Last Friday, I took a vacation leave from work to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Louie. We had a celebratory meal at Mamou, Serendra and walked down memory lane as well in Bonifacio High Street where we spent V-day five years ago. ♡
As foreign as it may sound, Mamou is totally a 100% Filipino-owned restaurant. Mamou (pronounced as “ma-moo”), we’ve learned from the “Matter of Fact” section on the place mat, is what Malou Fores’ nephew used to call her, and the rest is history! This restaurant specializes in steaks: USDA prime grade beef in different cuts and done-ness. However, we didn’t go to Mamou for their steak because try as I might, even a massive hunk of tender beef in front of me won’t appeal as tempting. 😛
Review of Mamou Serendra (Bonifacio Global City)
Ambiance: ★★★★☆
Red walls, black and white checkered floor tiles, and wide counter across the dining area—all these remind me of the restaurant I used to design back then in Restaurant City, an app on Facebook. 🙂 The relaxing and modern vibe tends to gear toward welcoming a casual yet elegant crowd and environment. And oh, look at the bright, candle-inspired chandeliers! The color seems to be observing Valentine’s day all-year ’round. The place can get pretty noisy though when more dining customers talk at the same time.
Service: ★★★★★
I was surprised when the waiter made a hand gesture to hook my bag under the table. I smiled and said it’s okay for me to do it on my own. I liked the servers’ attitude here: courteous, responsive and friendly. They have the kind of customer service that’s fit for a classy environment.
Food: ★★★★☆
After being caught in heavy traffic jam, we came in late for our reservation but still just in time for lunch. For complimentary appetizer, a basket of bread with regular and wheat sourdoughs was given with an ample helping of butter on the side. The bread was soft and tasted fresh but not phenomenally delicious.
We were glad that our actual order was served quickly. Succulent, juicy and not overly oily, the Tofu and Spring Rolls (PHp 210) with vinegar and sweet chili sauces were a unique take on the traditional Shanghai rolls. The crunchy lumpia skin gave way to mashed tofu, ubod and tinapa. Taken together, few comfort foods can compare.
The sweet white flesh of the Fish Mamou Katsu (PHp 300) righted all wrongs, with nearly melt-on-your-tongue tenderness. The fish fillet had an impossibly delicate and crispy crust that held its shape just long enough to be briefly dipped into the apple tartar sauce. While Louie liked the condiment, I thought the breaded fish was better without it. The red buttered parsley rice that came with the dish merely delivered a straightforward performance. More glutinous than the white rice, the red rice tasted so healthy and wholesome.
Mamou is also famous for its Roast Pork and Chicken (PHp 345, half). Many other restaurants we know may have the same name on their menus, but Mamou’s monstrosity made of citrus rubbed pork and chicken, buttered onions, red Cuban rice, cinnamon saba and black beans taste far different for sure. Yes, their version is worth the praise, though perhaps not to such an ecstatic degree that it receives.
I tried a tiny chunk of the roast pork and thought it was tasty but not sublime. The roast chicken almost tasted the same, so the highlight of the plate for me were the black beans and the banana. 🙂 The contrast of flavors worked wonders. Overall, diners can best enjoy this entree by alternating each piece as their taste buds find fit.
Price for Value: ★★★★☆
Mamou’s diverse menu piques the curiosity of the insatiably food curious like me. Prices are mid-range and the dishes in terms of portion, quality and presentation were all well worth. We had a great time. I thank Louie for bringing me here and breaking my misconception that Mamou only serves a lot of steak and other meaty food that signal a turn-off.
Apparently, Mamou’s menu features plenty of vegetarian finds I’m very interested about. To name a few, there’s the Vegetarian Adobado with Pickled Ubod (PHp 295) made with tofu, saging saba, pickled ubod, white or red buttered parsley rice, Mamou’s Shroom Burger (PHp 495) that has a portabello and shiitake patty on buttered bun, with lettuce, tomato and onion, and Truffle Flavored Vegetable Mushroom dip with Whole Wheat Melba Chips (PHp 195). I can’t imagine how these taste right now, but I’m definitely in for some surprise in our next visit. 😀
Operating hours:
Mon – Fri: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sat: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sun: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Other branch:
Mamou too! Rockwell
L R1 148A, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Makati City
Tels. (+632) 822-6218 / (+63917) 806-2668
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
The food seems very good and nice to stay with friends or family inside.
The taste of food justifies the slightly eye-watering prices. Try their steak and feel free to report here how good it is. 😀
you gave their service a perfect score ! and always go for an establishment that builds their confidence on service as people would go back for sure because of this … will munch here if given a chance to drop by at Serendra ….
Yup, customer service has been incredibly helpful and reliable. 😀
The food looks great. I’m sure you had a great time there! The tofu and spring roll is a classic “ulam” sa house, I guess their version is better.
Yup, if you’re the type who’s not into trying out new dishes but prefer familiar ones on the menu, the tofu and fish spring rolls may be your best bet. 😉
hi,this is an interesting line,it looks delicious,i liked the way you presented it…nice!
Thanks, Nestie. 🙂
food looks good and the mid range price is okay for a once in a while dining, louie is he your boyfriend? sorry just curious hehe
Ahh haha yes, he is! Some people mistake us as brothers and sisters though. 😛
The food looks so yummy!
I totally agree, their service is one of the best!
Can’t wait to go back there!
Having a good reputation for service can be a deal-maker or deal-breaker. In the case of Mamou, I think most customers are satisfied and the management recognizes this as a key to success.
You guys seemed to have a wonderul time at Mamou. It is always interesting to discover new places through blogs. The fish fillet looks delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Hugs,
Rally
You’re welcome. Yup, the fish katsu was great but the sauce was mediocre. I used the vinegar and the sweet chili sauce from the spring rolls for the fish and they were surprisingly better.
Happy belated Valentine’s Day! Your pictures always manage to make me feel hungry *LOL*, and this place looks great-although on the contrary to you i AM a huge meat lover (i have a weird taste bud of a guy, while my husband has a more delicate, lady like taste bud, it’s hilarious-most waiter/waitresses would mixed up our orders because of the stereotyping of guys eats meat and the lady eats delicate things :p)
Haha that’s alright. The way to the heart is via the stomach, so I bet you’re full of warmth and love. 😛
Ohh I wasn’t expecting that it’s a Filipino owned resto because of its name. They have delectable food choices and I believe their prices are worth it. I also love the ambiance. The red theme of their place is perfect for your Vday Celeb ha 🙂
Yeah, me too. I thought Mamou is a Spanish restaurant. 🙂
It looks like you had a great time! Love the photos. They’re making me drool!
Yes, we did. Mamou is an ideal place where you can have a good meal, linger, have a little adventure, and steal off each other’s plates. 😀
Steaks are really perfect for special dates. Mamou looks like a really fine place to dine.
Yup, it’s a fine place to dine, but a restaurant like Mamou actually does not immediately translate to “romance,” so Valentines crowds were not overbearing. And that was a good thing haha.
I think that’s a better place to dine. It’s more intimate but not too romantic.
Right. Let the colors spell romance.
WOOOOH! I want to taste the cuban rice and the red interiors suit well to your VDay!
The rice was really good, making enough justice to the kitchen’s abilities. I could finish half of it even without taking the viand. 🙂
This is definitely a perfect place for dinner.
Sure. The food was faultless. Also, by customer treatment itself, you would want to be back here over and over again.
It’s been awhile since I have been to Serendra – have to try a meal there or two. 😀
Packed with restaurants and outstanding bars, Serendra is the place to go. Deciding where to eat is usually a problem. You can head out to Mamou for great food.
Aww looks like you guys had a great time and oohh “Mamou” is something different! never heard of it before hehe but omg i love steaks!!! you shouldve gotten that lol
Steaks are great but they’re just not my “cup of tea.” 😛 Mamou had a set menu especially for Valentine’s Day but our tummies could not afford to be filled with so much food we really could not take. Thus we ended up ordering a la carte items off the menu which was a good decision anyway.
I love chinese food, and you successfully made me hungry hahahaa happy valentine dear <3
Chinese food is my favorite! 😀 Happy v-day, ’cause every day can greet and share love.
Yay, I’m here again. I’m eyeing on the fish Mamou Katsu. I love fish and chips so I’m sure I’ll be a fan of this too 🙂
Fish and chips by Fish & Co. still is the best for me, but this one’s worth a try. 🙂 Thanks, Kath!
the place so valentines na valentines beautiful.. i want to try there meal .
With good prices and average portions to match with fast service, Mamou at Serendra could become a lunch spot worth seeking out even on regular days.
i want to try the mamou katsu. it looks yummy. and the shroom burger.
Actually the Fish Mamou Katsu is not super unique; you can find good places nearby that hit similar flavor profiles. The Shroom Burger is more interesting.
Belated happy V-day 🙂 Your posts about the food seems yummy and delicious 🙂
Thanks, Lornajane. 🙂 If you’re willing to walk down to BGC, you can really find some excellent dishes in unlikely places. There are new restaurants in High Street (lower part) that might just as well be worth trying soon.
Woww!!! The food looks so delish and scrumptious <3 And oh, btw Belated happy valentines day . Hope you'd a blast xx
Yes, I got to spend the day with my bf and my family. 🙂
everything looks great but you should have tried the steaks! Their steaks are the best!
Haha maybe next time! 😛
It’s so sweet of you to leave work to be with your boyfriend on Vday. I dined here once and the food is really delish.
As they say, YOLO. 😛 (I’ve never used the term before and felt so outdated/ignorant for not knowing that it means You Only Live Once.) I still have plenty of leave credits so I might as well use them or they’d be forfeited.
Great place for dating. If I have the opportunity to have a girlfriend I would prefer to date her at Serendra.
Yup, it’s one of the most presentable places that won’t let you down. Haha (parang Rexona lang). 😛
The roast pork and chicken is superb and delicious!
Have you tried? They’re okay. 🙂
Ma try nga to! BGC offers an array of restaurants!!!
It can easily be known as a foodie’s paradise. 😛
You’re right. First time I read Mamou I though they serve East Asian cuisines. You two look adorable! 🙂
Thanks, Daphne! 🙂 Mamou is a good example of an establishment that reaps good benefits out of having good branding.
As far as business is concerned the type of service it is being offered makes it perfectly demanding. The clients, the customers keep on coming back or patronizing that business because of its A-1 service. So you’re right and I agree with you that you perfectly rated the service of Mamou as what the server or the waiter has shown.
Thanks, Gil. I hope more restaurants would realize that customer service really counts in making the dining experience more memorable each time.
ma-moo sounds a gay lingo’ or gay words haha as I always say it to my close aunties. the foods looks very nice and it is nice seeing your photo with your le boyfie.
Thanks, Jane. It’s weird that mamu (although not spelled the same as Mamou) means “a goofy character who’s trying to fool people” in Hindi. Also in Mumbai, the term refers to “maternal uncle.” So it’s not really gay lingo after all.
MA-MOO for me is my great grand LOLA. Anyway, this place is cool. Pack with great service and food are sumptuous delicious. You said that they served your food quickly, you haven’t waited for a long time…then that’s a great service indeed.
Yup I hear some people call their grandmother mamu. As for the service, it was really commendable considering that the restaurant was full with customers that time and yet they were able to cook and serve food fast.
Fish Mamou Katsu is a good start for people on a healthy living and diet. The plating wasn’t compromise and looks more appetizing to me.
Yup, their dishes are not fatty and oily. The Fish Mamou Katsu in particular was clean and almost grease-less.
Me and someone I used to go out with (ahem! haha) frequents Mamou. And i’m so glad you gave them good ratings! 🙂 PS. You and Louie looks good together talaga! Ayieeee! hahahahaha 😉
Sino kaya si ahem 😛 haha thanks, Yamito!
Thanks for coming….how many tasting dishes 🙂 xoxo ilaria
We want to try more variety from Mamou. 😀 Welcome!
Props to the management for such good customer service. I know the steaks are their specialty but the tofu and spring rolls caught my attention..and taste buds. 🙂
I would want to have another order of the fish tofu spring rolls next time – yes, they’re that good. 🙂
Wow… it looks so nice and all of your photos are so pretty that makes me want to go there and see it for myself! <3
Thanks, Ivy. 😀
It is the first time I see red rice mixed in a dish. I would want to try their roast pork and chicken.
It’s as well my first time. I’m sure you’d love it here! 🙂
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