S Maison Food Guide: Olivia & Co.

Whoever Olivia is, I would love to be in her company.

Friendly service, affordable menu and delicious comfort food - no wonder we've dined here twice already since CS' birthday week. We got even luckier as it coincided with Olivia & Co's soft opening promo when they offered 40% off on all their dishes including drinks and desserts! Dishes are inspired by the world's biggest cities so dining here can either be a trip down memory lane of our past travels or can serve as an inspiration/idea for future trips.

What we ordered

Bangkok Wings (7pcs.) - Php275.00

Sweet with just the right kick of spice, Bangkok Wings was the first dish I tried and fell in love with. Serving is meant for sharing so you won't get full right away.

Olivia Sliders Board - Php435.00

Olivia Sliders Board, a trio of Pulled Pork Burger, Hangover Burger (signature beef patty and my favorite of the 3) and Soft Shell Crab Burger, is your best bet if you can't decide which one to get.

Meatball Pasta - Php205.00

Amazing pasta dishes that's also meant for sharing! Ranking our orders according to my most favorite down to the least:

1. Shrooms Pasta - The cheapest pasta on the menu, Olivia's take on this dish is simply ingenious. With generous slices of mushrooms and loads of garlic and parmesan cheese, its the perfect dish to order when you're on a budget but still looking for a fresh and delectable meal in the upscale S Maison Mall.
2. Florentine Carbonara - Now if you want to impress your date or just want to reward yourself, Olivia's exceptional carbonara is a mix of smoky pancetta ham, cheese shavings, egg yolk and truffle oil. CS and I were impressed how the chef carefully incorporated the truffle oil to emphasize the flavors (as it should be) without overpowering the entire dish.
3. Meatball Pasta - If there's meatballs on the menu, there's no way I'm going to let it pass! Unfortunately, this version was ordinary and forgettable. 
4. Laksa Pasta - I regret ordering this Laksa Pasta and having to pay Php405 (its the 2nd most expensive in the menu) for a plateful of really bland dish - save for the 3 jumbo prawns, it was a total waste of money and calories.

Florentine Carbonara - Php345.00

Shrooms Pasta - Php175.00

Laksa Pasta - Php405.00

Olivia's Signature Carrot Cake - Php155.00/slice

The main reason why I kept coming back to Olivia & Co - their signature carrot cake is the best I've tried in Manila in all its moist, sweet and sour cream glory! No scrimping on ingredients to deliver this amazing piece of heaven on every bite. So trust me when I say that its one cake you should try, even non-carrot cake eaters will definitely love this!

~o~o~o~

Olivia & Co

2/F S Maison (below Conrad Manila)

Seaside Blvd. corner Coral Way

Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 845-1714

Beauty Collagen Hotpot at Bijin Nabe by Tsukada Nojo

A hotpot that promises good skin? Yeah, of course I'm in!

As much as I was looking forward to finally trying out Tsukada Nojo's famous hotpot, we were this close to walking out with the restaurant's slow and amateur service. From the unmanned reception to having no visible manager around to guide the clueless staff, its surprising that a franchise can be this disorganized, a far cry from how the Japanese does it - flawless and close to perfection.

We were actually surprised that there were unoccupied tables while the staff made us wait outside for about 10 minutes for no apparent reason. We also had to ask several times for the menu then the utensils, tissue, and condiments because what we had was a bare table with no set-up.

The utensils and tissue placed in a single container for easier and faster distribution. Finally!

What we ordered

Smoked Salmon Spring Roll - Php210.00

I rate this at 8/10 with the refreshing combination of fresh vegetables and smoked salmon. Could be a 10/10 if it had more salmon with extra smokey flavor. Best enjoyed with sweet chili sauce.

Star of the table - the broth made from melted collagen!

Collagen is the protein that aids in rebuilding dead cells for a youthful and glowing skin. From the highly-prized Jidori chicken, its protein is extracted and made into pudding form for easier transport as this precious soup is sourced directly from Japan to maintain its quality.

Bijin Nabe - Php750.00 per portion

A wide array of fresh and organic ingredients are included in the hotpot such as prawns, lettuce, red radish, sunflower sprout, enoki mushrooms, baby sweet potato leaves, baby corn, lady's finger, deep fried tofu, zucchini, fresh black fungus, tori tsukune (chicken meatball), and chicken.

Patience is a virtue because good things come to those who wait.

The staff gave us a shot of the collagen soup before she added the ingredients and we were blown away! The soup was ultra rich and so tasty, definitely a game changer for hotpot enthusiasts.

The entire process of cooking Bijin Nabe is orderly and meticulous, takes time from putting the ingredients one by one, but trust me when I say that you wouldn't want it any other way. So if you're looking for a premium and extraordinary meal, a trip to Tsukada Nojo is worth venturing out. Besides, the promise of a younger looking skin is something anyone won't be able to resist, ladies especially. Just hope the service would improve and the staff be more attentive and accommodating because bad service could ruin the collagen's natural healing process!

~o~o~o~

Bijin Nabe by Tsukada Nojo

2/F S Maison (below Conrad Manila)

Seaside Blvd. corner Coral Way

Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 809-1268

Paradise Dynasty: Legend of Xiao Long Bao

Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Pork Dumplings) is a type of soup dumpling that originated from Jiangnan, China. I've tried several versions in the past which were all kinda the same until I traveled to Taipei and tried the world-famous Din Tai Fung's Xiao Long Bao. Their signature dumplings consist of juicy meat filling wrapped in melt-in-your-mouth skin made from a minimum 18 exquisite folds. My first DTF experience certainly changed the way I look at Xiao Long Baos and also opened my eyes on how these dumplings must taste like -- nothing more, nothing less.

CS knows I love DTF's Xiao Long Bao so when he saw Paradise Dynasty in S Maison, he immediately pointed it out to me. Paradise Dynasty is a franchise from Singapore and is known for its Rainbow Xiao Long Bao with 8 different and colorful flavors such as Original, Garlic, Ginseng, Foie Gras, Szechuan, Cheese, Crab Roe and Black Truffle. The branch in S Maison is their first in the Philippines and I'm glad I was able to try it in its first month of operation.

Of all the restaurants in S Maison, Paradise Dynasty is one of the few that is consistently busy, most times full with diners, excitedly awaiting for their delicious Shanghainese orders.

What we ordered

Signature Original Xiao Long Bao - Php298.00 (10pcs.)

I have yet to try other flavors of their Xiao Long Bao because whenever we go visit, I always crave for the original ones! After sipping the soup off the plump dimsum, I dip it back in black vinegar and put as much ginger strips as the spoon can fit because I like it sour and hot. On usual days, I can eat about 4 pieces but I think I can finish an entire basket of 10 of these meaty and flavorful treats all to myself. If only the other offerings in the menu are not alluring enough to try.

Stir-fried Shredded Pork in Black Bean Sauce with Chinese Crepes - Php288.00

The sauce was too salty for my taste so after finishing the crepes it came with, the cup of rice on the side is a great balance to downplay its strong flavors. A must-order nonetheless.

La Mian with Vegetable Pork Wanton - Php280.00

I'm not a fan of noodles except if you serve it cold. The servings was big enough for 2 hungry people but if given an option, I'd pass on this and move on to the next page of the menu.

I've been to Paradise Dynasty at least 6 times after my first dining experience and I must say that I love it even more than the last. Aside from the Xiao Long Bao, I look forward to the Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet and Mango Pudding - the best I've ever tasted in Manila!

~o~o~o~

Paradise Dynasty

2/F S Maison (below Conrad Manila)

Seaside Blvd. corner Coral Way

Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 828-8333

Sunday Treats No. 58

Dark Skim Cup - Php185.00 (1 crunch + 2 fruits + 1 sauce)

~o~o~o~

BLK 513

2/F S Maison (below Conrad Manila)

Seaside Blvd. corner Coral Way

Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

S Maison Food Guide: Carnivale

When I told CS of this new place I wanted to try in S Maison, he was a bit hesitant at first when I told him what Carnivale's specialty is -- BURGERS! But being the ever supportive partner when it comes to my food cravings, he gave in and we found ourselves sitting inside the restaurant's playful interiors. From the same brilliant talent behind Locavore's well-loved Filipino food with a twist, Chef Mikel Zaguirre's latest venture takes these fast food favorite to a whole new level and a complicated marriage of flavors you can only appreciate once you get a taste of it.

What we ordered

Fries - Php120.00

Because burgers are best enjoyed with fries on the side! I love that its crispy, thick, not greasy or soggy and well seasoned -- if only if it was cheaper, we'd definitely order more because one is not meant to be shared. Good thing I'm dining with a health buff so more fries for me!

Their menu is by far the most complicated burgers I have ever seen! It took us a long 10 minutes to decide which ones to order out of the 8 burgers that Carnivale is offering. And why not? The descriptions are not your everyday ingredients that I had to google and see what's in each burger.

Gravlax - Php370.00

Carnivale's Gravlax Burger is a stack of house cured salmon gravlax with cream cheese, smoked salmon mousse, fresh rocket leaves, pickled red onion, honey mustard glaze and onion tuile in butter toasted squid ink brioche bun. I love bagel with smoked salmon but this is the first time I tried salmon as a star of a burger. One bite led me to an exciting fusion of flavors that I just kept going and going until there's a little piece left to share. The bun may have a strong dark color but the squid ink's flavor was as subtle as it can be to avoid overpowering the other ingredients. A must order if want to venture out of the ordinary but wants to play it safe.

Lamb - Php420.00

Sous-vide ground lamb shoulder patty with yogurt, mint and garlic dressing, fresh rocket leaves, compressed watermelon, fattoush salsa and feta cheese was Carnivale's take on the French method of cooking. Sous-vide refers to the vacuum-sealing of food and cooking it in a temperature-controlled water bath to retain its moisture and ensuring that all parts are cooked evenly. It was also our first time to order a dish cooked in this method that we initially thought that the lamb patty was under cooked. It was an acquired taste and not my type, at least for this type of dish.

Carnivale may specialize in burgers but its nothing close to any fast food meal out there. Worth a try if you fancy a burger but be prepared to spend more because it doesn't come cheap!

~o~o~o~

Carnivale

2/F S Maison (below Conrad Manila)

Seaside Blvd. corner Coral Way

Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

S Maison Food Guide: Chibo Okonomiyaki

Back in July, we chanced upon a fairly new restaurant in S Maison called Chibo Okonomiyaki as we were waiting for our table at Uma Uma Ramen. We already set our minds on having ramen for dinner so we just vowed to come back within the week.

Osaka's most popular okonomiyaki chain, Chibo was established in 1973 in Sennichimae, a district known for its numerous gourmet eateries. The teppanyaki-style Japanese savory pancake was actually conceptualized by a Japanese general named Hideyoshi Toyotomi who was also in charged of building Osaka Castle. Since then, Chibo now has over 60 stores across Japan and overseas.

I've been to Osaka, Japan in June 2014 and its a shame that I have not tried Chibo or any okonomiyaki during the trip due to our very hectic schedule so I can't really compare the taste between Osaka's and the restaurant franchise located in Conrad Manila.

What we ordered

Trust me, you won't sound crazy telling that you'd want to order everything on the menu. 

Tuna and Avocado Teppan - Php230.00

A match made in heaven!

Fresh sliced tuna and avocado in Chibo's special sauce was the perfect appetizer while we wait for our mains. It was as delicious as it looks, you'd never want to share it with anyone.

Mix Vegetable Yakisoba - Php280.00

You can have as much Katsuobushi shavings, more commonly known as Bonito flakes, on your dishes with a container full of it on each table. I remember the first time I saw it and was amazed with the dancing flakes on top of my okonomoyaki, such a fun sight to look at!

As with most Japanese food, not only was it a feast for the tummy but a delightful treat for the eyes as well. The lovely server made sure that we got enough photos as she delicately placed the precooked vegetable yakisoba on the teppanyaki stove top.

Chibo offers only one size of okonomiyaki good for 1 to 2 persons. CS and I opted to order 2 types so we can try as much food as we can. Just like the yakisoba, all okonomiyaki were precooked but Chibo makes certain that there's enough room for a little show on the table.

Butatama Okonomiyaki - Php190.00

Osaka's classic okonomiyaki with pork, Butatama was the best starter for our Chibo Okonomiyaki experience. It may be the simplest okonomiyaki on the menu but it surely brings loads of flavors on each bite. Besides, Chibo only uses premium ingredients so you're guaranteed of the best and delicious Japanese savory pancakes whatever you wish to order.

Doutonburi Okonomiyaki - Php230.00

The moment I read what Doutonburi was made of, I knew my order right away! An okonomiyaki with generous servings of beef, shrimp, cheese and pork, it was a combination of everything I love in a pancake. The cheese surely elevated this dish to, if not, the best okonomiyaki I have ever tasted! A definite must-try if you're planning to visit Chibo soon.

We loved Chibo the first time and we loved it even more the 2nd and 3rd time! No more photos of our succeeding visits because I knew CS wanted to dig in straightaway. But trust me, any type of okonomiyaki you may wish to try in Chibo will surely exceed your expectations.

~o~o~o~

Chibo Okonomiyaki

2/F S Maison (below Conrad Manila)

Seaside Blvd. corner Coral Way

Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 898-3333