Bistro Manuel: Bringing back Lolo Dad's Signature Dishes

Lolo Dad's has been one of the most iconic fine dining restaurants in Manila. Tucked inside Malate, this place used to be packed, with most looking forward to the restaurant's signature dishes. And many tears were shed when this well-loved establishment closed its doors in 2014. You'd know too that it was truly missed when people still crave for its delectable foie gras and steak to this day. This is why many were thrilled when the brilliant chefs Ariel Manuel and Mia Ayuyao Manuel decided to make a comeback and opened Bistro Manuel. 

Hello, Bistro Manuel. 

Bistro Manuel is a contemporary take on Lolo Dad's. With its more modern yet still sophisticated interiors, it serves as a great place for dates or celebrating milestones. 

First Bite: Planet Grapes

I’m a fan of Planet of the Apes and that’s probably why I’m so curious with Planet Grapes. I find it to be such a witty name and I’m a sucker for anything witty.

Hello, Planet Grapes!

It has been months since I discovered this place but the Alabang branch was a bit too far for me so I never had a chance to visit. But food gods love me so much that Planet Grapes’ newest branch is just a few blocks away from me—Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Wine without the drama.

 

Planet Grapes somehow has a classy yet warm ambiance. The dishes too aren’t priced that steep though some dishes are slightly on the expensive side. We got the following: Kitayama Rib eye Steak (PHP1,195), Grilled Trio Prawns (PHP495) and PG Super Sisig (PHP210). For wine, we got Baby Bad Boy 2010 (PHP280 for 125 ml | PHP180 for 75 ml | PHP95 for 38 ml) and Pircas Negras Torrontes (PHP235 for 125 ml | PHP150 for 75 ml | PHP80 for 38 ml).

First served was the sisig. R and I got confused with the tomatoes as we never had sisig with tomatoes before. (I guess it is for the purpose of giving extra crunch?) Admittedly, it’s not the best sisig around but it was good. I just wish that it was crunchier.