« August 2006 | Main | October 2006 »
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Serendra Piazza: Restaurant Index
Here are the restaurants I've tried in Serendra. Check these out first and I'll be updating this mini-Index on Serendra Piazza.
Restaurant Index
Mezzaluna-First Night High!
Aloha Polu Kai!
Cupcakes+Sonja: Opening Nights
Oh my Guava!
Sonja's Cupcakes--- Creating the Cupcake Craze in the Philippines?
Related Posts
Piazza Serendra slowly coming to life...
Enjoy!
September 28, 2006 in 35. The Best of Serendra and Boni High Street | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Aloha Polu Kai!
One of the firsts Hawaiian-themed restaurant in Manila. I did not know what to expect when we would say Hawaiian food but you could imagine how the ambiance would feel like. I think this is the first time I've eaten in a Hawaiian restaurant so I don't know if it really should be hot and spicy or is it a fusion of western and asian food. The restaurant is full of tikis which could be scary for some kids but we were glad that it did not affect Aidan. The waiters would greet you with an "Aloha" welcome and wave a "Mahalo" good bye. The initial feedback from the people that have eaten here is not that positive (see Eye Candy's Polu Kai reaction). The "tiki" ambiance creates excitement in the dining experience but the food, indeed, needs improvement. I'm sure it would still improve after two months in operation.
Here is the menu so that you can prepare yourselves on what to expect when eating here.
Soup, Salads and Appetizers
Grilled and Main Courses
Pizza, Sidings and Desserts
BTW, just a word of caution, I've eaten in most of the Serendra restaurants and you should expect about 20% premium in most of the restaurants here. I'm not sure if the intent is just to attract the upper middle class or rich crowd; or the Serendra rent is really more expensive than most establishments. Check out the food and a detailed look at the restaurant. I'm sure you have eaten here if you have been in Serendra, so let me know how is your experience.
A Big Aloha would greet you as you walk in the store. Wood and Tikis (those nasty looking faces) are the overall theme for the restaurant.
As starters, we had this...
Devil Shrimp (P195). Indeed, the hottest shrimp dish in town! We liked the taste of this seafood, crunchy and chewy shrimp but don't expect a Si Chuan type hotness. We loved this sizzling dish and this has been the best menu item that we have tasted.
To satisfy our cravings for more food, we had to order more.
D Polu Kai Baby Back Ribs (P730). They say it was grilled "falling off the bone" and I say, it is definitely not so. My friend recommended it that is why we agreed to pay P730 for it but we were disappointed. With its price, you are better off eating in Tony Roma's and without being disappointed with the tastiness of its meat. It is like bland meat coated with "their own secret special sauce" (which is very good) but the meat was not well marinated (i think.).
Crispy Creamy Fish (P330). Pan fried fish fillet with sze chuan peppercorn cream sauce served with garlic pilaf and vegetables. The fish lacks taste and freshness. Lets leave it at that.
Not to be outdone is the dessert,
Polu Kai Fried Banana (P170). Fried banana in caramel syrup served with ice cream. We found it easy to make at home but after eating the desserts in Mezzaluna, this won't stand a chance.
As you go out, these tikis would greet you, "Mahalo! "
CONTACTS:
Polu Kai @ Serendra Piazza
(I don't think you need to reserve since there are plenty spaces for walk-in guests.)
September 27, 2006 in 35. The Best of Serendra and Boni High Street | Permalink | Comments (26) | TrackBack
Cupcakes+Sonja: Opening Nights
Cupcakes by Sonja's Baby Models :) Yummy, Indeed!
At last, Sonja's Cupcakes finally opened in Serendra last Thursday Sept. 21. They are usually open from 3pm-9pm since the cupcakes are baked in the morning. We usually go at night, but most of the cupcakes (at least the best ones) would be sold by then. The cupcakes ranges from P50-P80 per piece and it is usually addicting that you get to buy two at a minimum. Sonja is getting a lot of trials and repeat customers which signifies that this is a start of something good :) The place is quite homey with the retro bakeshop feel to it which I believe, perfectly matches with the Serendra concept. She is still selling a limited assortment of the cupcakes and usually produces to sell fresh within the day. The cupcakes would only get better over time as the staff would be trained and become an expert in baking the cupcakes.
Have you tried this yet? Let me know what you think.
Related Posts:
>> Sonja's Cupcakes--- Creating the Cupcake Craze in the Philippines?
>> Cupcakes by Sonja: Soft Opening
I love it when the owner is always in the store. It gives a warm and personal touch to the Sonja's cupcakes experience and she is very friendly so don't forget to say hi to her.
I was ecstatic to see this! One of my blog post about Sonja's has been framed and posted on the wall :) When I asked Sonja for a free copy of the press kit with the CD, I asked her to autograph my press kit copy (naks). Surprisingly, she reciprocated with the idea for me to sign my blog posts hanged on the wall. It was fun joking around with the signatures since we are not really a celebrity.
Btw, I only get to know Sonja through my blog and the first time I met her was when I ordered a dozen of the assorted cupcakes.
My Top 5 Cupcake Favorites!
1. Melt-in-your-mouth Flourless Chocolate Cupcake. Dense Valrhona flourless chocolate with rich velvety texture. Dissolves in your mouth with pure sublime Flavor.
2. Creme Brulee Cupcake Tart- Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee with a sweetened Cupcake Short Crust
3. Heavenly Pistachio - Pistachio Dacquoise with flaky almond praline and pistachio bavarian.
4. Sweet Pleasures -- Layers of creamy milk chocolate mouse with a flaky hazelnut praline crust and thin plates of milk chocolate.
5. Berries and Cream -- Brown butter almond cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream icing.
Coming Soon! Cupcakes (Complete Lineup)
Sonja with cupcake lover, Aidan :) Congratulations on a great opening, Sonja! Wishing you all the best :)
Cupcakes by Sonja L. Ocampo
1C03 Serendra Piazza, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel no. 856-0308
Mobile: +63 906 477 0833
cupcakesbysonja@gmail.com
>> Chocolat Cakes -- Best Chocolate Dessert Place in Mall of Asia!
>> Sebastian's Ice Cream @ Shepherd's Staff, Mall of Asia
>> a Fleur de Lys Discounted Experience
September 27, 2006 in 35. The Best of Serendra and Boni High Street | Permalink | Comments (28) | TrackBack
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Mezzaluna-First Night High!
Chef Carlo Miguel chatting with Aidan :)
What is the probability of having 4 tables celebrating birthdays at the opening night of a restaurant which also falls on a monday? A slim chance perhaps, but it was indeed a blessing when Mezzaluna opened last Sept. 25 on such rare circumstances. On my mom's birthday, we again decided to check out Piazza @ Serendra, and we were fortunate enough to eat on Mezzaluna's 7pm opening night. Also, Baby Lopez with all the owners were celebrating his wife's birthday and there were two other birthday celebrants on that night. We were fortunate enough that the owners decided to give each table 10% discount and 2 free complimentary desserts! Amazing night, indeed :) Happy Happy Birthday to Momsy and to all the birthday celebrants!
Finally, I was able to taste the culinary delights created by Chef Carlo Miguel. The Chef Miguels (Carlo + brother, Anton who is now in Australia), are famous at one time for catering to special events/ occasions and they usually cooked at the venue itself (could be your own home). I had many failed attempts in the past to schedule such events with these Chefs, and that is why I was so curious to check them out when they opened Mezzaluna in Serendra. This is already their second restaurant and a more upscale version of their first one located in Legaspi Village. Have you been there? It would be nice to know what you think of this restaurant. If this is your first time to hear of this restaurant then let me share with you our experience at Mezzaluna last night.
( P.S. Finally, I got to blog again and get back to the blogging grove. I'm happy that I don't have any more business trips until December -- yahoo! )
The place is small and it can accommodate, I estimate about 50 people. I love the high ceiling and the lovely sentimental music that plays in the background. I also like the fact that the kitchen is open and you can see how your food is prepared. The owners are very nice and I think all of them came to visit our table and greeted my mom, a Happy Birthday.
This is an upscale version so at first you'll be shocked at the prices but this is definitely a special place for dating or celebrating special occasions.
Check out their menu: Mezzaluna Appetizer and Main Course Menu. (Take note of the "Introductory Prices Inclusive of VAT".)
Tournedos Rossini (P1150). Roasted USDA Angus Bistro Fillet side by side with potato gellete, sauteed foie gras and truffle jus. A Mezzaluna Favorite!
The benchmark for fine dining restaurants these days is how well they cooked the foie gras. This is definitely melt-in-your-mouth foie gras! My wife can't get enough of it, but we have to be extra careful of the calories that comes with it :) The Angus beef was OK and I had a mistake of ordering medium well which turned out to be well done.
Fish Of The Day (P530). Seated on Linguini Pasta, Cream Fraiche, Snow Peas and Mussels
The fish of the day was the Lapu-Lapu and this tasted ordinary. Nothing special.
Rosemary Chicken (P600). Together with Pumpkin, Mustard Braised Spring Onion and Asparagus
It reminded me of Andok's Lechon Manok and I could have ordered 3 full chicken with its price :)
Crisp Skin Salmon (P600). Topped with Roasted Tomato and Onion while seated on crushed lemon oil potato
This is a must try! Crispy skin with very tasty textured meat with saturated (norwegian?) salmon color. Oh, we loved this, and you will completely forget how much it costs.
Also, it was funny that the chef asked me if I was taking pictures for a publication and I told him it was just for personal (blog) purposes. He said that if it was for a magazine, he would style the food differently. But see, I love my food photography to be true and honest. Frankly, I love the way it was styled when they served our food.
We loved the Desserts and I know this should have been served first :) If there is a reason to go back to Mezzaluna, it would be the desserts!
Caramelized Banana Tart Tatin with Hazelnut Gelato (P225).
Can we have more of that hazelnut gelato, please? Ang sarap! This dessert is a perfect combination of Banana, Caramel and Hazelnut taste.
Valrhona Dark Chocolate Marquise (P250). Surrounded with Vanilla sauce and Topped Cotton Candy
When I saw the cotton candy, I suddenly reminisce my childhood days when I get to have my own cotton candy stick (which made me fat when I was a child). Another melt-in-your-mouth dessert that you gotta have especially for those who want to be awake all night long. Its dark chocolate's richness is so addicting that you'll be surprised that it's gone in just a few minutes! Bravo for this innovative creation!!
Yoghurt and Honey Panna Cotta (P180). With Spiced Oranges
Nicely done. The spiced orange gave a new twist to the panna cotta. Minimalist both in design and taste.
Meet Chef Carlo Miguel and his chef protege, Aidan. Too bad, his brother, Anton is no longer here to share the limelight with his brother.
Wonderful restaurant and wonderful owners!! Thank you very much for a memorable birthday celebration for my mom!!
Mezzaluna @ Piazza, Serendra!
(oops, I forgot to ask their phone number in case you want to reserve.)
Mezzaluna
U-1C-01-02 Ground Floor, Serendra Piazza, The Fort, Makati City
Ground Floor Value Point Executive Apartment
227 Salcedo St. Legazpi Village, Makati City
Tel# +632 818-01-06
Opens on Monday-Friday 12nn-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm; Saturday 6-10:30pm
September 26, 2006 in 35. The Best of Serendra and Boni High Street | Permalink | Comments (17) | TrackBack
Friday, September 22, 2006
Gary V-- Still the best after 23 years!
You got to watch Gavy V @ 23 this coming Sunday on Channel 2 after Pinoy Dream Academy. This is one of the best Gary V concert that I've seen. We watched the last show last Sept. 8 and all the Gary V fans out there would agree that after 23 years, Gary V. still has that magic. There will also be a re-run in October in Music Museum, maybe you might want to catch that instead.
What I like about the show is that they used rectangular LCD panels to enhance the performances. I've seen this used also in musical broadway shows. In the particular photo above, the rectangular LCD screens transformed into large speakers as Gary and son, Gaby danced passionately to the song "Di Bale Na Lang." This is only one of the attractions in the show and I'll give you a sneak peek on this concert.
BTW, Let me know what you think after watching the concert this Sunday in TV.
I had a hard time capturing this photo, because of the bright lights from the video screens/ projector. But I'm glad I was able to capture this moment.
This was a cool treat from Gary singing "Huwag mo na Sana" with his daughter, Keana Valenciano as back-up vocals in the background video.
Gary serenading the crowd. This is one of the kilig moments and my wife wish that we bought the center tickets.
Gary and Gaby playing with techno music from their mac powerbook.
This was hilarious! Gary V imitating Martin and his facial expressions.
Booganda jamming with Gary V with the medley of Hataw na, Sayaweh, and Shout for Joy! This was fun and these band group is coincidentally from the pep squad of Lasalle Greenhills --- Animo Lasalle!
Encore Song. Gary sings a dedicated to Kristine Hermosa who was celebrating her birthday, as requested by Diether Ocampo. They were seated in the middle so this is an incentive for buying those center aisle tickets.
September 22, 2006 in 13. Awesome Happenings in Manila circa 2005 onwards | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
