HÁLONG

Halong was an unforgettable experience, the cold sesame noodles… I’m still dreaming about them! Small and beautifully decorated restaurant. You can tell they have utilised the available space really well. The food was next level. Some of our favourites- Uni toast, red snapper toast and the cold sesame noodles! All amazing! And the cocktails were great too, really unique and paired well with the food. We also had both sticky rice churro and the almonds olive oil cake - wow!!! I’m not usually a dessert eater but these were phenomenal! We also had the pleasure of meeting the chef! Great thins to come, would definitely go back when I visit Manila again!

We celebrated a very late Valentines date here at Halong! The place has a very elegant vibe to it... similar to a tasting menu resto. Star of the night goes to the Fish Tostadas! We had to order two, just so we could taste it again -- smoked Pampano was fresh, and you can taste the fresh salsa macha, honey and garlic, yum yum! We also got the Crab Tostada, also good, but hands down, the Fish version was way better. I am a fan of Uni... so when we got the Uni Toast, I really liked them! Very light, not briny and full of flavor. If they served these in a slightly bigger portion, this may have a chance to beat the Fish Tostada. The Cold Sesame Noodles were also good, clean and filling, with the that kick of chili and spices. Unfortunately, the Lapu-Lapu came more than 30mins late, we thought that it was a show stopper. However, it was overly seasoned and very salty. Not the best bite of the night. Got the Mocktails too... but they were both overly sweet, should have ordered the ones with alcohol. Reserve if you must, this place easily gets packed. Enjoy!😊

Hálong Restaurant features Asian fusion by Cara Davis (who’s got a really impressive culinary background that spans multiple countries, Mexico most notably). I have been here numerous times already. This place is a real gem. The food is interesting with a menu that is creative yet simple, featuring mostly small plates (I particularly enjoyed the uni toast, the oysters and the fish tostada). The service was just right, unobtrusive yet efficient and thoughtful. I appreciate the Philippine-inspired interior design (by Cara’s brother), particularly the well-spaced table layout. They have a spacious dining bar too. The crowd noise is pleasant. I’m a bit envious that they got to locate in First Midland Condominium, an old building that I have long considered an excellent spot and space for a restaurant (right across the Washington Sycip Park on Gamboa St, Legazpi Village, where parking is really convenient). This is a restaurant that has got real heart and soul. They’ve earned my respect and admiration. If it isn’t obvious to you yet, I am fawning.

Excitement was building up the moment we set sight on the building. The interiors looked amazing with the Michelin logo welcomes you at the entrance. The ambiance is really giving and you can relax while dinning as the space is not overcrowded and has the luxury of having high ceilings. Service was also good and the staff was easily accessible. Despite these positive points, my rating was held back by the food. Not one dish was bad but there wasn’t any that really stood out and would entice us to come back for more. Really enjoyed the duck but preferred to eat it with the crackers than the toast. Bone marrow had the most interesting flavor combination but was not exactly a meal than a very indulgent appetizer. The other dishes were okay and we finished every meal that was served. Were our expectations set high? Perhaps, but would have loved it better to be proven wrong and have an exquisite dining experience.

Halong offers a well-executed mix of flavors that leans slightly toward fusion cuisine, blending Japanese, Filipino, and Italian influences in a thoughtful way. While the dishes themselves aren’t particularly groundbreaking, the execution is excellent, and everything we tried was well-prepared and balanced. The Pampano on Toast and Shrimp Ceviche was delicious. The Bone marrow had a really nice tangy glaze. The Bangus was tasty and well-seasoned, though a bit on the heavier side. Shout out to the churros, the malt ice cream was heavenly. Service was great, attentive without being intrusive, and the restaurant’s setting is refined yet relaxed, with a tasteful local design.

For most part, Hálong lives up to the hype. The best tasting dishes are the snapper crudo (₽750), grilled baby corn (₽440), ensaladang talong (₽580) and the grilled squid (₽750). Still good but a notch below are the red snapper toast, uni toast, cold sesame noodles and the chips and dip. Pass on the karaage (too sweet) and the shrimp ceviche (needs more acid). All dishes are artfully plated and match the minimalist Asian vibe of the interior.

We loved everything we ordered but the Chawanmushi, Cold Sesame Noodles, and Roasted Mushrooms were the most memorable. The service staff were very hospitable and attentive. They're on the pricier side but the dining experience was worth it!

6.5/10 Food unfortunately missed the mark The snapper kinilaw was a 10/10, but unfortunately the other 4 dishes I ordered were moderate at best. Great atmosphere and outstanding service but food was so-so.