Miele Guide 2008

A few months back, Miele released their best restaurants in the Philippines for 2008. Below are the very deserving Miele winners (in noparticular order). Visiting all these is definitely one of my many goals for 2009!

Li Li

Shang Palace

Le Souffle at Fernando's

Lolo Dad's Cafe

Museum Cafe

Pepato

Abe

Cafe Via Mare

Chef Laudico Bistro Filipino

La Cocina de Tita Moning

Sentro 1771

Aubergine

Bizu Bistro

Chateau 1771

Prince Albert Rotisserie

Apartment 1B

Heat

The Fireplace

Bellini's

Italliani's

Sugi

Casa Armas Tapas Bar

El Cirkulo

Elbert's Steak Room

Old Swiss Inn

People's Palace

Antonio's Fine Dining

Highland's Steakhouse

Kanin Club

Sonya's Garden

La Cocina de Tita Moning

Welcomed by La Cocina’s very friendly staff, we started the night with appetizer by the open area veranda outside the ancestral house of the Legarda’s. We were served warm Queso de Bola Toast and iced tea which, by the way, both K and I agreed, tasted like watered down Halls honey flavored candy. It was good by the way, but just had this funny taste.

After our appetizer, Eden, our tour guide, showed us around the ancestral home of the Legarda’s, giving us a brief history of the Legarda clan and the collections that they have delicately preserved though the years. After the tour, we were guided to our table. Table for two, with rose petals all over. China and silvers wares all neatly lined up… and a bell that we’d use to call the attention of the staff if we need anything. Truly a fine dining experience.

Then our five-course supper began…

Soup. It was served in a small clay pot, Tita Moning’s Onion Soup was truly fantastic. I like the gooey texture of the melted mozzarella cheese on top of the toasted bread.

Salad. I would like it better if they had lettuce instead or arugula. Arugula seem to have a bitter aftertaste which I didn’t find pleasing. But other than that, the rest were all good – the flavors of mango, grapes, gorgonzola cheese and walnut vinaigrette all combined together create a satisfactory sensation that’s truly pleasant to taste.

Main course:

Whole Baked Lapu Lapu with Olive Oil and Garlic – this one’s runaway a winner! Baked with just a little olive oil, some seasoning and lots of garlic, a simple yet a healthy and hearty meal.

Lengua cooked in White Wine – this is probably the most tender and tasteful lengua that I have tried. Karl himself is not a lover of lengua but he was also very much impressed by how delicious this dish had came out.

Desserts!

Bread pudding. I must say this is truly one of Tita Moning’s most famous delicacies. A very sinful treat for sweet lovers like myself! Bread pudding topped with caramelized sugar and pili nuts. Although I skipped the nuts because I’m really not a fan of nuts, the bread pudding itself was already so good. 

Chocolate Pot Au Crème. 

This dessert comes very well with the bread pudding. Since the bread pudding instantly increases your blood sugar by a hundred and one percent, (yes, that’s how sweet the pudding was so be ready with a glass of water when trying this out!) this dessert balanced it out since it’s made of dark chocolates and topped with just slightly sweetened whipped cream.

And finally, Native Hot Chocolate to end our meal. I could really taste the bitterness of natural native cocoa. This drink is quite heavy too, so if you're already full, you might just want to have hot tea.

Overall rating:

Food – 5 stars

Price for Overall Dining Experience– 5 stars (a bit pricey, though, but all worth it!)

Ambiance – 5 stars 

Hospitality of Staff – 5 stars

La Cocina de Tita Moning

315 San Rafael Street,

San Miguel District, Manila

7342146 / 7342141

Amici

Amici is now open at SM Megamall’s newest wing - The Atrium.

From the moment that I first tasted the goodness of Amici's Cannelloni Agli Spinaci back when I was still taking my summer internship in college (this was just a few years back, though) - I already knew that it was love at first bite! :-)

Cannelloni Agli Spinaci

Fresh spinach stuffed in alternating flat lasagna layers topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese – absolutely a satisfying treat for the palate! Best paired with their panini - fresh seasoned ground meat pan-grilled with their very own white bread.

Le Polpette con Parmigiano

Love their gelato, too! For just P50 a cup, it's the cheapest quality gelato you can ever find in the Metro.