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Showing posts with label awesome french food manila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label awesome french food manila. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
MAKATI DIAMOND RESIDENCES: DINING at ALFRED

 Cheese and a whole lot more. Different dishes that makes you feel like you're transported to another place and time period. At ALFRED, they want you to try something different and new.
 FRIDAY nights have just become more special. Starting this July 7 all the way till September, ALFRED of MAKATI DIAMOND RESIDENCES would be offering BON VIVANT. Loosely translated to a person who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle, BON VIVANT is definitely a highlight for this well loved restaurant. Pegged at 1,200 Php nett, diners get unlimited dishes and drinks.
As you enter, a spread is prepared just for you and your guests.  Dishes and pica-pica perfect to partner with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Part of BON VIVANT, the drinks are a mix of cocktails, a selection of wine, mocktails, and other carbonated drinks.
Starters would range from chicken liver mousse crostinis, smoked salmon roulade, and fish grandade on garlic toast. The big boys like the Farmer's Pate en Croute would highlight this part of the meal.
To everyone's delight, there's even a raclette station. Border line offensive in terms of smell for the uninitiated, the flavor is to die for. Partnered with different small bread and vegetables, you get a mixture of taste that plays well on your tongue.
For something heavier, the spread also has seafood croute and some raviolini.
The Seafood Croute was flaky and had a predominately salmon taaste. The Foie Gras Raviolini was creamy and buttery. Each bite was sinful yet worth it.
To end the meal, Paris Brest or a French dessert is right there for the taking. Granted that Bon Vivant can't compete with quantity of choices, it is however focused on the quality of the dishes served.
Even if it may be a lot, Alfred also have mainstays that would make anyone swoon with delight. The Roasted Lamb Loin, Grilled Mustard Chicken, and the Swordfish are pretty good choices.
 The Lamb is stuffed with goat cheese and black olive jus. Surprisingly, it wasn't as gamey as one would think. The meat was tender and it was pretty good.
 The Chicken was cooked through and through. Partnered with a soft egg and some pecorino, it's pretty much everything you could think off. The Swordfish is a class on its own. With excellent grill marks, the meat was tender and soft. It was like eating steak but on a softer level. This one was a crowd favorite.
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ALFRED is located on the ground floor of the Makati Diamond Residences. With a high ceiling, classy furnitures, and great service, it would be a shame not to visit.


MAKATI DIAMOND RESIDENCES
ALFRED RESTAURANT
1229 Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati
1229 Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines


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Friday, April 7, 2017
MIREIO: A Classic Take on French Cuisine.

There has been a decline in the number of French restaurants in the metro. In recent months, a couple of French establishments closed, giving patrons lesser options when it comes to something provencal. Thankfully, RAFFLES MAKATI introduced MIREIO. With bright interiors and a graceful set up, lunch at MIREIO is more fun than serious.
The menu in itself is versatile. It is perfect for a quick power lunch or a get together with long time friends. Starters are delicious and light. Simple yet sophisticated, the ingredients pour out to great you. Such is the case of the TOMATO TART. A generous serving of snails is placed on top of a crunchy flat bread that is mixed with tomato and parmesan cheese. With the basil dressing, everything jives together.
To wake up the senses, the PORK NECK and CHICKEN LIVER TERRINE is superb. Vivid flavors pop out with each bite. Having it with the pickled vegetables gives you a distinct profile that surprises the palette.
The CLASSIC BEEF TARTAR though must not be missed. Using only the freshest ingredients, a mixture of egg and high quality meat is presented with a battery of seasoning. This could definitely be French Cuisine's answer to sushi.
Speaking of seafood, non-meat eaters would enjoy the SALMON TARTAR. Topped with goat cheese and deep fried crisy skin, this has a more healthier flavor.
Moving on to a more serious note, this traditional puff pastry is filled with chicken and foie gras. One would immediately think that this dish would be dry and tough. Surprisingly, the chicken meat is moist and tremendously tender. The foie gras gave it a more smoother feel. The shell is also a bit crispy and held its form.
Something a bit similar to Filipino's sisig, this CRISPY PORK GALETTE has a savory note to it. The wrapping is something you could do without but it kept the chopped pork bits crispy. This is a dish that requires a cup of rice.
Even if MIREIO serves delicious cuts of meat that they cook into glorious steak, their seafood section is also a thing of beauty. With most of their ingredients flown in, one could expect that the quality and the flavors of each differs from your ordinary run of the mill supermarket.
As a substitute for rice, you might want to go for the PRAWNS RISOTTO. Each spoonful and you get to taste the sea. Salty but not overly so. Just right to compliment the prawns. Another over achiever would be the SEA BASS. An eye candy, this one is perfectly cooked. Each bite into the meat would provide a creamy texture. Underneath, the ratatouille stuffed canneloni are placed to support and work with the flavors. This one is light yet filling.
Furthermore, guests have the option of getting clams and mussels. Cooked in an unmistakable manner, the best tip one could get is to get a piece of bread and dip it in the sauces. The juices are filled with much gusto.
To end the meal, dessert is but the beginning. The flan tart is a bouncy way to get your fill. Another would be to go for the creme brulee. Each with their own characteristics.
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It could be a quickie or a long engagement. For MIREIO, you're definitely getting your money's worth.

 RELATED LINKS:

MIREIO TERRACE: SUNSETS and DRINKS
Rain or Shine at Long Bar in Raffles Makati
Mireio: More than just French Cuisine.
TAPAS at FAIRMONT LOUNGE
Raffles: Afternoon Tea
Raffles and Fairmont: Happy Hour and Oysters
Spectrum Sunday Seafood Brunch
Spectrum Sunday Brunch at The RanchMIREIO 
Raffles Hotel
Makati Ave, Makati City,
Metro Manila
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Monday, February 13, 2017
IMPRESSIONS: The Perfect Date Place for Valentine's

There's a sense of excitement each time my foots step into IMPRESSIONS. Fine dining with the perfect service, it is here that privacy and comfort are well provided for.
With CHEF CYRILLE SOENEN at the helm, one can't really go wrong with any of the dishes you might pick. Having the distinction of being the only resident Maitres de Cuisiniers de France (Mater Chef of Franch) in the Philippines, Chef Cyrille knows his way around the kitchen. Needless to say, I was in for one heck of an Sunday Brunch just in time for Valentine's
Since opportunity and exclusivity are important to guests, IMPRESSIONS makes it a must to offer something delicious and different. Not yet out in the market, RAFFA SPARKLING is a delicious sparkling drink. With the option to choose between dry and semi-dry, patrons could definitely enjoy the feast that would come their way.
Since this is the Sunday Brunch just before Valentine's day, the restaurant made it more enticing with the addition of different french inspired dishes and eastern flavors. Since Impressions is known for their cuts of meat, I was pleasantly surprised that they offered some sushi, sashimis and even siomai but with French Cuisine Twists.
Aside from those mentioned, other appetizers were presented. From different types of bread, ham and cheese, one could also go for dips and a meat or vegetable tartare as well.
Smoked meats and seafood were a hit. Adding more flavor to any of the dishes.
A seafood feast was also presented with options to have each one fresh, baked, steamed, and roasted.
From scallops, oysters, mussels, local lobsters and huge shrimps, one can't get enough of the different dishes. Furthermore, salads and other small plates were present to entice the dinners to eat more.
Moving over the main events, IMPRESSIONS has made a mark as a FRENCH RESTAURANT with fine meat dishes. In this buffet spread, the live cooking station had tons of surprises for meat lovers.
To start things first, there was an incredible mushroom risotto that was to die for. Each grain left a silky smooth texture that is magnificently done. The mushroom flavors erupted with each spoonful.
But the attention must be given to the MAINS. One meat is stuffed with sisig to give it a Filipino flavor. Another is covered with herbs. The dishes here aren't cooked prior to any order. They are done once you ask for them. That is how serious IMPRESSIONS are to give the best dishes to their guests. No shortcuts and definitely no expense is spared.
More than anything else, it was the steak that is a must get. Asking for a medium rare, they executed it perfectly. This is one of the few restaurants in the metro that could deliver such quality. Usually, steaks at buffets would be either overcooked or under. Here, they were not having any of that.
It should be noted that a meal is not a meal without a proper start. For me it was a few appetizing finger foods that pushed me into the fray. After trying different Hors d'oeuvre, I went for the lobster bisque. One of the common mistakes for this would be the saltiness factor. Usually, restaurants would go over. At IMPRESSIONS, they were having none of that.
Here, the sushi are made to order. Aside from the usual, the most impressive one would be the unagi or eel, the steak, and the foie gras. The cuts of salmon and tuna was incredibly sweet as well.
Something different, they also had tempura. Red versions were a hit with the kids as the batter was mixed with beet. It was something different.
High ticket dishes such as the FOIE GRAS is always a must at IMPRESSIONS. There is a right way of doing things and here, they nailed it. Each bite is buttery and perfect with the balsamic glaze.
As I mentioned the seafood bar also gave fresh delicacies like these oysters from down south. The flavors all popped out. It was an experience.
Dessert was well curated as well. From crepes, to souffles and delicious not your ordinary cakes, you won't go wrong with any. The fruits were also in season. It was delicious to say the least when you have this huge strawberries from the states and dip each one into a liquid chocolate concoction.
Food In The Bag is now in Facebook. Click Here to follow and like.
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IMPRESSIONS in RESORTS WORLD MANILA is a fine example of quality over quantity. Each dish is well curated and most if not all are made to order. The freshness and the work ethic placed into each plate goes to show why IMPRESSIONS is one of the best French Restaurant in Metro Manila.
"For Valentine's Day IMPRESSIONS would be offering a dinner set."


RELATED LINK:
Beef and Wine Night at Impressions


IMPRESSIONS
3rd Floor, Maxims Hotel
Resorts World Manila
Pasay City, Metro Manila


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Wednesday, December 14, 2016
MIREIO: More Than Just Provencal Inspired Cuisine

I guess the story is out. There's a new place in town that I don't want to share because it's better off to remain a secret. Named after a famous poem, MIREIO is definitely a romantic place to visit. Interiors are masterfully done and would catch your interest once you enter the establishment.
Divided into two sections, a bar is located on the second level where dedicated bartenders and mixologists work together to bring you one perfect drink. To witness a breathtaking view, visit during the sunset hour. Nothing is more fairy-tale like when you have a drink in one hand and a partner on the other while watching the sun go down.
A spritzer won't hurt but if you're up for something else, the 1947 blood compact is a solid drink with a historical background. Engaging the staff would bring out the story of the drink. It's actually named after an agreement between France and the Philippines to establish a diplomatic relationship.
Rarely does one see an absinthe fountain in Manila. Here at MIREIO, they have a few. I guess that's an invitation for one to let loose and enjoy the night away. Another reason why, it's more than just the food. The restaurant has the view and the ambiance to impress guests and patrons alike.
Moving towards the main dining hall, everything is prim and proper. A light touch of art went well with the simple yet elegant facade.
Chef de Cuisine Nicolas Cegretin is at the helm of this restaurant. Having worked for notable establishments and Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, he and his team can create wonderful French Provencal Cuisine.
A meal could start off with some Amuse Bouche. The smoked salmon was perfectly paired with Beef and goat cheese. A mix between land and sea to get started.

Tastebuds would jump with gusto with the ROASTED DUCK FOIE GRAS. Having a buttery consistency, it's quite refreshing to see foie gras cooked in a different way. Usually other local restaurants would go for searing or as garnish to a dish. Here, the foie gras is smoother and delightful.

Just to clean everything up, soup is a chilled zucchini with basil and chorizo. The sausage bits gives it a bit of texture while the soup in general is light and a contrast to the heavy foie gras.

The fish course is a grilled version of the Skipjack Tuna. Different types of carrots were used to accompany the seafood. These alongside the caramel gave it a bit of sweet touch. The tuna in itself is almost like a different type of meat making it something more pleasant.
The next course produced the oxtail with black truffle jus and mesclun. A layer of mashed potato is on top of an orgasmic slow cooked oxtail. Once the lid is removed, a smell of rich butter would entice anyone to get more than just a couple of spoonful.
Desserts are prepared in a way that it would compliment the entire meal. The RUM BABA absorbed the flavor of the alcohol and made it into a sweet solid touch. Having a lime panacotta underneath gave it a different dimension.
Food In The Bag is now in Facebook. Click Here to follow and like.
If you are into INSTAGRAM Follow me @foodinthebag.
With everything that has been presented, MIREIO is more than the food. It's the experience. From start to finish, guests indulge in the ambiance, service and everything else.


RELATED LINKS:
Time for a cold one at The LONG BAR
TAPAS at FAIRMONT LOUNGE
Raffles: Afternoon Tea
Raffles and Fairmont: Happy Hour and Oysters
Spectrum Sunday Seafood Brunch
Spectrum Sunday Brunch at The Ranch


MIREIO
Raffles Hotel
9th Floor 
1 Raffles Drive,
Makati Avenue, 
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

 Website: http://www.raffles.com/makati/


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