Makati City, Philippines' Food Exploration Tour with Raintree Group of Restaurants

11:30:00 AM Pinoy Boy Journals 0 Comments

I will never be a food blogger because i'm quite impatient when a food is already served in front of me. But, i really try my best. The Raintree Group of Restaurants presented another challenge to me. How will i be able to keep up to take photos and document all of these delicious food, when i cannot even wait a minute before tasting them all?

Pancit Tinola? Saltimbocca? Seafood Guava? All of these seem strange to me at first but little by little, i understand how exciting it must be to try it all for the first time. And Raintree Group of Restaurants will help me do just that. Let's try them all!

Simple Lang, located within Ayala Triangle Gardens, offer a unique spin on the most popular Filipino comfort) food. As mentioned, i've never tried Pancit Tinola ( Hainan Style Chicken, Fried Sili Leaves). It tasted unbelievably fresh and tangy. Even the Simpleng Arroz Caldo (Spicy Dilis, Kimchi, Tofu, Bicho, Crispy Chili Garlic, Calamansi) never tasted this good. And i haven't touched dessert yet...

The Hot Ginataang Bilo-Bilo is so beautifully prepared, that i had a hard time figuring out if it was really food or an artsy toy. And the ice scramble i ordered made me relieve the days when i was in grade school, and looking very "totoy". Likewise, the Turon Bites (Sabam Toasted Sesame & Condensed Milk) is immediately a winner to me.

And with tons of surprises in store for its patrons, i wonder what the chef will be presenting next? How about Rellenong Chicken Inasal, perhaps?

Moving over to Zuellig Building along Makati Ave on the 3rd floor is Terraz. Popular with businessmen and socialities, this bistro offers fine dining with a view. And because of its glassy interiors and an ambiance like no other, a date with your loved one or soon to be loved one, will be a topnotch idea.

For example, the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna (Pan-Seared Ahi tuna, Romaine Lettuce, Sliced Japanese Cucumber, Vine Cherry Tomato in Sesame Dressing) looks and tastes fresh and juicy. I actually didn't want to share this with my friends, because it was that good.

It's always a pasta party in Terraz with the Simple Saffron Spaghetti ( Homemade Spaghetti Pasta, Fresh Spinach and Smoked Grilled Asparagus). Likewise, the Truffled Herbed Chicken & Creamy Mushroom (Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast with three kinds of Mushroom and Red Wine Sauce) and how it was plated was so appetizing, i had a hard time convincing my friends that the photos we have are enough.

Terraz Bistro & Meetings is famous among expats with their desserts and the Crepe Samurai ( Filled with Mango and Banana served with Caramel Sauce and Cinnamon Sugar) is simply perfection. And as i write this, i can't wait to schedule a meeting in there. Of course, this would be ordered for sure.

I have always been a fan of M Cafe even before i was invited to try out their menu. I like the vibe of the place where the drinks are exquisitely served, the music so good you often ask for the artist from the DJ, and the location so convenient. For those who're unaware, Museum Cafe is so impossible not to find, because it's bright red "M" in front is such an eye candy.

Both the Hainan Chicken Noodles + Shark's Fin Dumplings (Topped with Spring Onions, Shiitake Mushrooms & Shimeji Mushrooms) and the Seafood Congee + Flower Siu Mai (Topped with Crispy Tofu Skin, Spring Onion Shiitake Mushrooms & Shimeji Mushrooms) are great for dimsum lovers. Even the flavored soy sauce worked to make the taste even more strong. With chilli on the side, this is heaven on a plate. And it's not even past 9AM.

The M Benedict (Poached Egg, Hollandaise Arugula, Grilled Cherry Tomato, Jamon Excellente Smoked Salmon) is a deluxe treat for the egg fanatics. It's an easy best seller!

There were waffles/pancakes and fruits and pastries, but i was really sold already on the dimsum that i had to post another photo. I am getting hungry just writing about it.

Five seconds away from M Cafe is Kabila. Just kiddin'! Kabila is literally just on the other side. While M Cafe boasts of a wide spread of entrees, Kabila is a full dining experience like no other. Of all the restaurants, i could literally see my picky father eating all that was served to us. This Filipino Bistro serving fresh and simple Filipino flavors has only one promise to its guests. The food here is so good, you will never forget it.

The Fresh Lumpia sa Kabila ( Fresh Ubod, Shrimp Mince, Sweet Garlic Sauce, Fresh Garlic + Ground Peanuts) will definitely battle out with your all time favorite dish. The shrimp mince together with the sauce, as well as the nuts, is simply divine.

For a fish lover, i was very delighted when the Slow-Grilled Gindara (On Charcoal with a Sweet Soy Calamansi Glaze served with Pickled Green Mango) was served to me. I know when my seafood is fresh, and this Gindara is damn fresh. It was so good that i am already happy with this dish, plus all the rice i can eat.

I've never tasted a guava sinigang in my life. The Seafood Guava Sinigang at Kabila ( Scallops, Bangus Belluy, River Prawns, Clams, Kangkong, Labanos, Sitaw + Cherry Tomatoes) claims the spot as now my most favorite dish of all time. I bet that you've never tasted a sinigang this good in your life.

Since there's still room to recover from food coma, i tasted the Buko Pandan that was served with melon shreds. I can attest how at only P195, you're already too close to heaven. And look at that plate, it's time to Instagram it.

Later that night, our group was off to go Japanese. At Saboten in Glorietta 5, the story of the best Tonkatsu since 1966 comes alive. Suddenly, the memories of my trip to Japan comes back little by little. With freshly squeezed orange juice to detox, i was off to order the Shrimp Fry Set ( A combination of deep-fried shrimp and other Saboten specialties.

And since they had Deep-Fried Oysters, i grabbed a piece for myself. And since it was imported from Hiroshima, Japan, i knew this was to be the best fried oysters in the market today.

And since i don't eat pork, my friends enjoyed their Tonkatsus and Curry sets, while i try out the Agedashi Tofu.

A few hours later, the dessert was served. The Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cake below was delectable, and the fine chocolate whipped on top was definitely made with finest ingredients.

On the other side of the plate is Sesame Sansrival Cave which i never shared with everyone. Ha!

This food exploration tour was a delight to all senses. Trying out a lot of food for the first time while basking in ambiance of casual to fine dining restaurants is something i will never forget. I realized after this, that i may not be the best food blogger, but i known my food damn well. Cheers, Raintree Group of Restaurants.

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Simplé Lang Restaurant

Ayala Triangle Gardens, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila

Telephone Number: +6326216162

Terraz Bistro

Third Floor, Zuellig Building,

Makati Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila

Telephone Number: +6326254832

Museum Café / M Café

Level 1, Greenbelt 4, Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Makati City, Metro Manila

Telephone Number: +6327573000

Kabila Filipino Bistro