Rain poured incessantly from mid-afternoon to about 9PM last Friday. Traffic along Buendia and Ayala Avenue to The Fort was really bad. So the unfortunate thing happened: I did not make it in time for the highlight of food entrees prepared for us by Chelsea Grand Café in Serendra. Instead, I joined the bloggers and moved to desserts quickly as I arrived at the venue. This was better than missing out on Chelsea’s great bites on the whole. 🙂
Review of Chelsea Grand Café (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City)
Ambiance: ★★★★★
Whenever I go to Serendra, I have a habit of checking out the restaurants from the outside to have a “window-shopping” view of those chic hot spots. And boy, there are always things happening in Chelsea Grand Café. This place is hardly empty and it looks like a beehive of glam-up people meeting and dining to enjoy its bright and inviting interiors.
The name “Chelsea” was inspired by the Chelsea Market in New York. I’m not sure if the ambiance also has a semblance, but I can assure that the ambiance here in Chelsea Grand Café is laid-back, casual and light. Various food items for sale are displayed on the divider in the middle of the dining area.
This restaurant grants customers privacy and welcomes them with companionship as they need it most. It is where you can complete your dining experience with a homey environment and take your time to relax after a busy day in the center of the city.
Service: ★★★★★
I have a few favorite destinations in this upscale “food court” in Serendra, BGC, Taguig, including Mamou, Balducci Ristorante and Deli, and Sentro 1771 not only because of good food but also because of great customer service. Chelsea by Raintree Restaurants is one that I can certainly add into the mix. Service provided has been sincere and friendly, not to mention quick.
Food: ★★★★★
Eating desserts first was weird but it was a good try. Why not, right? 😛 My meal started with the Chelsea Peach Melba (250). Looking gorgeous, the treat had the combination of colors which appeared as sunset in a jar. It was made with peaches wrapped with a thick layer of cream, strawberry sauce, mantecado, toasted almonds, and cookie crumble. I liked that their version of the peach melba was not too sweet. Adding hints of cinnamon and pairing it with warm buttermilk biscuits would be nice!
Over the peach melba, I preferred the Baked S’mores (PhP 275) more, which was soooo good. It had the combination of a warm brownie topped with toasted mallows, mantecado ice cream, nuts, and graham crackers. Dense and fudgy but not thin, the s’mores absolutely did not taste like an average brownie. Very filling.
I asked the waiter for the best recommended drink and he offered the Strawberry Mint (PhP 195). Every sip was refreshing. The flavors of strawberry and mint together had a delicate sweetness that was not overwhelming or sickly.
Finally, for my main course, I ordered the Char-Grilled Norwegian Salmon (PhP 595), which had salmon as its star, with salsa verde, toasted pine nuts, glazed country vegetables, olive oil and mashed potatoes on the side.
The salmon’s freshness was excellent. I loved how it was cooked and seasoned perfectly. On another note, the small squares of vegetables had a faint taste, so I didn’t understand if they were put into the same plate just for decoration.
Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆
No doubt about it—Chelsea serves food at astronomical prices! This establishment pretty much becomes attractive when feasting on some celebrations or impressing a date. Its menu features items that are all good options for any meal if you’re okay to set back at least PhP 500 per person. I consider returning for another visit to let my family also try their food but will reserve it for a momentous occasion.
group pic with bloggers
//I felt quite rushed for coming late but still thank Aldous for the invite. 😛
Chelsea will be opening Chelsea Kitchen in SM Megamall Fashion Hall soon!
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Last Friday was a real hassle! Traffic was horrible in the BGC area and Edsa and well you know the rest..Hehehehe. 😀 I always passed by Chelsea and I didn’t know they had gorgeous desserts. The melba looks enticing while the smores is a childhood favorite. 😀
Haha yeah, Chelsea was also the last thing on my mind to go for desserts. As I’ve viewed their menu that night for the first time, I was overwhelmed a bit. Everything looked good and it was really hard to order!
I’m sure you’d want to try those desserts soon. 🙂 Beautifully presented, they contained the perfect amount of sweetness.
The peach melba caught my eyes! I have a thing for desserts
The peach melba was tasty but it was not as good as the baked s’mores, really. 😛 It’s because the cream didn’t pack as much flavor as it seemed like it should.
Wow!:) I love the look of Chelsea! I’ve actually wanted to try this. I just always forget!>_< The food not only looks good, but so photogenic!:)
Chelsea has recently refreshed to “Chelsea Grand Café” from being Chelsea Market and Café. They also have an updated menu. The food are all worth for you to check out. 🙂
I always window shop restaurants too. Wow, that s’more dessert looks absolutely amazing- I would love to try it!
The s’mores dessert was on the expensive side, however it tasted very good. It wasn’t too sweet which I appreciated because I didn’t want to leave with that starchy taste in my mouth! Go ahead and try it. 🙂
I hate to be late on invited events too, makes me feel very panicky and flustered! Seems like a real nice place and the smores dessert thingy is definitely quite unique and interesting!
On top of the traffic problem, I also had encountered problem in finding a space to park my car. The lot in Serendra was full and I could not wait too long because grace period was only 20 minutes. I parked at SM Aura and had to walk back to Serenda. Luckily, I was still nicely accommodated. Food was good, too, so all the effort driving here paid off. 🙂
That’s some very unique presentation. I’ve never seen such a fancy café before!
Chelsea offers seating inside and outside if you want to stay and enjoy your treats. I will definitely be back when I’m in the Serendra BGC, and may even make special trips to bring friends here. Chelsea Grand Café has my heart. 🙂
That looks like a great place to eat. The food looks amazing.
I am pleased to say all were inhaled and all were enjoyed, and very much so. But everything was just costly. 🙁 Oh baby, I need to save up for another dinner here.
This looks like a very nice place and the food is so unique!
Yup, delicious food and friendly staff make this a fantastic place to stop in and complete a meal.
Everything looks simply delectable, especially the baked s’mores – YUM!
I’d recommend for you to take it. Let your guilty pleasures indulge. 😀
Chelsea Grand Cafe looks like a great place. The food looks cray good.
I’d like to say that I have tried a lot of main courses on the menu, but the truth is once I had the salmon, it was hard to order anything else because I had no one to share it with. I still did not get to finish the salmon and just have it packed home for my family. But yes, it was crazy good.
All the food looked really good. I would love to try the baked S’mores.
The baked s’mores was divine. I’m looking forward to trying it again–next time with my family. 😀
This cafe looks amazing, I would love to go there and try it myself.
This is a place you can pop in for a daily lunch special, bring a date, hold a small meeting, host a catch-up conversation with high school or college friends, or just sit at the comfy couch and eat up. I recommend Chelsea to anyone. Not a disappointing experience.
It all looks so good! I’m a foodie myself and love to visit these types of establishments
If it’s not raining in the daytime, I suggest you to go and sit outside as it’s a great spot for people-watching–if that’s your thing. 🙂 Inside, the decor is charming and unpretentious, as is the service.
The baked s’mores look incredibly yummy! By the way, I visit Chelsea Market in NY during the holiday season and always love it. I really would love to stop by this restaurant the next time I visit the Philippines.
Oh I would love to get to NY and see that side of the world, too. 😛
The food & drinks look really good. I love how bright it is in there and simple, not crazy colors & the shelf with all kinds of items on it, is really cool too.
The colors almost looked pastel-like, very pleasing to the eyes. 🙂
This looks like a lovely cafe.
It sure is. What’s good is that it’s not hard to find at all. Once your feet landed at Serendra, it’s easy like a Sunday morning. 😉 Stop by here once and put a pause first to your wandering.
I agree, the location is beautiful! I was liking this place until I go to the prices. No matter how much I like a place, astronomical prices are not OK for everyday, normal eating. Maybe every now and again for something fancy.
Right. This is good to try if you have something to celebrate so the prices would be worth the memorable dining experience. 🙂 Also, if you plan to dine in at Chelsea Grand Café, make sure you have a big appetite, and are ready for some favor. 😀
What a nice looking place to sit back and enjoy some great food. Will have to check this place out someday.
If you go here, you will most probably have a good time. This is one of the few places in Serendra where I actually left smiling no matter how I tired I really was already that day.
The salmon looks amazing! The lighting is really nice, I hate eating in the dark.
The salmon is a definite must-order! 🙂 The reason why I chose it among all others on the menu is that almost all the blogs I’ve visited talking about Chelsea has this item featured.
Great detailed review with good pictures to go along with it, the Baked S’more looks delicious.
Thanks, Anthony! 😀 If you’re looking for a homey, unpretentious dining experience in BGC, Chelsea Grand Café has your name written all over it. Finish your meal with the delightful baked s’mores and leave satisfied.
My brother worked at Chelsea before as an intern and I also had dinner there so I knew that food there was pretty awesome. Sayang you didn’t get to try everything. It would have been pretty worth it.
Ahhh si Kirkie? Yeah, ok lang nabusog din ako masyado with the salmon, desserts and the drink. 🙂 Plus, everything was really good so my trip to Chelsea was worth it in the end.
I assure you it’s not weird to start dining with desserts. 😀 Chelsea’s offerings, particularly Peach Melba, looked mouth-watering. I’ll check them out next time I’m in the area.
Haha yeah it was just weird for me especially when it was my first time to eat in that order. 🙂 Some would argue that the food here is their best asset and they might be right. I’d like to add “ambiance” as it also hits the cylinder.
Wow! This place looks amazing and the food looked delicious. I love brightly lit restaurants as opposed to dark ones just makes you feel better!
Same here! My only complaint, if this is allowed at all, is that they don’t have a pretty robust vegetarian menu on hand, so I am not sure what to order for Daddy in case we eat there.
Oh my goodness, everything looks so good! Especially those Baked S’mores! Perhaps someday I’ll be able to check this place out myself. 🙂
You will be happy to come out from Chelsea Grand Café for a stellar meal and a great time. 😉
Oh yes I could go for some baked smores. 😉 Everything looks great, and I’d try dessert before the meal, at least once. 🙂
Sure! I recommend the baked s’mores to anyone who is in the mood for some delicious treat. 😀
Wow, that looks like a wonderful place to eat and the food looks so good. Too bad I live so darn far away!
Aw that’s sad. Anyway, at least now you know where you would want to head on to when you’re near Taguig.
The baked smores look good. I will go past and check that place out soon.
This little pastry is perfect for those who are brave enough to dine out alone or to be shared with for a catch-up session with a group of friends.
Chelsea Grand Cafe looks a place full of fun and energy with some delicious looking food. Thanks for sharing this amazing cafe
You’re welcome, Payal. This place is cozy and very welcoming for anyone at any age. Bring your family here! 🙂
I wish places in Jersey looked as neat as this and food looked just as pretty.
I hope you will get here someday! There are lots of interesting restaraunts to try in Serendra up to High Street. The competition in this area is good. Dining at any one is a good way to get the weekend started. Feel free to stop by at Chelsea first. 🙂
Didn’t I leave a comment on this post before? I know I’ve read it… anyway, I can understand saving this outing for a special occasion because of the high prices. The food looks great.
Haha I’m not sure as this was newly posted. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.
We have eaten here before and yes the food is so good. It is just the price is really astronomical as you put it. It does not encourage coming back.
well yeah, but some people are not bothered by the prices at all for as long as they have the best meals of their life. I hope that I will be that rich one day! 😆
I’ve always wondered what kind of food they serve at Chelsea! Thanks for sharing this post Roch. I’ve got my eye on the Peach Melba and the Baked S’mores!
You’re welcome, Peachy. I guess you can also make those on your own at home as I know you’re great at following and improving recipes. 😀
Thanks! I’ll drop by Chelsea first to try it..LOL!
Haha sure!
When it comes to food it makes me feel..hungry all the time. I observed these past few months, food pixx really initiates my voracious…..
Haha I feel the same way sometimes so I stay away from food pictures. I don’t want to ruin my diet because it runs its own schedule. 😛
I love the overall feel of the restaurant. It’s like a haven in a busy city like BGC 🙂
Right. When you’re inside, you will almost forget that you’re still in the city. It has also got a few kitchen aromas that are irresistible!
I think paying premium sometimes for good food is ok as long as it’s done occasionally.
Yeah, para naman may pinatutunguhan ang sweldo hahaha.
Ahuhuhu.. i missed the opportunity to attend this one. I really wanted to try dining in Chelsea because when I was working in Ortigas before, I always pass by this resto in Podium branch! argh! >_<
Ohh you can also check out their branch to be opened at SM Megamall fashion hall. 😀
ang ganda nung place! and ambience pa lang mukang mahal nga! will check this place out sometime! 😀
Yup, this place has beautiful interior design. Very cozy and homey. 🙂
I like the ambiance of the place. It feels really relaxing.
Sadly though, there’s no free wi-fi here. If there is, I think many more people would hang out longer with their laptops or mobile devices browsing the Internet and chill-azing. 🙂
I used to be always in serendra before, so I have seen them before – their food is totally great!
I’ll try more of their food in my next visit my family. 😀
The last time we ate at Chelsea was way back when I was a college freshman. Still can’t forget their pizza! It was that awesome. Hahaha. 😀
Hehe wow okay. I have tried the seafood pizza but had eaten it cold so I didn’t get to appreciate. I’ll try the freshly served one next time!
The food looks pretty awesome. Will definitely try Chelsea Grand Cafe, if I ever get the chance to visit the city.
Yup, the food here are pretty straightforward, pretty delicious.
I like their place, looks clean and the food seems good. I’d like to try this place too one day.
It’s a good place to sit back and relax. Order anything from the menu and enjoy the food. 🙂
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