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IMPRESSIONS Sunday Brunch Buffet - A Foodie's Buffet Favorite :)

IMPRESSIONS by Maxim Hotel has an interesting Sunday Brunch buffet strategy -- they only have 3 stations (hot, cold, and dessert) that serve limited but high quality food using only the finest ingredients in the buffet.

Foodies love it because it is not overwhelming but satisfying, and you can savor each of the carefully curated item in the buffet by Chef Cyrille Soenen also known as Cicou. Also, foodies love the live stations where the food is only cooked or prepared upon order -- as many as you like.

Here are some tips to enjoy the Impressions Sunday Buffet and highlighting our favorites:

Best Sunday Brunch Series 2013:

• SOFITEL: SPIRAL's Ultimate Sunday Champagne Brunch!?
• IMPRESSIONS Sunday Brunch Buffet - A Foodie's Buffet Favorite :)
• MARRIOTT CAFE Sunday Brunch Buffet Crossover with CRU STEAKHOUSE!
  
• RAFFLES & FAIRMONT SPECTRUM Luxe Sunday Brunch!
• DUSIT THANI: Sunday Family Brunch Buffet (Umu and Basix Crossover)

BRASSERIE CICOU: Best Family-Friendly French Bistro in Manila!

I'm quite hesitant to eat in French restos in Manila when I'm with my family because they usually have that snooty stigma. Plus, they alway come with big price tags that sometimes don't match the yumminess of the food.

Brasserie Cicou has changed that for me by offering an affordable and yummy menu, a homey ambiance and, best of all, a play area section for kids!

Here is a look at Cicou and some of our recommendations...

Best French Restos in Manila:

• Cicou @ Celeste and Cicou Ala Carte Buffet Power Breakfast (now Brasserie Cicou)
• Chef Alain Raye's La Regalade in Manila!
• La Cuisine Francaise
• Le Bistro d'Agathe - Puerto Galera's Famous French Bistro replaces Fat Michael's
• Aidan's Je Suis Gourmand Birthday Dinner (now renamed to Champêtre)

Le Bistro d'Agathe - Puerto Galera's Famous French Bistro replaces Fat Michael's

I was taken aback that the pioneer in Manila's hole-in-the-wall romantic places, Fat Michael's, has ceased operations in Makati already. We loved the kitschy ambiance and the food (even if a lot of people criticized it for its cocky service). It has now officially moved to The Frazzled Cook.

When we got to Le Bistro d'Agathe, I couldn't help but ask French Chef Patrice Delobbe on what happened to Fat Michael's, which prompted him to ask me if I came for Fat Michael's or to try out Le Bistro d'Agathe. (Good point, Chef. :) )

It was only then that I learned that Le Bistro d'Agathe was a popular establishment in Puerto Galera. After 2+ years, Chef Patrice decided to move back to Manila and bring his authentic French Bistro to the metro.

I was pleasantly surprised that a French resto of this caliber could price its offerings reasonably well. The food is really good and Chef  Patrice sees to it that he cooks the food himself.

Le Petit Artisan, Authentic French Bakery in Greenbelt 5 :)

Another authentic French bakery recently opened in town -- Le Petit Artisan in Greenbelt 5. It's a bakery owned by Frenchman James Rondane, who has been selling his assortment of bread in the Salcedo and Legaspi Markets. The Max Brenner group partnered with him to set up Le Petit Artisan.

La Cuisine Francaise

La Cuisine Francaise by Michele d' Orival first got its cult foodie following when it opened in the Salcedo Saturday Market. Also, every time it joined foodie events like Pink Kitchen, foodies raved about the homemade French cuisine. Finally, its French Deli/Restaurant was set up in Salcedo Village, directly across Apartment 1B. It is refreshing to see good and reliable French food available everyday (even on Sunday) and as late as 12mn for dine in or take out in the heart of Makati.

Alexandre's Authentic French Bakery, Cafe (and Lounge soon...)

Update April 18, 2012: This restaurant is now closed and replaced by Harvest Gastro Pub in BGC.

Have you ever wondered what is the true taste of a French croissant?

The authentic croissant is crusty on the outside, soft like a pillow inside and, best of all, it's not oily. (Although Mila said it should be flaky not pillowy. See a Parisian Croissant by MM.) The secret of the French croissant is in the baking technique and the special European oven used to bake it. Also, raw butter is used (instead of margarine), which gives it flavor and blends perfectly with the bread itself.

Now Manila can enjoy French breads and pastries from Alexandre, the first authentic French Bakery and Cafe -- named after its French owner.