, or request delivery to your table. If you choose to wait, just beside is the 7. Peking Duck Oven. Taste the perfection of roasted Peking Duck. Take another few steps and you’ll find the 8. Chinese Wok station and choose from a selection of Wok cooked Chinese dishes reflecting all parts of China whether Cantonese, Hunan, Sichuan or regional. End your Chinese food trip with 9. Steam Baskets and savor authentic steam and fried dim sum such as hakaw, siomai, wonton, and spare ribs.

    Fourth Round: Various Asian. Continue chowing down on Asian food. Visit the 10. Korean food bar for sizzling plates and freshly tossed vegetables. We tried their kimchi, bulgogi, squid chili barbecue, and other banchan. Adjacent to Korean is the 11. Thai food station where you can find fiery flavors of soups and curries. Next up, 12. Filipino food. Satisfy your palates with a delectable array of traditional Filipino dishes like beef tapa, adobo, kare-kare, and crispy pata.

    Fifth Round: Meat and Seafood. When it comes to meaty entrees, you can peruse the 13. Rotisserie station with rich portions of meat and poultry, such as roasted chicken, slow cooked lamb, beef, and pork seasoned with assorted herbs and spices. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try tandoori-spiced meats with Indian and Asian bread and sauces at the 14. North Indian food bar. Get your share of naan and tandoori as well. Love surf and turf? Balance meat with a helping of seafood. 15. Churrasco offers juicy skewered seafood, while 16. French Stove has grilled seafood.

    Fifth and Final Round: Desserts. Sweet endings are the perfect way to conclude a memorable dining experience. Succumb to the temptation of freshly baked French pastries of all shapes, fillings, textures and sizes at 16. La Patisserie. Craving for chocolate? Don’t miss the 17. Chocolaterie and indulge in artisanal chocolate, truffles and pralines. One bite of these will surely make you euphoric with its intense flavors and colors. To top it all, finish your meal with ice cream. 18. Creamery offers different ice cream flavors that are both fruity (mango, strawberry), and citrus (calamansi) along with coffee, chocolate, and ube. You can also request for a crepe topped with a scoop of ice cream.

    Note: I don’t have photos of food per station up close because one of the waiters came up to me when he saw me shooting with my camera. He said only shooting with a phone camera is allowed. I didn’t understand the logic behind so I asked why. He turned his back and walked away. Snotty behavior or he really just didn’t hear me? I asked the second time but he ignored me and didn’t seem to bother. Oh well.

    Price for Value:

    SPIRAL at Sofitel Philippine Plaza isn’t just one of the most buzzed-about hotel buffet restaurants — it also offers one of the best and most lavish food selections. It’s not known as Asia’s grandest buffet for nothing! So while you’re here, make the most out of your visit and eat to your heart’s desire.

    SPIRAL Manila’s rate per person is originally priced at PhP 2,750 for Mondays to Saturdays lunch buffet, but since I purchased through MetroDeal, I got a 27% discount and paid PhP 1,999 per head instead. Price is still expensive but it’s as expected of an indulgent experience. This buffet restaurant can pretty much satisfy any craving. Once you hit the dessert station afterward, you’ll just have to roll home. Food coma!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.spiralmanila.com/” name=”Spiral Manila” description=”Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”For booking and reservation, contact +632 8326988 or email H6308-FB12@sofitel.com” author=”Rochkirstin Sioco” pubdate=”2019-04-02″ user_review=”3.7″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Steak77 (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Review of Steak77 (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, we went to Steak77 for our date night. This restaurant near the Tomas Morato Circle looked really cozy and elegant. It specializes in premiere steak such as US Angus Fillet Mignon, Tomahawk, Kagoshima Wagyu A5 Ribeye. The question is: Is it a must-visit prime cut destination?

    Review of Steak77 (Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    Steak77 is a trendy steakhouse where you can wear your extra tight tuxedo shirt. The tables are topped with white linen cloths, and the setting is quite dark with an intimate vibe, yet it didn’t feel stuffy. This date-night spot pretty much exudes power, glamour, and romance. We enjoyed the smooth classical instrumental music playlist on the background and appreciated the quietness as well; we were the only customers at the time of visit, so it felt like we had the entire place reserved for us alone.

    Service:

    Service was prompt and attentive. My only gripe was that we weren’t informed beforehand that they don’t accept credit cards as payment for steak. :O We were surprised when they told us about this policy only when the bill came. Albeit the mishap, I give points to the waiter who was patient enough to take our photos repeatedly until we got a nice shot. The place was dim so we had difficulty adjusting the right camera shutter speed and ISO settings. The waiter was also apologetic when he informed us that the dish we initially wanted (risotto) was unavailable.

    Food:

    We had one piece each of their complimentary bread, which we paired with the French Onion Soup (PhP 290). While so many versions of the French Onion Soup taste like a cup of burnt-onion tea with melted cheese trying its best to cover up the flaws, this one was really nice and flavorful. Its broth had a base of rich beef and onion topped with crostini, mozzarella and toasted brown. Each spoonful was a mix of melted cheese, broth, tender onions, and bread. Love it!

    Two types of US Angus Prime Ribeye appeared on the menu: Classic and Steak77. When asked, the waiter said that the difference lies in the marinade. The class US angus prime ribeye was seasoned only with salt and pepper, while the Steak77 was made with their in-house special blend of sauces. So we ordered the latter without hesitation.

    The price on the menu was PhP 725 for 100g, but in reality, this steak is only available per 320g serving, which means we should multiply the cost by 3.2 to get the real price. It was confusing and misleading so I suggest that they include this information on the menu once and for all.

    Anyway, we requested for the steak to be cooked medium well, and it was perfect. Served with side veggies and mashed potato, the slab of steak dazzled our palate; it tasted great and even better without gravy. It was juicy, tender, moist, and with nice marbling, too. We could have ordered wine to go with the steak but didn’t since I’m breastfeeding and I can’t take anything with alcohol.

    Price for Value:

    We had high hopes and were pretty satisfied with the tastes of both food we had. The portions of the dishes were also enough to share for us two. But was the PhP 2,320-steak really worth it? Oh boy, the price tag attached to it was a head scratcher. I thought it was too much for that one piece and we could have scored a good-quality steak in another restaurant at half the price.

    My key takeaway: When in Steak77, prepare to dine on a “higher plane.” The serene ambiance in a luxurious setting may well justify the sky-high tab, so for a dream-come-true meal, it’s as good as it gets. Caution: It’s not for the weak of wallet.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Steak77, Tomas Morato, Quezon City” description=”66 Timog Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For more information, contact (02) 282 5522″ author=”Rochkirstin Sioco” pubdate=”2019-02-14″ user_review=”3.8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Nobu Restaurant is the world’s most recognized Japanese restaurant, known for its innovative new-style cuisine, paired with a hip crowd and celebrity following. We had a Sunday brunch here last month and were wowed by the extravagant buffet spread of sashimi and fusion sushi dishes. Everything was spectacular and a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Like Chef’s Nobu’s other restaurants, the food at Nobu (in City of Dreams Manila) follows in the tradition of Japanese cuisine with Peruvian and local flavors mixed in.

    Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Ambiance:

    Elegant and calm surroundings make an incomparable backdrop for the exquisite view at Nobu Restaurant. The setup is buffet, fine dining with counters presenting food and showing how chefs prepare and serve the dishes. Wide open spaces of the lounge area are matched with some intimate booths at the sides.

    Food:

    You think you have to choose among freshly made Japanese sushi, sashimi rolls, yakitori, grilled seafood, but life is never this hard. Of course you get all! The Nobu Sunday Brunch is a well-curated buffet where you get cold dishes, hot dishes, grilled food from the kushiyaki station, crispy pork belly at the carving station, bread and lavish desserts.

    I was super hungry when we came in, and the first things that greeted our gaze were the Nobu Sushi and Sashimi. I filled my plate up with Salmon Karashi Su Miso, Cup Sushi, Tuna Tataki with Matsuhisa Dressing, Shima Aji Jalapeno, House Special Roll, Oshizushi, Salmon Skin Roll, Crispy Spicy Tuna Roll, New Style Sashimi, and Chirashi—basically every starter that pleased my eyes. 😛

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BtaK-5olKMY/

    Next, we turned to the hot items and thoroughly enjoyed a mix of cooked seafood, vegetables, and meat as well. You can’t go wrong with: Shrimp Wasabi Pepper, Umami Chicken, Salmon Honey Soy Glazed, Beef Gyudon,  Kabocha with Quinoa Salad, Seafood Udon, Okonomiyaki, Miso Soup, and a steaming portion of Japanese Rice.

    But the highlight of mains for us had to be the kushiyaki station, where a chef grilled skewers of beef, pork, chicken, salmon, chicken skin, baby octopus, nasu, shiitake mushroom, leeks, squid, wagyu beef, eggplant, and more—to be paired with a choice of wasabi pepper, terriyaki, or anticucho.

    Just beside it was the carving station. We had an ample serving of the porchetta and vegetable fried rice.

    Seafoods like crabs, shrimps, lobsters, oysters, and mussels can be grilled by request. The grilled scallops and oysters tasted exemplary.

    Lastly, at the dessert section, there’s a wide selection of bread, pastries, and cakes, plus a matcha white ganache chocolate fountain, for dipping strawberries and brownies. We were all smitten with the sweet treats, but of all desserts (there’s a lot), the green tea, mango, vanilla, and raspberry sorbet stood out most. Runner-ups were the eclairs (vanilla, coffee, chocolate) and the baked a la minute (oven-based warm chocolate cake with green tea ice cream). #foodcoma

    For drinks, we had lychee and cucumber mocktails. The natural flavors worked together in wonderful harmony.

    Price for Value:

    Offered at PhP 2900, the Nobu Sunday Brunch Buffet is available every Sunday, from 11:30am to 3pm. It’s inclusive of all food, sodas, juices, mocktails, coffee and tea. Alternatively, diners may choose to have the brunch with free flowing Moet & Chandon, a selection of Champagne cocktails, Bloody Marys, Mojitos, wines and beer, at P4,500++. Surely, the steep tab is not for the timid but the consistent level of taste and service makes you feel special.

    No doubt, Nobu Restaurant in Nobu Hotel Manila stays true to its reputation for delivering great food. It is a recommended place to celebrate any special occasion or whenever you want to pig out and make sure all the calories will be worth it. The luxurious ambiance with a “sweep you into another world” feel, exemplary staff, and super delicious Japanese food justify the cost. Each bite provided interesting and unique flavors. It will be an expensive meal, but it is a perfect spot for those who regularly enjoy sushi and seafood.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.noburestaurants.com/manila” name=”Nobu Restaurant” description=”Level 1, Nobu Hotel Manila, City of Dreams Manila, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque” rev_body=”For reservations, contact 800-8080 (24 hours), 691-2882, 691-2885 or email noburestaurant@cod-manila.com” author=”Roch Sioco” pubdate=”2019-02-03″ user_review=”4.8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Galileo Enoteca (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City)

    Review of Galileo Enoteca (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City)

    In celebration of Louie’s 30th birthday last Wednesday, we had dinner in Galileo Enoteca, the first restaurant that came to his mind after a long day at work. “Galileo Enoteca Deli” literally means Library of Wines. He had been wanting us to try and experience dining in their uniquely decorated wine cellar style dining rooms, where the walls are covered with bottles of high quality wines. We heard that this restaurant in Highway Hills does great food, in a cozy space, and they treat you like you’re a lot more important than you are. If you’re in need of a place to take someone special, set your course here.

    Review of Galileo Enoteca (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City)

    Ambiance:

    Galileo Enoteca Deli and Restaurant looks like a production. One glance and you’ll know for sure that it specializes in wines, cheese, assorted cold cuts and meat, and antipasti boards. It’s a classy hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant with a sophisticated vibe. The lighting is dim, setting the mood up for intimate dining, where events like Valentine’s Day, a first date, an important anniversary, or a proposal would be perfectly spent. There’s quite a number of communal tables for larger groups, too.

    Food:

    For our starter, we warmed up with the hearty and healthy tomato-based Classic Minestrone Soup (PhP 290) made with fresh vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. This soup was filling and it had robust layers of flavors, making each spoonful enjoyable and comforting at the same time. The complimentary bread was served warm and freshly baked. Yum!

    Vincenzo’s Cotoletta Alla Milanese (PhP 490) looked too foreign on the menu, but it turned out to be a familiar dish that’s remarkably good. It’s chicken cutlet dredged in bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy dish to love! Imagine a flavor and texture festival that blends crispness and juiciness, and you got it. Fries and salad on the side were also tasty.

    A seemingly gourmet dish, the Risotto ai Funghi Porcini (PhP 440) consisted of lush and creamy arborio rice matched in heaven with an earthy flavor of porcini mushrom and an incredible pungent aroma of truffle oil. It was toothsome, exquisite, and almost intoxicating. If you’re a fan of truffle, please do give it a try! Consider sharing it, though. 😉

    Price for Value:

    Galileo Enoteca Deli and Restaurant is your best bet when in the mood for elegant dining, Italian wines and delicacies. Prices are beyond moderate but the delightful food, beautiful setting, and attentive service make the experience well worth it, especially for a special occasion. Galileo Enoteca has Wine Wednesdays, when you can get all wine bottles for half the price with a purchase of their Cheese Buffet or any entree. This deal makes it a great place to get a little tipsy, too!

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://galileoenoteca.ph/” name=”Galileo Enoteca” description=”80 Calbayog Corner Malinao Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City” rev_body=”For inquiries, call 532.04.82 or 534.46.33″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-06-10″ user_review=”4.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Flavors Restaurant (Holiday Inn and Suites Makati)

    Review of Flavors Restaurant (Holiday Inn and Suites Makati)

    We have visited Glorietta countless of times, but it was my first time to come across Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. I was actually surprised to learn that it’s conveniently located in the Glorietta Shopping Complex and has a direct connection to the mall. It was my sister’s 25 birthday last Sunday and we celebrated the occasion having lunch at Flavors Restaurant that’s housed at the hotel’s lobby level.

    Review of Flavors Restaurant (Holiday Inn and Suites Makati)

    Ambiance:

    The restaurant design looks posh and sleek, much like what’s expected of it as one housed in a hotel in Makati. The ambiance felt cozy and merry, with Nutcracker Christmas-themed decors throughout the space. It’s a good way to make guests feel the mood of the festive holiday season, the kind that people wouldn’t want to walk past without wishing they were inside. Indulge in a feast for all your sense at Flavors. It’s a casual dining experience with a fine dining sensibility.

    Service:

    Flavors Restaurant may be formal and elegant, but the service did not seem overly stuffy. You can expect to have a refined and proper experience without feeling uncomfortable like you can’t sit back and relax. The waitstaff were courteous and helpful, rated 5-star for a 5-star Makati hotel. They also sang a happy birthday song for my sister! 🙂

    Food:

    We were wowed with an extensive spread of the premium classics (including lechon, roast beef, crabs, shrimps, and mussels), food stations artfully presented with hearty selections of meat, seafood and vegetables, and separate dessert tables for make-your-own halo-halo, chocolate fountain, cakes, bread and pastries, and fruits.

    While there’s no particular dish that blew us away, there were certain ones that are on the borderline of great. International and local favorites and vegetarian options are available. Succinct to say, Flavors is a safe bet when you’re looking for a buffet restaurant delivering quality all-you-can-eat food with a variety of delightful choices. Feel free to get messy here – it’s the best way to enjoy the food.

    Price for Value:

    Makati is flush with expensive and highly rated dining spots, and Flavors Restaurant at Holiday Inn & Suites is no different. It hits the spot for any special occasion or family event. Rates are pretty fancy (P1900++/head) but definitely worth it. Especially in this holiday season, it’s the perfect time of the year to impress your loved ones with your refined palate and exquisite choice. We availed of BDO’s promo and got 50% off the bill! Promo period runs from November 1, 2017 to February 15, 2018. Check this link out for reference.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/HolidayInnMakati/” name=”Flavors Restaurant – Holiday Inn & Suites Makati” description=”Holiday Inn & Suites Makati opened on April 1, 2013 and is the first purpose-built Holiday Inn property in the Philippines. Flavors is located at the lobby level. Address is Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati.” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 909 0888″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-11-30″ user_review=”4.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet (The Manila Hotel, Manila)

    Review of Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet (The Manila Hotel, Manila)

    In celebration of Father’s Day this year, we had lunch at Mabuhay Palace and dug into plates after plates of dimsum. Hakaw, siomai, congee, dumplings…you know it. We saw this restaurant the last time we went to The Manila Hotel (read Review of Café Ilang-Ilang). We were all enticed with their dimsum buffet offering (only at Php 888 net per head) and promised to try it in our next visit to experience “the most luxurious Chinese dining in the city.”

    We’re happy that this restaurant also offers a la carte dishes including vegetarian (for my dad). Mabuhay Palace’s quality of food is good and its consistency is tough to dispute. With its lavish menu of authentic Cantonese cuisine, there’s 100% your palate will be delighted. It’s one of the best we had so far. Come hungry, and you won’t leave disappointed. 🙂

    Review of Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet (The Manila Hotel, Manila)

    Ambiance:

    Mabuhay Palace is decorated with imperial Neo-Classical interiors highlighted by rich hues of bright red, orange, and gold, with chinoiserie carved Chinese dividers. Panels are padded with dragon-pattern fabric and glass that you surely won’t miss right off from the entrance. The walls are adorned with hand-crafted panels made of jade and precious stones, which narrate the tale of the philosopher Confucius, opulent art works that took a family of artisans two decades to complete. The dining room felt cozy and the seats were comfortable. Each table will make you feel like you’re own private space.

    Service:

    The staff were warm and professional. Orders were quickly noted, but it took some time before food arrives on the table since they’re prepared and cooked only upon order. Main courses will only be served after finishing all dimsum entrees. We had to request for them to be presented at the same time alongside other items. Service was not perfect and there were items we ordered but didn’t get. Despite the service hiccup, we had an awesome meal. We received a sincere apology and some free drinks in return.

    Food:

    Unlike regular buffet setup where people queue at the buffet stations and get food from the counters, in Mabuhay Palace, patrons order food from the waiters while seated by ticking items on a checklist. It’s simple: just let the food come to you. There’s no need to wait in line or consider the movement (or appetite) of other people in the restaurant or select dimsum entrees stacked high with bamboo or metal steamer baskets from steam table trolleys as in a typical Chinese restaurant. Rather, it’s more of a formal dining encounter where guests just have to sit, relax, and enjoy food served on the table.

    Dimsum is the ancient Chinese art of making a whole lot of damn fine food, served small plate-style. Why settle on one dish when you can sample dozens? To make the most out of our dimsum buffet experience, we tried everything that’s available on the dimsum menu checklist: steamed pork and shrimp siomai, vegetable and chicken spring rolls, steamed seafood spinach dumpling, no mai gai (deep-fried glutinous rice dumplings with black pepper chicken and leeks), ma lai gao (steamed cup buns), seafood taro puff, seafood nori roll, deep-fried wonton, ham sui guk (baked pork barbecued puff), steamed buns chocolate and walnut, steamed crystal skin shrimp dumpling (hakaw), steamed pork and shrimp dumpling with zhen jiang vinegar sauce pan-fried pork and shrimp dumpling, pan-fried me chai and dong po pork buns, volcano buns, and mushroom bun.

    Aside from dimsum, cold cuts are also part of the all-you-can-eat menu. We had century egg seaweeds and golden fried crispy smooth tofu. For the main course, each person is allowed to choose one. My mom, sister, and I ended up choosing: crispy-fried shrimp glazed almonds, honey-glazed chicken, crispy ginger, and crispy fried pork spareribs. We could have ordered another main course (for my grandfather) but we were already too full to finish everything! While waiting for the mains, we were served with sweet corn coup with crab meat and Zzechuan hot and sour soup. For desserts, we had deep-fried chocolate buchi, blueberry jelly, and red bean jelly.

    Everything was excellent and we were so impressed. This must be the gold standard of dimsum restaurants in Manila. If I were to choose my favorite, it would still be hakaw. It’s the best. Fresh, juicy shrimps encased in a transparent dumpling wrapper looked and tasted amazing! Yum. 🙂

    Price for Value:

    Mabuhay Palace at The Manila Hotel is an elegant restaurant where nobody’s trying to flip tables or rush you out the door. It’s ideal for big group dinners or luncheons, with easy-to-share dimsum for everyone at a relatively fair price. If you’re into Chinese food, it’s hard to go wrong spending a special occasion here. Look forward to a whole table full of plates crammed with dumplings, steamed buns, and Chinese pastries. Go with people with a large appetite and make a reservation by calling (02) 527 0011. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TheManilaHotel/” name=”Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet” description=”The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila 0913″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-07-01″ user_review=”5″ 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″ ]