Searching for an ideal restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or a family gathering can be quite tricky. The location and mood, the food selection, and the budget come together when considering where to go. If you’re in the market for a convenient and impressive setting in Metro Manila, Las Casas Manila in QC could be the one. At least that’s what we thought when we walked in! 🙂 Not just because the location is pretty close to our home (walking distance from Fishermall), the food looked nice and tasted great, though both of these things are true. It’s because everyone seemed to be have a good time!
We celebrated Valentine’s Day here last Sunday and had a fantastic experience. We saw couples on a date, families having a big lunch, and even business partners discussing stuff over food. All of that’s definitely promising, but the main reason to see a future with this place is because Las Casas by Margarita Fores has a homey appeal. It is an events place where you can do photoshoots. It has a swimming pool outside and a large grassy area to wander around. On the menu, you’ll find some reliable favorites like paella, unique appetizers, delicious mains, and superb desserts. More on these below.
Review of Las Casas Manila by Margarita Fores (Del Monte, Quezon City)
Ambiance:
Whether for a romantic evening or a casual meal with your family or friends, Las Casas Manila offers one of the best settings in Metro Manila with an unhurried atmosphere and classy vibe. Entering the restaurant is like welcoming yourself in an aunt’s home. It looked bright and cheery on one side, while the other direction pointed to a more “old-world elegance” vibe. The dining room was magnificent overall, with rich dark wood everywhere, a high ceiling, and lovely ornate details. We walked up the grand staircase and found vintage furniture on the second floor. There are function rooms where you can host a wedding reception or a huge birthday bash. What a total package!
Food:
On a closer look, the food selections at Las Cases were way more interesting than they seemed—and for a semi-upscale restaurant, also affordable. For appetizer, we had the Tortilla de Patatas, Jamon Serrano Mayonesa (Potato Omelette) (PhP 120). We found it fun to eat because of all the varying textures and layers. This Spanish food is an upgrade from the regular omelette, one of those rare dishes that demonstrate how a handful of household ingredients can be transformed from ho-hum to exceptional with just a little bit of good technique.
The rest of the food we ordered were all recommendations of our server. Smothered in cheese and mixed with chunks of chorizo, their best-selling Penne con Chorizo (PhP 275) was rich, creamy, and flavorful. It’s a light dish you can enjoy before the mains, and you’ll feel like a few minutes away from a Spanish taste sensation.
Their Pollo con Paprika (PhP 390) had a generous amount of sauce. The chicken was tender, aromatic, and satisfying.
We also liked the Chuleton (Grilled Marinated Rib Eye) with Salsa Verde and Paprika Mayonesa (250 grams, PhP 720). The steak was well seasoned, with a pleasant beefiness that made it taste good even without a dip into the included condiments. Texturally, it was properly tender (cooked medium) and juicy.
For desserts, we had Churros con Chocolate (PhP 120) and Tres Leches, Smoked Coconut, Dried Mangoes, and Jackfruit (PhP 280). The churros were some of the tastiest we’ve had—perfectly crisp and spot on fluffy. It was even more delicious when taken with a dab of warm chocolate.
Tres Leches, Smoked Coconut, Dried Mangoes, and Jackfruit made for a worthy close to the meal. We have never had anything like it before. This ultra light cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture is a popular cake in Mexico and Latin America. Tres leches consisted of three types of milk over the top–evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk. Similar to an angel food cake, the whipped egg whites in the batter made it extra light and spongy. We took a bite, closed our eyes, and almost clapped our hands with glee. It easily became one of our favorites! You’ll love this cake. It’s like a hidden treasure!
Price for Value:
Las Casas Manila by Margarita Forés exceeded our expectations. The space is so postcard-like so it’s a great opportunity to take your camera outside and shoot. Be a tourist in your own city and make the most out of your visit here. Stop by with a group, or a date, on a weekend afternoon, and hang out for an hour or two. Delight in Spanish cuisine in a beautiful restored heritage mansion! It’s one of the better places to eat in the area, and prices are reasonable and won’t break the bank. 🙂
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
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