Artemio Gabriel T.
Google
We came here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Upon arriving, a staff member greeted us in front of the restaurant and guided us to the parking area. All the staff were genuinely smiling (not awkwardly) and very welcoming. The ambiance was great, full of positivity (which I attribute to the staff's genuine warmth). The place is quiet enough for conversation and light chitchat, yet not to the point of absolute silence.
The food was truly great! We ordered the Edamame Hummus, Kesong Puti, Alimango Carbonara, Osso Buco, Americano, and Cappuccino. The Edamame Hummus tasted so good. It was creamy, nutty, and with a slight hint of acidity. The pan seared Kesong Puti was also great, it was seared with calamansi juice and paired with a honey garlic sauce and sea salt on the side, creating a sweet and savory flavor profile with a pleasant acidic kick from the calamansi.
We were pleasantly surprised by the Alimango Carbonara, as it had absolutely no fishy taste or smell. The pasta was al dente, the sauce was creamy and savory, and the alimango flakes provided a rich flavor and texture to the dish (I thought it might be a mix of alimango and bread crumbs due to a slight crunch in every bite, but I'm not certain). The Osso Buco was incredibly tender and soft, perfectly paired with a delicious sweet potato purée. My wife doesn't typically eat sweet potato, but she finished half the bowl, that's how great it was. The accompanying gremolata sauce elevated the flavors of the dish to a whole new level. When you combine the meat, purée, and gremolata sauce in one bite, the flavors explode in your mouth—sweet, savory, and a hint of zest. At the end of our meal, they gave us a free dessert(since we were celebrating our wedding anniversary). We were so full but we still got room for cake and coffee. Surprisingly, coffee was good! Bold and balance flavor for my Americano. Bitterness was not overpowering and it was not acidic either. For the cappuccino, no fancy latte art, just pure innocent cup. Creamy, velvety texture but not too milky. It was not bitter, not sour, but balanced and rich cup.
The dishes were served with a brief explanation of how they were prepared and their origins. As a customer, it was nice to know those things. The staff genuinely knew their menu well. Considering we did not make any reservations, it was thoughtful of them to inquire about any occasion we might have been celebrating. Not to mention, they were full of vigor and hospitality during our entire visit.
We've been to many cafes and restaurants in Manila and can't help but compare them. From food quality to price, even the coffee, this place is better than some we've visited. The price felt reasonable, the quantity was proportionate to the cost, and the food quality was exquisite. Our total cost was 3,060.89 for those who want to know.