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Showing posts with label fine dining in shangrila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fine dining in shangrila. Show all posts
Monday, May 8, 2017
FOO'D by DAVIDE OLDANI: BGC'S AFFORDABLE DATE PLACE

 
 A date that doesn't have to break the bank. At FOO'D by Chef Davide Oldani, guests are entitled to world class cuisine without having to pay a month's wage. Ambiance is very sophisticated yet relaxing on the eyes. It may seem formal but patrons can rest up and take their time.
Start off with some drinks and amuse-bouche. These can take a bit off the waiting game as the food here is cooked and prepared only when ordered. In that particular lunch, a bite sized hors d'oeuvres was served. It had a hint of truffle flavor and went well with the caviar. Their in house bread is also a different story as it has a crunch outside while the innards are soft like a pillow.
 FOO'D has this concept to make guests pick the number of courses they wish to partake off. From there, they could upgrade different parts of the meal to their liking. For lunch, FOO'D started having 2 course meals to cater to the fast paced life that corporate workers have in the area. At Php 500 ++ per person, you can't beat that.
 One could either pick an anti pasto or dessert to go with the main course. The CIPOLLA CARAMELLATA is a must as this is a signature dish of Chef Davide. A caramelized onion is prepared for 3 days. Dehyrdated, the whole onion undergoes a process to make it as such. Aged grana gelato is added on top of this tart like dish. Honestly, it seemed too straightforward to begin a meal with something sweet. It's border line dessert because of the flavor but the aged grana padano gave it a salty contrast.
In line with the 2 course lunch menu, the main dish would be the RISO CHICKEN with PRAWN. Spring Chicken is cooked with veal jus. Placed on top of risotto, it's a mix of rich and savory parts. The shrimp just adds more texture to it. From here, it gets a bit fun. One could upgrade and change the course with different items from the menu.
One maybe tempted to try the RISO COCHINILLO. Roast pork with porcini sauce on top of risotto. Here, we realize that the base is similar for all the main dishes. Risotto. Heavy and creamy, the risotto works well with anything. Making it a versatile and perfect partner for each choice.
The IBERICO PORK RIBS would be very interesting. With each bite, you realize how lucky you are. The right amount of seasoning and even the muscovado bread crumbs on top makes everything work. The vegetables also gave it something different. Also, since the meat stayed very close to the bones, it absorbed a ton of flavor making it delicious.
If you're going for something tender, the BEEF ALL'OLIO would be your bet. This one would make your mouth melt with delight. The meat is super tender. It's like eating cotton candy. Wagyu beef cheek is used together with bordelaise. Topped with trout caviar, it gets amazingly decadent.
The most expensive upgrade you could go for would be the RISO RIB CAP. A5 Wagyu is cooked quite similar to the beef cheek. Steak lovers would enjoy this.
For FOO'D dessert is an art. Each time it goes out of the kitchen, it must be a masterpiece. Something to that effect would be the very curious LEMON CURD. The merinque is extremely crunchy because of the dehydration technique used on it. Lettuce gelato is also on the sidee with cacao crumble and curry almonds. To eat this dish, one must get all the parts in one spoonful. Having just one part like the lettuce gelato can be a bit too much on your senses.
The DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSE is somewhat normal as you could get this particular texture and flavor in other restaurants. Having salt creates this contrasting flavor to take the umay or sated factor out. The CHEESECAKE though is another thing. Ricotta mouse, sable, strawberry and basil is mixed in this delicate product. The cheesecake itself is covered in a red gelatinous top. The flavors are very sublime yet not over the top. This is very very very good.
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FOO'D is a high end restaurant that serves affordable degustation style dining. Granted that it can only take in 50 diners at a time, they have 2 seatings during dinner. At 500 Php for lunch and 800 Php for dinner, FOO'D makes it very accessible for anyone wanting to try it out.


FOO'D
Ground Level
High Street Park, Shangri-la Fort,
30th Street Corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City, Metro Manila




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Friday, October 16, 2015
SHANGRI-LA MAKATI: ESPERIENZA ITALIANA

As usual, it was traffic. The usual 30 minutes of travel via private vehicle now takes around more than an hour or two. I figured that it would be better for me to relax and just stay put first than get stressed from driving. As I found myself in Makati, I didn't know that I could relax and have a breather during the peak hours at a bar in one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. 
The MAKATI SHANGRI-LA's SAGE.
One of my weakness is ITALIAN CUISINE. I can never say no to quality ITALIAN FOOD. I can brave the traffic and the horrible parking for excellent food. What a day it was for me as it was when SHANGRI-LA MAKATI launched ESPERIENZA ITALIANA or "Experience Italy".
This was their way of bringing ITALY to the METRO.
We got to experience an ITALIAN APERITIVO at SAGE. This is like Italians pre-dinner. A few cocktails and some finger food if you will before the main dinner. Honestly though, the food was more than enough to make me full.

Their spread is like no other though.
BREAD topped with different toppings. From salmon, to olives to cheese.
Mini-pizzas for the win. A margarita flavored to my choice of margarita.
Aside from that, they also had some risotto balls.
Pasta is an integral part of ITALIAN CUISINE. As such, they had prepared a station that cooked pasta to your preference. This one is PENNE with Mozzarella, Tomatoes and Basil. A little heavy on the tomato flavor.
A crowd favorite would be the RISOTTO ACQUERELLO. It had saffron, green asparagus and Italian Sausage.
The spread also had a "carving station". This time around, they had the cured prosciutto. Salty ham that is amazing and perfect with any type of bread. Delicious.
More so if you get the right type of cheese combination that came with it. 
One thing I liked about this ITALIAN APERITIVO is that you could get perfect cocktails.
I think I was a bit tipsy already as I didn't know which one is which. 
You actually have a choice of what to do with your drinks. From the base of the SPRITZ to the white wine or prosecco and even whatever additional things you may want to add. 
This ITALIAN APERITIVO would run on OCTOBER 19, 21, and 23 from 6 to 10pm. It is priced at 1,500++ Php. This includes the antipasto buffet and selected drink. 
I must say, you must not miss this if you love great food and perfect drinks to go along with it. Did I mention that in SAGE, there's an amazing looking bar and a great band that does incredible hits.

Aside from this, MAKATI SHANGRI-LA has a lot of activites set from OCTOBER 19-23. They invited MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF ROCCO IANNONE. He will be serving an incredible menu partnered with certain wine. This would be on OCTOBER 20-23 from 6 to 10:30pm. Tickets are at 5,500 or 4,500 for 4 or 5 courses respectively. 

If you are a music lover, they invited the 30-piece MANILA SYMPHONY along with three tenors, and a soprano. A pre-show aperitif would also be served at the main lobby at 6:30pm. This would be on OCTOBER 22 at 7:30pm priced at Php1,850.



SAGE
G/F
Shangri-la Makati Hotel
Ayala Avenue Cor Makati Avenue,
Makati City, Metro Manila.
(632) 813 8888 



Disclaimer: was invited to try the different dishes and drinks. Wrote thise based on my insights and opinion.
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Thursday, August 28, 2014
AFFORDABLE FINE DINING at MADISON'S BISTRO MODERNE

Somethings are just meant for you to try out and enjoy. Not knowing and not expecting anything makes MADISON'S BISTRO MODERNE a treat.
 
Located on what used to be a bookstore on the ground floor of Edsa Shangrila Hotel, MADISON'S BISTRO MODERNE has its own deli, and makes its own bread, butter, and pasta daily in house. Talk about fresh! They even cure their own meat. These and more.

So on a lovely Saturday, a few of my friends and I were lucky enough to enjoy this fine dining restaurant.  Under the helms of Italian Executive Chef Giovanni Sias, you won't go wrong with any of the dishes of this fairly new establishment. With over three decades of cooking experience for this creative chef under his belt, you would be treated to his take on different dishes stemming out from his homeland Italy and even from his previous stints in New York.

 While waiting for the ever so late Michy and just on time Barbie, I got a chance to roam around the place and checkout the nooks and cranny of this wonderful restaurant. 
Don't be deceived by the white linen and the tall ceilings. The restaurant invites you to relax and make it as if its your own home. Stephen, the operations manager, made sure that you enjoy and leave all the troubles at the door. He definitely knows how to assist and give in to your every need.
You could drop by anytime of the day and  enjoy a cup of coffee from this sexy coffee maker as they open at 7 am for breakfast.
Or relax and day dream outside al-fresco style and watch cars pass by till the wee hours of the night.
 I for one would choose to chill at the bar while waiting for my date and enjoy all the lovely drinks that they offer. Tip: go there 3pm-8pm to partake of happy hour. They got wines at 85Php a glass! Yes cheaper than that coffee you are drinking right now.

But for the serious and the private, I would suggest you reserve their very own Chef's Table.
Here you could have a private affair. Maybe a secret rendezvous or even a proposal for the lovey dovey. 
 
(from MDB's website)
You could enjoy the privacy with one way mirrors to the kitchen and also the bar.
On the other side, rests their own deli. Oils, liquors, pastries, cakes, cured meats
  and my favorite CHEESE!!!!!
What I liked about their deli is that you get to order your sandwich but you could customize it and add a bit of this and that. You could be thankful and happy that they make their own bread every day because you would taste the difference.
The prices aren't overboard because they make everything in house! So you see, this deli got a piece of the market and its quite competitive. Where else can you get yummy chocolate treats at 20Php+ a piece. To think they are of artisan make.

After an hour or so, the group was finally complete and our gustatory adventure started.
To start everything, bread and butter were served. The butter seemingly normal, aren't 
What ever the chef fancies, he makes. For this visit, they had roasted bell pepper and pomegranate flavored.
I would suggest starting off with some sparkling wine as it aids and enhances the flavors of the dishes ahead.
For appetizers, had some awesome suggestions from Stephen which we all accepted. 

We started with SPECK and GOAT CHEESE MOUSSE (550Php). Truffle Scent, Apple Mustard Chutney.
One bite and the flavors jump in your mouth. The meat isn't overpowering that it blends with the cheese mousse. The Chutney gave it a different texture. I could eat this all day long. Good bye diet.

The OCTOPUS CARPACCIO (310Php) had a generous serving of this seafood delight. It was accompanied by Fried Zuchini Chips, Mint and Vinegar, Grape Tomatoes and Lemon Dressing.
The octopus wasn't hard and chewy. Something quite different. The Friend Zuchini Chips, on the other hand, gave our palettes a surprise. You would think that this is veggie but quite the opposite. It tasted as if it was normal potato chips but slathered with vinegar dressing. It gave it an unexpected sour taste. I loved it.

For our mains, we opted to get four different  entrees so as to mix and match our taste buds.

One look and you would fall in love with this CONFIT PORK BELLY (450Php). Potato Gratin, Braised Balsamic Lentils and Thyme Jus.
What sets this apart from other pork bellies is that  the way it was marinated and cooked. This dish would make anyone salivate just by staring at it. Tender meat. Not too fatty and just right. The Lentil gave it a different texture while the potato gratin presented the carbs portion of the dish.

Arguable one of the best dish on their menu, the TRI-COLORED RAVIOLI (380Php) doesn't disappoint. Cream Cheese, Quail Eggs, Truffle Oil, Bacon Bits, Beurre Noisette.
I can't for the life of me get this dish out of my head. Freshly made and exudes cheesy goodness. That is what this ravioli is all about. Not too think and just right, the wrapper secretly hides the quail eggs inside. Once you cut it open, it oozes out. This my friend is deadly. I wouldn't mind passing by this place and taking an order or two home.

For the health conscious, the PISTACHIO CRUSTED BLACK COD FISH (650Php) is made especially for you. Carrot Pudding, Red Onion and Chocolate Marmalade in Saffron Sauce.
Not overcooked and moist inside, these make the dish exceptional. The crunchy texture of the pistachio helps give it a different take. The carrot pudding is soft and is a welcomed veggie treat to even the not so veggie eater aka me.

The POTATO GNOCCHI (480Php) was cooked perfectly. Black Truffle, Creamy Cheese Sauce and Prosciutto. This pasta dish had that bite when you put a spoonful in your mouth. Al dente. The flavor reminds me of your home made mac and cheese without the mac. I love its creaminess. Definitely for the kids and kids at heart. YUMMY!

Not stopping for anything, we also got a pair of dessert to finish the meal. 

The VANILLA PANNA COTTA with STRAWBERRY CONSOMME (250Php) isn't too much. Soft and buttery. That is the way I would describe its texture. You could really taste the vanilla. The sweet level is just right and not overpowering. I liked how you could eat this and not feel guilty afterwards.


Another one for the books would be WARM PEANUT BUTTER and CHOCOLATE FONDANT (250Php)
Salt Caramel and Chantilly.
Topped with dried orange, this dome like Fondant seems like a lava cake but it isn't. The outside is crunchy and the inside was a lovely surprise. The peanut butter taste is definitely present but not too overpowering.
The inside liquid doesn't leak out but stays its course within the crunchy shell.
The accompaniment of cream and macaron is a nice side trip to this dish.

Down to earth, simple and well executed would be the main characteristics of the food served. Service and attention to detail were exceptional. One question, one straight forward answer. Ambiance is modern and inviting. Who would have known that this fine dining establishment isn't really own by Shangrila but rather rents the place and has a restaurant and bar mogul behind it. Budget around 500-700Php for a nice treat. Definitely not for your everyday meal but its worthy of twice a month visit for diners but I guess once a week for wine drinkers just because of happy hour.

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By the way, this coming September 2, they would be hosting an event. I would suggest you go for it because its pretty much not everyday that you enjoy wines from Argentina paired with extra ordinary food.


MADISON'S BISTRO MODERNE
Ground Floor Edsa Shagrila Hotel,
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
7am-2am.
+6326314675 / +639369119838
http://www.madisonsbistromoderne.com/
FACEBOOK



Disclaimer: was invited to try out this restaurant. Thank you very much for Kim and to MADISON'S BISTRO MODERNE. Wrote this based on my experience.

 Menu as of 8-27-14; was advised that they changed this from time to time.
 
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