First Bite: Samba

Shangri-La chain of hotels has been known to offer superior services. These past years though, the spotlight has been on its dining establishments. From the well loved Heat, Senju and Summer Palace of Edsa Shangri-La to Inagiku of Shangri-La Makati, tastemakers have grown to be fascinated with the new additions Canton Road and Raging Bull of Shangri-La at the Fort.  And late last year, a new restaurant was added to the list and it is designed, just like the others, to give us a gastronomic experience worth remembering.

Hello, Samba.

This Peruvian restaurant on the 8th floor of Shangri-La at the Fort, may seem to be a bit misplaced at first given that Canton Road and Raging Bull are both on the 3rd floor.  However, one would understand why this restaurant is placed there upon stepping in its al fresco dining area.

Love at First Bite: Adaäm and Yves Organic Bistro

Getting to know fellow foodies have perks. I would have not heard of Adaäm and Yves Organic Bistro if it wasn’t for K. And after some stalking, I discovered that this is one of the newest restaurants in BGC. The location alone made me interested since it’s relatively near where I work so… I decided to pester one of my friends and dine there ASAP.

Hello, Adaäm and Yves Organic Bistro!

The place, where the entrance is along 6^th Avenue, looks bare from the outside. There are about 8 tables inside with high ceiling making it look very spacious. The place is dimly lit hence it made me think right away how I’ll manage taking photos especially since I didn’t bring my other phone as additional light (for dramatic purposes).

I walked all the way from SM Aura to get here and I was hungry since an hour ago so I was already in my hangry state when I sat down.

Still in its soft opening, the server who assisted us had no idea what are being offered. He did suggest the “bestsellers” which happen to be the two most expensive dishes in the menu. When I asked him what makes it different, he just read the menu to me which, admittedly, annoyed me and made me snap.

Before losing it, I ordered Tuna Turner (PHP285) and Pink Floyd (PHP230) while J went with Noli Me Tangere (PHP495). [Side note: After telling the server my order, I think he spaced out and asked for my order again. He sure tested my patience.]

Service was quick though and in less than 10 minutes, Tuna Turner was served. And it was difficult to shoot it!

When Adaäm and Yves said it was a sashimi grade tuna loin, they were not kidding. It sure was fresh and delightful! The tangy taste from the lemon juice and slight oiliness from the olive oil made it a great appetizer to start the meal. 

The taro chips reminded me of the blue potato chips I usually get from flights.

First Bite: Le Jardin

I love it when I get random messages or invites especially when food is involved.

Two weeks ago, my former colleague M messaged me to ask if I was free the following day for food tasting at Le Jardin. Since Le Jardin is one of the restaurants I wanted to visit, I quickly replied YES! Who am I to turn down free food anyway?

Hello, Le Jardin.

I’ve read about this fancy French restaurant befores. I planned to have brunch here one time with a few friends but it never happened. But thanks to M, I get to try some of its bestsellers.

When I arrived, I was the only guest there. I thought I was too early for dinner. But throughout dinner, only two to three other tables were occupied. (All were couples except for the group of baby boomers near the bar.)

M and I tried the five-course dinner (PHP3,200) which includes amuse bouche, three entrée aux choix (appetizers), plat principal au choix (main course), assortment de fromage maison (homemade cheese) and dessert au choix (assortment of one dessert).

First served were a plate of freshly baked bread and a small serving of amuse bouche (truffled scrambled eggs).

The amuse bouche was delightful with its soft and silky texture. It went well with the warm bread.

It took roughly 30 minutes before the first appetizer arrived.

The Saumon Fumé Maison or house smoked salmon was quite ordinary for me. It was also not as salty as the other smoked salmon I tried before.

The Tartare de Homard au Pamplemousse was served next and it was quite bland. 

The lobster was fresh though and the chilled pomelo was refreshing.

It took almost another half hour before the Lasagne D’ Agneau was served. But it was worth the wait.

Though small, this dish was oozing with flavor. This is one of the tastiest lasagnas I’ve tried. I also loved that the lamb had no after taste. It would have tasted better though if it was served warmer and al dente. But apparently, French pasta is made to be softer or so what the chef told M.

Sweet Stop: Paul Patisserie and Boulangerie

A meal is not a happy meal without dessert. I usually crave for sweets after a good meal. I just need to have my sweet ending (unless if I had a salmon sashimi overload for lunch or dinner). And last Friday, I had a good dinner but still had room for dessert so we went to SM Aura to visit…

Paul Patisserie and Boulangerie! It has been a while!

I still remember the sweet goodness I ordered last year and just thinking about it now makes me drool.

This time, J and I ordered the following: Tartelette Citron (PHP210), Éclair Chocolat (PHP160), Milleuille Mango (PHP150) and two Grand Café (PHP115/cup).

First served was the Milleuille Mango and it was pretty good. The lovely Napoleon was soft and creamy. The mango slices and puree made it even more delectable.

Love at First Bite: Magnum Manila

I am not a fan of Magnum. There. I said it. I never went wild and consumed Magnum every day when it was launched. It tasted like your usual ice cream to me. But the thing is… I drooled when I found out that there will be a Magnum Manila Café. Yeah, yeah, why am I saying this just now? It has been up and running since early last year. Well, I was a late bloomer with Magnum Manila Café. Just like Ippudo, whenever I plan to visit, it gets cancelled. Luckily, my favorite Dragon lady was game to try it with me before 2014 ended.

Finally! Hello, Magnum Manila! Whaaaazaaaap? (Okay, too much enthusiasm there.)

T and I did our best not to order the popular chocolate dish from Todd English just so we could stop by Magnum Manila. And it was lovely to see the place without a crazy line in front. We easily got a table and we ordered Pink Friday (PHP290) and Trio of Hot Chocolate (PHP180). I also got a cup of Hot Cappuccino (PHP110) while T went for her usual black coffee.

While waiting, we got mesmerized by the wall filled with Magnum stamped Popsicle sticks. Pretty!

Soon, the Pink Friday dessert was served. And it sure was very pink.

 

The dish is made of strawberry marbled cheesecake on a bed of Speculoos tea cookies. It also has strawberry nerds and a pink chocolate dusted vanilla Magnum on top and strawberry coulis on the side.

Love at First Bite: Vyne

I love Girls Night Out(s). It forces me to dress nicely and be girly (though I seriously hate heels so I always bring flats in case my poor knees give up on me). Plus we get to talk about our love lives or the lack of it. One day, I got a message from my favorite Dragon Lady saying to block off one Saturday so that we could try Vyne. She added, wear something nice. (I volunteered as one of the runners of the Ethan Allen Anniversary sale then so I was a bit harassed but it’ll do.)

Hello, Vyne!

The place is located at the 8^th floor of the W building with IHOP. The entrance looks cute as it is also the entrance of Hyve, one of the bars (or should I call it a club) at The Fort.

First thing I noticed inside were the graffiti or paintings on the concrete walls. It added an adorable vibe to the place.

The washroom is also charming!

Anyway, for the food, we ordered the following: Apple and Bleu Cheese Salad (PHP285), Prawn Ravioli Laksa (PHP270), Lamb Rendang Bolognese (PHP360), The Salmon (PHP450), Breaded Aji Tamago (PHP200) and Mexican Grilled Chicken Sandwich (PHP280). We also ordered two glasses of Lychee Martini (PHP280 for two glasses).

The Apple and Bleu Cheese Salad arrived first and it looked so pretty! The crispy and slightly tangy green apples went well with the sweet honey yogurt dressing. The tanginess of the bleu cheese surely made us hungry for more.