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Monday, March 5, 2012

Casa Roces Malacañan's Food Menu

Casa Roces Malacañan's food menu is all about Filipino food made luxurious! =) Every meal that we usually take for granted and ordinarily cooked in our own homes are served in a way that is served in fine dine restaurants... pleasing to the eyes and to our taste.

As Philippines have been colonized by countries before, that goes to say that the food in itself is influenced by these countries; thus we made our own unique flavors through these. Still, the hint of Spanish, Western and Chinese influences are seen and will always be a part of our Filipino cuisine.

Kape Chino

Casa Roces Malacañan's food menu under Kape Chino

Kape Chino Menu

Appetizers

Salad

Soup
Entrees
Pasta
Sandwiches
Savory
Merienda Fare
Breakfast Menu
Desserts
Beverages
Cakes
Hot Coffee
Cold Coffee

Appetizers, Salad and Soup

Appetizers

Bacalao Caviar Pate P425.00

Warm creamy salt cod and potato pate topped with black caviar and served with warm baguette

Choritos En Balsamico P295.00

Crispy fried Spanish pork sausages drizzled with balsamic syrup

Mussels Ala Roces P355.00

Chilled lemon and olive oil-dressed mussel salad with chili and arugula

Salad

Crispy Lengua Caesar Salad P145.00

Classic salad of romaine lettuce, garlic anchovy dressing topped with crunchy deep fried ox tongue croutons

Marinated Artichoke Salad P160.00

Chilled salad of hearts of artichoke, pimientos, olives and cherry tomatoes with rustic balsamic-olive oil vinaigrette

Warm Breaded Goat Cheese Salad P195.00
Pan-fried goat cheese with rocket and salad mesclun

Soup

Sopa Molo Castiliana P185.00

A rich garlic soup with pork dumplings, poached egg and parsley

Onion Soup Gratin P125.00

Sweet onions in a flavorful broth topped with gruyere caramelized crouton

Truffle Mushroom Puree P190.00
A delicious thick mushroom soup from fresh mushrooms

Cafe Amapola Nostalgia P95.00

Creamy carrot and potato puree topped with crispy potato allumette

Entrees

Entrees

Lengua in Mushroom-Cognac Sauce P330.00

Fork tender sliced braised ox tongue in a mushroom cream sauce

Callos Ala Abolita P260.00

Soft tripe stew with chorizos and chick peas

Ox Tail Kare-Kare P240.00

Braised ox tail in peanut sauce with vegetables and sauteed shrimp paste

Bulalo Steak Ala Pobre P285.00

Pan-seared tender beef shank topped with fried garlic

Visayan Chicken Inasal P245.00

Grilled lemongrass-flavored chicken quarters with annatto oil

Grilled Pork Ribs P235.00

Barbecued marinated pork belly

Pork Belly Humba P245.00

Softened pork belly stew with soy, peanuts and fermented black beans

Pork Stew Binagoongan P265.00

Crunchy pork belly over sauteed shrimp paste

Pinakbet with Vigan Bagnet P195.00

Stewed vegetables in a fermented fish-flavored broth topped with crunchy pork

Bouillabaise de la Casa Roces P210.00

Seafood stew in a rich tomato broth

Pan-Fried Sole Ala Beure Noisette P220.00

Pan-fried sole fillets with butter and capers

Oven-Baked Salmon Wellington P380.00

Boursin cheese and salmon baked in a rich pastry crust with a spinach lemon cream sauce

Baked Vegetables Provencale P340.00

Stewed provencale vegetables in a crisp phyllo crust with a mushroom soy milk reduction

Pasta, Sandwiches and Savory

Pasta

Fettuccine with Bleu Cheese and Roasted Mushrooms P185.00

Bleu cheese and sliced mushrooms on top of creamy fettuccine

Fideos with Spanish Chorizo Ala Diablo P255.00

Spanish-inspired pasta dish of sliced chorizo and paprika

Spaghettini Gambas Ala Jillo P195.00

Sauteed shrimps and garlic on top of angel hair pasta

Sandwiches

Casa Roces Club P245.00

Double-decker ciabatta sandwich with layers of bacon, cheese, chicken inasal, tomatoes and cucumber

Ham and Cheese Sandwich P240.00

Classic ham and cheese ciabatta sandwich with mushrooms

Gourmet Tapa Sandwich P235.00

Beef tenderloin tapa with tomatoes and egg in ciabatta

Savory

Vigan Longganisa Empanada P115.00

The Ilocano's staple Vigan Longganisa enclosed in a flaky crust

Tuna Mushroom Turnover P75.00

Pastry filled with a rich and creamy tuna filling with bits of mushrooms

Ensaymada P65.00

A classic Filipino favorite

Soft bread, mainly of Spanish influence, generously topped with cheese

Merienda Fare and Breakfast Menu

Merienda Fare

Pancit Palabok P195.00

Rice noodles with savory shrimp sauce, smoked fish flakes and pork cracklings

Pancit Bam-I P175.00

Sauteed fresh miki noodles with chicken, shrimps and Chinese chorizos

Guinataang Halo-Halo P95.00
Flavorful porridge of glutinous rice balls and fresh, sweetened fruits in coconut

Tokwa't Baboy P165.00

Softened pork and crispy fried and tofu meets in a piquant sauce of soy and vinegar

Dinuguan at Puto P145.00

Native pork stew served with warmed rice cakes

Arroz Caldo P95.00
Savory chicken and rice porridge served with garlic flakes, egg and spring onions

Pan de Sal with: P220.00

Kesong puti, hamon and Spanish sardines

Turon Ala Mode P125.00

Fried banana rolls filled with ube jam and served with a caramel langka sauce and ice cream

Fried Suman with Mango Sauce and Spanish Chocolate P230.00
Pan-fried rice cakes served with puree of mangoes and thick, hot chocolate

Breakfast Menu

Longganisa Tuguegarao P195.00

Crispy pan-fried native pork sausages served with egg any style and toasted pan de sal or rice

Tinapang Bangus P195.00

Smoked milk fish fried and served with egg any style and plain or garlic rice

Chicken-Pork Adobo P175.00

Soy stewed chicken and pork served with egg any style and toasted pan de sal or rice

Beef Tapa P175.00

Fried marinated beef strips served with egg any style and plain or garlic rice

Bacon and Eggs P165.00

Crispy bacon strips served with egg any style and pan de sal or rice

Champorado at Danggit P110.00

Warm chocolate rice porridge served with fried salted smelt

Desserts, Beverages, Cakes, Hot Coffee and Cold Coffee

Desserts

Leche Flan Brulee P95.00

Burnt sugar-topped rich flan

Basque Apple Tart P185.00

A Spanish version of tart Tatin

Crepe Suzette Ala Mode P265.00
Classic orange crepes served with vanilla ice cream
*Good for sharing

Malacanang Frozen Souffle P380.00
Frozen lemon custard souffle with chocolate flakes, pistachio nuts and lemon lavender sauce
*Good for sharing

Beverages

Fresh Fruit Shake and Juices P155.00

Seasonal fruit juice or shake

Buco Juice P100.00

Fresh buco juice in the shell

Casa Sangria (Carafe or Glass) P550.00/ P165.00
Casa Roces' blend of dry red wine with chopped fruits and lemon soda

Sangria Te (Carafe or Glass) P190.00/ P70.00

Our house blend ice tea: red tea mixed with lemon soda and chopped fresh fruits

Sago't Gulaman P80.00
Tapioca pearls and jelly cubes with brown syrup on crushed ice

Salabat Soda P100.00

Fizzy lemon lime soda with gingery ice cubes

Hot Salabat P45.00
Hot ginger and honey tea

Tsokolate Eh P70.00

Hot chocolate thickened with rich peanut butter

Tsokolate Ah P55.00
Thick, rich hot chocolate

Hot Tea P60.00

Canned Soda P65.00

Canned Beer P75.00

Bottled Beer P60.00

Bottled Water P55.00

Cakes whole/ junior

Chocolate Pastillas Cake P650.00/ P150.00

Laguna Cheesecake P990.00/ P150.00

Chocolate Caramel P850.00/ P150.00

Devil's Food Cake P610.00/ P130.00

Dulce de Leche P650.00/ P110.00

White Chocolate Sansrival P710.00/ P135.00

Cherry Walnut Cheesecake P975.00/ P190.00

Double Chocolate Cake P850.00/ P150.00

Chilled Blueberry Cheesecake P850.00/ P150.00

Hot Coffee

Brewed Coffee P95.00

Espresso P50.00

Cappuccino P130.00

Cafe Latte P130.00

Cafe Mocha P125.00

Bailey's Coffee P125.00

Cold Coffee

Frosted Mocha P130.00

Frosted Caramel P150.00

Frosted Java-Java P150.00

Black Forest P140.00

Rocky Road P160.00

Bailey's Frappe P150.00

Paella & Cochinillo Weekends

Spanish Culinary Favorites to Share and to Savor

Paella Valenciana P225.00

Pork Belly Lechon Asado P350.00

Casa Roces Malacañan:

Address: 1153 J.P. Laurel corner Aguado Street, San Miguel, Manila
Tel: +63 (2) 735-5896, 708-4020
Website: www.casaroces.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/casarocesphils

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Friday, March 2, 2012

"Casa Roces Malacañan" - A Treasure within Malacañang

"Casa Roces Malacañan"

Hidden within the compounds of Malacañang are a few places we should look out for. The "Casa Roces Malacañan" restaurant is one of them. I used to think that Malacañang's area is secluded and in itself a sole place for the president of the Philippines and its constituents only. How naive of me, little did I realize that beside Malacañang Palace itself; within the compounds have ordinary residential houses, rental abodes, schools, small canteens not to say the least restaurants. And through word of mouth, we discovered this little treasure of a restaurant.

There are two (2) entrances to the restaurant. If you have a car, you can drive in their main entrance where they have valet service. But if you are on foot, this side entrance will serve you well.

Casa Roces side entrance

Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted by this modern steel sculpture placed in the middle of a mini pond of koi fishes.

Modern steel sculpture

On the left is the patio where table and chairs are set up for that leisure drinks and desserts under the morning or evening sky.

The patio

Upon opening the door to the restaurant, it will immediately lead you to the deli area. Where wide array of cakes, pastries and desserts spread before your eyes.

Deli Area

Casa Roces made me feel like entering a house and not a restaurant. And every nook and cranny also feels like it boast of that old history that goes with a house furnished in excellent taste.

Each set of table and chairs has their own distinct style and design. I am not a connoisseur when it comes to design but I give it my wild bet that it has a mixture of old Spanish and Victorian design collaborated with modern pieces that somehow works very well together. I might say it is an interesting picture for our sense of sight.

Below are the photos of these mixed assortments of table and chairs that made quiet a nice contrast with each other but just blends well together.

Also, they have a partitioned room that leads to this wine bar. This part of the room is designed like a study room where you have books, round tables, study table, and just what you expect inside a study room of course. =) Only it is transformed into a study room-cum-bar! I really like the concept. It makes you feel at home.

Casa Roces wine and bar

The study room-cum-bar

Just a few steps away leads to this receiving area which is the main entrance. Outside is where you drive through your car and will be ushered into this nostalgic space; more like a blast from the past.

Main entrance and receiving area

Among other things, the thing that is evident in the restaurant are the paintings hanging around the walls. Pictures of sceneries occupy one part of the wall. Paintings enclosed in old fashioned or golden or intricately detailed frames forms part of this authentically unique restaurant.

Scenic paintings on the wall

The delicate lamp hanging on the wall blends perfectly with the setting.

One of the things I take note of also is the rest room or powder room or comfort room as some of you may call it. It is simple and clean; worthy of a thumbs up.

Casa Roces restroom

The restaurant is a two storey floor. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take a look at the upper floor. It goes to say, I have something to look forward to the next time I decide to visit again. =)

Casa Roces Malacañan:

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Money Tree in the Metro

Have you ever seen a tree that literally have money hanging on it? How we have wish one way or the other that we could have this kind of tree growing in our backyard and all of our financial problems would just vanish into thin air?

Well, I saw this one-of-a-kind money tree. You judge for yourself... =)

International Money Tree?

Where else do you think I saw this money tree, as I call it? In the most unexpected place of all. On one of the desktop of Mercury Drug Store at Glorietta 4 Mall in Makati.

Below is the exact address:

Mercury Drug
Makati Ayala Center Glorietta 4
G/F Glorietta 4
Ayala Center
Makati City

Mercury Drug Store at Glorietta 4

As a previous collector of foreign currencies and I still have my collection with me; I got excited when I see this. I said it's worth featuring this in my blog. I'm not ashamed to say that I got tempted in asking for the whole tree for myself. ;) Then luckily, I got to my senses and ask the lady in the counter why they have that on their desktop instead. Guess what's the answer? For "luck" of course.

Maybe we can make our own money, but there's only one problem. I think it will not last a day without somebody plucking whatever currency they can hold on to.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Astoria Plaza's Cafe Astoria

One of the main dining restaurant in Astoria Plaza is the Cafe Astoria. Located just at the lobby, it is readily accessible to diners willing to try their food spread.

Cafe Astoria

CAFE ASTORIA'S DRESS CODE

BUSINESS ATTIRE & SMART CASUAL

CLOTHES ARE APPROPRIATE

OUTFITS WHEN DINING AT

CAFE ASTORIA

SHORTS UNDERSHIRTS

TANK TOPS (SANDOS)

PAJAMAS & BEDROOM SLIPPERS

ARE NOT ALLOWED

INSIDE THE CAFE

MANAGEMENT RESERVE THE

RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRY TO THOSE

WHO ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR

COOPERATION

Cafe Astoria a cozy nook of a restaurant and bar. With an intimate space for intimate people. The food it serves, in my view, leans more on the Filipino cuisine buffet.

Cafe Astoria Buffet

As a diner, if you compare Cafe Astoria's buffet to other five (5) star hotel's buffet; I would describe it as a mini buffet. It serves six to seven (6 - 7) main dishes at the most aside from their soup, salads and desserts. Though I do like Filipino cuisine on occasions but my palate leans more on a different angle, maybe that's why I didn't enjoy the food so much.

Cafe Astoria buffet's array of food

Below are the dishes offered on the buffet during our stay. Food varies every time so it might not be the same if ever some of you might plan to dine here.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Chami Lomi

Ginataang Langka (Braised Jackfruit in Coconut Milk)

Sinugbang Tiyan ng Tuna (Grilled Tuna Belly)

Deep Fried Shandong Chicken

Stir-fried Beef Short Plate with Broccoli

Left: Seaweed salad ; Right: Young Corn and Shrimp Salad

Wasn't really able to take photos of the dessert section. But I did took some photos of what we ate.

Made my own salad from the variety of vegetables

If I remembered it correctly, I drizzle my collection of vegetables with vinaigrette dressing and spread it with parmesan cheese. Usually I'm really not a very picky eater and I always, always see the best in every food. Thus, I'm having a hard time giving my opinion about this since I had a fun stay at this hotel. But nevertheless I need to be truthful, the vinaigrette doesn't really taste the usual vinaigrette I had. It lacks the mild acidity I usually look for in a vinaigrette, I had much better.

Hot and sour soup, and ice tea

The hot and sour soup lack flavor and taste, and the soup itself was too thick for me to enjoy. Ice tea is not included in the buffet, you have to pay for the drink of your choice.

Counter clockwise from top: Lechon (Roast Pork), Seaweed Salad, Chami Lomi and Atchara (pickled salad)

I think the lechon was alright, nothing really special that made me remember it with a "wow". If you might wonder, I wasn't able to take a photo of the "lechon" section. The seaweed salad, usually this is my favorite when I was young, I love the popping feeling and taste of this seaweed even with just a dash of vinegar. This one, I'm not up to it. The Chami Lomi, was so so and the atchara was ok.

I guess I wasn't really able to enjoy the food as much as I should. Maybe my taste is a bit off, I really don't know. But if it might not be at par with my palate, it might be with yours. Maybe some of you might tell me otherwise so I might not feel so awful.

I hope if any of you decide to stay and dine here, I do hope you have a much fruitful and yummy experience with the food as compared to me.

Astoria Plaza:

Address: 15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Business District Pasig City, Philippines
Tel: +63 (2) 687-1111
Fax: +63 (2) 910-0370
Email: sales@astoriaplaza.com
Website: www.astoriaplaza.com

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Friday, February 17, 2012

Astoria Plaza - Outdoor Swimming Pool and Basement Parking

Every time we have this special stay at a hotel, my child would always get ready for that awaited dip at the pool. So of course we tried the swimming pool at Astoria Plaza.

Outdoor Swimming Pool and Children's Pool

Adult Pool

Slightly visible farther down is the children's pool

chairs for that lazy lounging under the sun

And you know what guys? Another facility that I love is their six (6) levels of basement parking.

Basement Parking

Although I'm a fairly good driver (this is in my opinion only) for a lady, I always have this skepticism every time I'm going to enter a parking area. Parking areas are like extraordinary driveways for cars. Why? sometimes they surprise you with steep inclines going up or going down. If not that, they make you work your talent in maneuvering a narrow turn. Not to mention a narrow parking space when you reach the parking level. But if your lucky enough, all goes smoothly with that spacious way for your car and that perfect turn where you don't need to think anymore.

What can I say? It's like that "box of chocolate" in that "Forrest Gump" movie. Parking areas are like a box of chocolate, you'll never know what you're gonna get!

Amazingly, Astoria Plaza's parking is one of those parking that won't let you think how to smoothly glide your car without a hitch. They provide you with wide two-way space for cars coming in and going out. And what I love most is the very slight elevation of pathways on every level. No need to bring your car to a hard push for that steep incline but just glide smoothly along each levels. Just fell in love with it! Even if the parking spaces were uneven, some spacious some a bit narrow that didn't deter me from liking their parking. If all parking areas were like this! =)

Parking area


Can't hardly notice the slight elevation on the driveway.

Parking level's elevators

This part of my experience was well worth it. My kid loved the pool and I loved the parking area. Quite a nice exchange don't you think? =)