THIS week, we focus on a chain that has made its name via its Italian fare, a province-based enterprise that dared join the crowded Metro Manila enclave of eateries, offering the rare Red Egg Ice cream, and a fine restaurant serving authentic Thai food executed by a Scottish chef!
Cibo
We visited Cibo on the second level of Alabang Town Center (tel. 8427285). This chain is all over Metro Manila, and has gained big following from pasta and pizza lovers.
Dining area. It has a long table against the wall and a few others scattered in the small but functional space. The glass wall has yellow stick-ons printed in black with names of dishes and ingredients. The place is always bustling with patrons coming in and out.
For an overflow, tables and chairs are set outside, right in front of the restaurant.
Staff. Always ready with the menu and take orders quickly. They are in white shirts and black trousers. Polite and efficient.
Service. Fast as expected. Requests for split orders are accommodated.
Suggested Meal. No one can go wrong by starting with a refreshing drink of either Red or White Grape Shake. Then choose your first course. This Quiet Diner opted for Alforno Crostini with Spinach Zola, followed by Penne Ala Florentina, pasta cooked with sausages, cream and fennel. We punctuated the meal with Torta di Choco Mato, almond cake with Raspberry preserve with brewed coffee. Great meal, really.
Usual charges (service and government taxes) are imposed.
Rating -***
People’s Palace
Ground Level, Greenbelt 3, facing the Chapel. The name could evoke Chinese cuisine, but no, this serves Thai and very well, kudos to the Scottish chef.
Dining area. Bright and airy. It is one big hall done in eggshell white and ‘café au lait’, no dividers in between, no sections except the little nook up at the end of the hall. High ceiling, good acoustics.
Staff. Articulate, attentive, efficient, knowledgeable. There are enough of them so that customers do not wait long for attention.
Service. We like the modern crockery, slightly dip dinner plates, etc. Orders are taken as soon as one gets seated and food comes fast.
Suggested meal. To start, order the Lemongrass-Ginger Infused Tea, then try the popular Crispy Fish (hito) Salad, with mangoes and special dressing. We must have been unconsciously carbo-loading that we had Rice with Bagoong (only a hint) and the traditional Phad Thai Noodles. This we combined with an order of Crispy Fish Fillet with Red Curry. The usual Thai dessert (Thai Thako) is no longer done in the familiar banana leaf squares. It is now served in regular size rice bowl, more substantial, but lacking its usual charm. The coffee list is a bit funny, instead of using “&” to signify a different blend, the + sign is placed between the choices. So we got confused with the line: “Espresso + Latté”. We thought this was new, but the waiter was quick to clarify. Anyway, our friend could not help blurting out “delicious” after the meal.
Usual charges are imposed.
Rating -***
Pampanga legend
Butchie’s Recipes of La Moderna, Pampanga, the newest dining cum store in Greenhills, has “migrated” from its base in Guagua, Pampanga, where La Moderna Bakery has carved a niche with its famous old-fashioned biscuits and breads.
The new venture is on the ground floor of the Health Cube building, 226 Wilson, Greenhills, Mandaluyong (tel. no. 385-0387/844-7593).
Dining area. Small, therefore cozy. Can accommodate no more than 20 diners. The interior is done in off-white with touches of yellow. The tables and chairs are arranged from the entrance to the elevated portion where the store is.
Staff. Three gracious girls in white uniforms worn with brown aprons.
Service. More like one is eating in a no-frills small-size restaurant. Orders are taken, after one sorts out his or her choices from the food warmers, preparation of plated meals is quickly executed.
Suggested meal. No frills, flavorful food. This diner began our meal with refillable Ice Pandan Tea. Then we had Rellenong Ampalaya, Beef Calitiran, cooked slowly with mushrooms gravy, a must in natural flavor and the Chicken Tropical, all Pampanga specialties. The unique Red Egg Ice Cream, yes the salted egg, made into a cheesy-tasting concoction, capped our meal.
Buy and take home bakery products from the store. Biscuits some people grew up with but are now rare, are there—like the Gorgoria, the Sampaquita and the San Nicolas. Great to bring home to family and ideal to give as Christmas presents. Go visit Butchie’s, have a satisfying meal and select goodies to give this holiday season.
Usual charges are imposed.
Rating -**
