Dine in the Med, Philippine style (Restaurants in Manila)

Member Name: dragonone

Product:	Restaurants in Manila
Date:	11/03/02 (434 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good food, good price, Good service, good company

Disadvantages: Cant think of any

Date: Saturday 29 December 2001, Time: 9pm Location: Makati City, Manila Philippines

My wife, Lynn, is finally ready to go out for a meal, I have been promising her this since I took her brothers out the previous Saturday for a lad’s night. We had considered dining at The Hard Rock Café, however we were bored with eating in the Glorietta Centre, so we wandered around outside. I know a more organised husband would have booked somewhere, but I also know my wife takes some time to get ready and we like doing unplanned things.

As we wandered outside Glorietta 4 in Makati City, we walk past Shoemart, turn left round the corner and found a number of restaurants including Azzoros. Azzoros specialises in Mediterranean cuisine with dishes from the South of France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

On entering the well-lit restaurant, we are greeted warmly and given the option of a smoking or non-smoking table, we went for the non-smoking. The waiter, who greeted us, showed us to our table, presented us with the menu, a bottle of water and left us to ponder our choices and soak up the atmosphere. As we listened to the relaxing cords of a well-played Spanish guitar, another waited appeared to offer us drinks and place breadsticks on the table.

The Restaraunt had a distinct Mediterranean décor with a generic Mediterranean fishing village mural occupying one wall. The opposite wall was covered in a full mirror giving the illusion of light and space. The clientele were a mix of middle class Filipinos with a smattering of foreign tourists from the local hotels. Although the restaurant was full, it was not crowded.

A waiter appeared instantly when we indicated we were ready to order. I selected an Australian rib-eye steak and Lynn choose the Paella Nero. While we waited, we talked of the days events, sipped our drinks and consumed the bread sticks.

My steak arrived first along with a complimentry salad for Lynn as the paella was
not quite ready. A couple of minutes later the Paella arrived fresh from the oven. The steak was a full 12 ounces of lean meat, rare as specified, seared and accompanied by olive mashed potato, garlic butter and an oxtail dressing drizzled around the meat. The succulent and tender meat melted in the mouth. The mash was perfect and simply superb. Once the garlic butter was melted into the mash the whole became heavenly. Lynn reported the Paella was equally excellent. For those who do not know, a Paella Nero is very much like the Paella we know ‘Paella Valencia’ with rice, chicken, muscles, shrimps, squid etc. The main difference is that instead of cooking the dish in chicken stock, squid ink is used. This produces a disk of a blue/black hue rather than the traditional golden saffron.

When we indicated we had completed this course, a waiter cleared away the plates and offered dessert. After a little persuasion, Lynn selected a Mango châteaux – A light biscuit cup filled with whipped mango cream and mango slices. I chose a mango cheesecake. Both were served within a couple of minutes of ordering, were good sized portions, well presented and tasted extremely good. Despite protesting that she was full before the dessert was served, Lynn rapidly polished hers off. Real English Tea followed, however we did have to request milk and sugar.

Conclusion & cost

To anyone visiting the Makati area of Manila, this restaurant is well worth a visit. The staff were warm and friendly, attentive to our needs without being obtrusive. The food could not have been better or presented in any other way. The cost for the steak, Paella, desserts, and four cokes was 1450Php (£21). We left a 250Php tip.

Summary: