Crystal Room @ The Establishment
Related Post: The Establishment
Update time! There's a new chef in Establishment. Also, the secret French Restaurant, Crystal Room, has been open for quite some time. So this restaurant complex is now composed of the Tulipan - Spanish Tapas Bar, The Hall - new Japanese menu, and The Crystal Room - French Cuisine. I heard that the twelve-person, private dining Chef's table and the Asian Restaurant on the second floor will open in time for the holiday season. (Please email me if you are privy to the details of the opening date.)
I was pleasantly surprised that the prices in Crystal Room are quite affordable, given the top quality of French food. For P500 - P1,000 per head, you could already enjoy the elegance and quiet escape offered by this secret French restaurant in the Fort. Of course, they earn a lot from the overpriced cocktails and having you hang around in the Hall before and after your Crystal Room dining experience. But still, Crystal Room is the best French deal in town -- with great service from well-trained staff, sosy decor, and French food that even the French would love at an affordable price.
The narrow shape of the restaurant is quite unique in Manila. It is best to reserve one of the six half-moon tables where you have to scoot over to get inside. It is actually cozy and intimate -- people won't notice if you are playing footsie under the table. The extra chair is quite uncomfortable to sit on, though, especially when people pass by behind you. Nevertheless, you can easily while away your time here over great conversation with good friends or your special someone.
Finally, I was able to take a photo of all the menus in The Establishment. I would say that you probably need a budget of about P1,000 per head for dining and drinking (ex. when going on a romantic dinner for two).
The Crystal Room (French Cuisine) Lunch Menu:
Appetizers, Soups, Sandwiches, Salads
Eggs, Pasta, Main Courses
Desserts
Coffee and Tea | Cocktails, Sodas, Juices, Bottled Water, Imported Bottles
Mocktails, Crushed Sodas, Signature Drinks | The Crystal Room Wine List
The Hall (Japanese Cuisine) New Menu:
Appetizers, Salad, The Hall Special Hot Dishes
Tulipan (Spanish Tapas) Menu:
Tapas | Liquors and Spirits
I still don't trust their desserts, and I've never bothered to order. I heard that the Embassy guys will open a dessert-only restaurant/bar where Embassy used to be located.
The meal starts with a warm serving of French bread with a cute butter holder.
Salmon Tartare (P345). Norwegian Salmon, Organic Egg, Chives, Capers, Sour Cream, Lemon Vinaigrette.
I heard a lot of raves about the finely chopped raw salmon served in Crystal Room. It is good and you won't notice that it is raw, particularly once you mix it with the eggs and sour cream. It is served with 7 slices of crusty bread -- you can definitely share this with another person.
Fish and Chips (P325). Fried Cream Dory with Homemade Tartar Sauce and Golden Fries.
This dish is huge, probably good for 2-3 persons. The fries are not that oily and the fish was fried well. I'm not a fish-and-chips expert, but I heard that it's really good compared to its competitors out there.
Pan-Seared U.S. Beef Tenderloin with Lychee Truffle Sauce (P885). Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin (200grams), with roasted seasonal, mixed vegetables.
If you're in the mood for steak (like I was), you get to have three choices here: 1) have it grilled in Red Wine Pepper sauce; 2) have it with Cafe de Paris (a butter based sauce for steaks/meats. Its butter with herbs etc.. but not runny butter.); and 3) have it pan-seared with Lychee Truffle Sauce. I chose the third option.
The Lychee Truffle Sauce is quite interesting because it gives a sweet finish to every steak bite. I was taking my time, savoring each slice, carefully pairing bits of lychee and roasted vegetables with my steak. Highly Recommended for a different steak experience.
Thanks to Godfrey for dropping by at our table and having a chat with us. I always appreciate it when the Chef personally socializes with guests and ensures that they have a pleasant experience.
The Crystal Room @ The Establishment
Godfrey Laforteza, Executive Chef
Unit A- The Fort Entertainment Complex
26th Street corner 5th Avenue
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634
Mobile: +63 908 880-0068
Telephone: +632 844 4487 / 844-6364
Email: glaforteza@establishment.com.ph
Visit www.establishment.com.ph
Live an Awesome Life,
Anton Diaz
Founder, OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627)
Email: anton@diaz.ph
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