“Pica-pica” pertains to a variety of small portions of food such as finger foods, whether in the form of snacks or appetizers. In comparative terms, it’s the Filipino’s version of Spanish tapas. Offering pica-pica at affordable prices, The Sunset Lounge of Pan Pacific Hotel in Manila is a worthy place to be discovered and visited. Located at the seventh floor of the hotel, the al fresco venue gives you a chance to take a cozy and silent retreat while watching the famous Manila Bay Sunset. 😛
The Sunset Lounge is open daily (weather permitting) from 5:30PM to 9:00PM. It is also available for private events and has a maximum capacity of 60 persons. Together with blogger friends, I was invited to experience dining here yesterday.
Review of The Sunset Lounge (Pan Pacific Hotel, Malate, Manila)
Ambiance: ★★★★★
There’s an abundance of good restaurants in Manila where you can enjoy a meal, but only a limited few provide a spectacular view of Manila Bay’s sunset. Almost like a hidden treasure, The Sunset Lounge in Pan Pacific Hotel is one of them.
With comfy couches and beds where guests can lie down, it’s an ideal place to unwind, relax, and lounge. Its romantic and laid-back atmosphere makes it perfect for a weeknight date, a quiet dinner with a friend, or an awesome deal on the weekends. The space may not look very large but it can accommodate 60 people for private events.
The swimming pool area is only one floor down, while the gym just sits at the back of the dining area. Non-hotel guests can drop by and spend the day to use the pool and gym for only PhP 250 and dine in at The Sunset Lounge in between.
At around 6:30PM, we witnessed the sunset and its blaze of colors. It wasn’t long when darkness enveloped the sky and the colorful lights were lit. It was an absolutely lovely sight!
Service: ★★★★★
One of the things I could rave most about in The Sunset Lounge is the great customer service. The staffs were super attentive to our needs and it was evident that they take pride in making the diners feel at home. There’s no rush and we lived in the moment, as they knew what we would need before we even asked.
Food: ★★★★☆
The Pacific Chicken Nachos (PhP 350) came as a mandatory appetizer to whet one’s appetite. Notable were the crunch of the tortilla chips with sliced chicken and the spiciness brought by the jalapenos. The salsa, cheese, and condiments harmoniously balanced out the heat and innocently packed a punch of flavors.
Immersed with edam cheese, mozzarella, and corn kernels, the Baby Back Pianizza (PhP 480) was one of the most unique pizza flavors I’ve ever tried. It was topped with smoked baby back ribs that seemed to be marinated sufficiently, making the pizza true to the flavor of its name.
If you want plain old comfort food, then Buffalo Wings and Chicken Drumlets (PhP 350) can serve you well. These are fond reminders of finger food we used to have in our childhood days. Though I would have preferred a boneless breaded chicken fillet, the deliciousness was easily justified and was enough to satisfy any craving.
Filled with sauteed garden vegetables wrapped in rice paper and deep-fried to crispiness, the Crispy Spring Rolls (PhP 350) can be a safe bet for vegetarians. Forming a velvety sheen, the shell was good and tender. Eat the spring rolls right once they’re served or they won’t be as satisfyingly crispy. Sweet chili dipping sauce provided was okay, but I thought vinegar will yield a much better fit.
The Reuben Quesadillas (PhP 350) for me were quite bland-tasting but the simplicity pleased the palate rather than overwhelm. The lightly toasted tortilla were made with green lettuce, sour cream, and melted cheese.
A taco’s filling is infinitely variable. If you want to pick something hearty and interesting, you may want to go with The Sunset Lounge’s Pork Sisig Tacos (PhP 350). Fill the taco shells a fun play of pork mask, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cheese and red sauce. The result is not only rich but a spicy-sweet-tangy powerhouse combo.
Note: The dishes we had were served buffet-style and the photos do not reflect the true portion per order. View The Sunset Lounge’s short but sweet menu. Each entree is good for sharing by two or three people.
Price for Value: ★★★★☆
I like it most when staffs of establishments make me feel special the moment I walk in. The first-class service and intimate environment in this hotel contribute to a high-quality experience. These plus their menu of classic pica-pica dishes with a twist of Filipino flavor make The Sunset Lounge’s prices worth the value. My positive thoughts on this restaurants won’t die down for days! I can’t wait to be back to Pan Pacific Manila, maybe for a staycation next time. 🙂
bloggers with Mr. Ernie Bigay
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