Apartment 1B: Gourmet Comfort Food

Apartment 1B

Gourmet Comfort Food

One Lafayette Square

132 L.P. Leviste Corner Sedeno St

Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227

(632) 843-4075

How to get there:

Map to Apartment 1B

From EDSA going south:

1. Turn RIGHT to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia);

2. Turn LEFT to Paseo De Roxas;

3. Turn RIGHT to Villar;

4. Turn LEFT to L.P. Leviste;

5. Turn LEFT to Sedeño (Apartment 1B should be on your right side before the next street corner).

First impression:

Apartment 1B's Second Floor Before Closing

The first floor of Apartment 1B looked like a well lit fine dining restaurant, classy and private.  When we got to our table on the second floor, we were amazed at the changed in atmosphere, it actually felt like we were fine dining in a Chinese restaurant!  The place looked real homey and comfortable.  The wait staff were very courteous and knowledgeable of the menu to boot.

Cuisine:

According to Click the City Apartment 1B serves French cuisine but it seemed more like a fusion of American, Italian, Spanish and French cuisines with a touch of Mexican mixed-in.  We think that's what makes it Gourmet Comfort Food.

What we had:

Apartment 1B's Corn Chowder

We started with a bowl of Corn Chowder (Php170) with herbed croutons.  The chowder tasted good and the serving, supposedly for one, was actually good for two.  It was also served in a lion crested bowl/cup which gives it a “not your usual” chowder look.

Apartment 1B's Chicken Quesadilla

We followed the chowder with a plate of Chicken Quesadilla (Php290) with tomato salsa.  The quesadilla was great by itself and the tomato salsa provides a good accent to the taste.

Apartment 1B's Grilled Baby Squid

 We also tried the new addition to Apartment 1B’s menu, Grilled Baby Squid, which was recommended by the wait staff.  The baby squids were grilled just right and were very tender and it tasted good too!  If you plan on dining here, this is a must try. 

Apartment 1B's Fresh Mint and Apple Shake

Since we like to experiment with our beverage, we asked the wait staff for a recommendation.  We wanted to sample their Apartment 1B’s special beverages, if any, and when we heard that the wait staff say Fresh Mint and Green Apple Shake (Php150) we were intrigued and we all ended up ordering it! We have to say we were anxious about what the taste of green apple and mint mixed together would taste like, and fortunately for us, it tasted great.

Apartment 1B's Crab Cakes

We were having a great time with the starters so we decided to order Crabcakes (Php250) before we order the main courses.  We were not disappointed with the crabcakes.  The pieces were made of fresh crabmeat and apart from the minimal breading/batter it had no noticeable extenders.

Apartment 1B's Grilled Prawns

Our first entrée was Grilled Prawns (Php730) topped with crab-fat and was served with mixed vegetables and lemon pasta.  We thoroughly enjoyed this dish! The lemon pasta was mildly spicy with a hint of lemon.  But what made this dish amazing are the grilled prawns and the crab-fat sauce.  Well the wait staff did say the prawns were large, but we didn’t think it’d be this big!  The three large prawns were perfectly grilled, keeping the prawn meat tender and juicy and the crab-fat sauce just takes this dish to another level.  Another must try.

Apartment 1B's Meatloaf

We decided to ask Apartment 1B’s wait staff for popular dishes even as we ran through the menu since we had no idea what to choose for our second entrée!   The wait staff recommended Meatloaf (Php340), at first we though the wait staff was joking.  Really, meatloaf in this restaurant?  But since the wait staff looked serious we decided to look t up in the menu and saw a Meatloaf priced at Php340.  When we asked the wait staff how many slices was on order, we courteously informed that it was one very big slice. 

We thought that 340 bucks for a slice of meatloaf is a little pricey.  We wandered off it at first but ended up ordering it nevertheless.  Our curiosity got the better of us, we thought.  When the meatloaf was served, we realized the wait staff was not kidding when he said it was a very big slice!  The meatloaf did not taste nor had the texture of meatloaf at all, it had the texture of really tender steak and tasted like one too!  The mushroom gravy and the mashed potato served with the dish complement the meatloaf well.  This time our curiosity paid off.

Apartment 1B's Grilled Blue Marlin

We also tried Apartment 1B’s Grilled Blue Marlin (Php500) topped with chorizo tomato relish and was served with pesto pasta.  Like the prawns, the marlin was perfectly grilled.  It retained its freshness and tenderness and was not dry.  The chorizo tomato relish was an excellent accent to the marlin.  The pesto pasta not bad, but compared to all the dishes we sampled, it tasted ordinary.

Apartment 1B's White Toblerone Cheesecake

For dessert we tried Apartment 1B’s White Toblerone Cheesecake (Php180) served with raspberry coulis. We think the raspberry coulis was good for the presentation, but it did not add to nor complement the flavor of the cheesecake.  Still, we enjoyed the cheesecake!

Apartment 1B's Apple Crisp

We also decided to try Apartment 1B’s Apple Crisp (Php190) served with vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup.  If you like apple pie and ice cream, you’ll love this dessert.  The apple crisp was served warm and the melting vanilla ice cream complemented its taste.

Estimated cost:

A budget of Php500-Php1000 should be adequate to try some of Apartment 1B’s dishes.


To check out more of the menu, you can get it here.

Note:  Prices Inclusive of 12% VAT.  You will be charged an additional 10% for Service Charge.

Conclusion:

7: We haven’t enjoyed a new restaurant as much as we have Apartment 1B in quite a while.  It seems that you will never go wrong with anything you order!  The wait staff are courteous and knowledgeable of the menu.  The place is cozy and comfortable.  Before leaving we were already checking out Apartment 1B’s menu for some other dishes we might be trying on our next visit!  Even though the food is a little pricey, we believe it is commensurate to the value of the dish and the experience.  A must try.


If you want to know more about French Cuisine, you may want to check this out at Amazon.com

House of Wagyu Stone Grill

House of Wagyu

Stone Grill

5^th Floor The Podium

Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

(632) 635-3056

105 Mckinley Arcade

Ortigas Avenue Cor. Club Filipino Avenue

Greenhills, San Juan City

(63 2) 725-2811

(63 2) 725-7450

Why two branches in one review?

First off, we want to explain why we make a single review for two branches of the same restaurant.  For one, they are the same restaurant.  Second, we went and tried these branches less than a week apart and we thought it maybe be better to make it into just one review.  We think that two reviews of the same restaurant in one week maybe a little overboard. We hope you agree.

How to get there:

Greenhills Branch from EDSA going north:

House of Wagyu Stone Grill - Greenhills Map

1. Take the Flyover to Ortigas Avenue, San Juan just before Robinsons Galleria;

2. On Ortigas Avenue stay in the middle lane until the first traffic lights (Connecticut); and

3. After the first traffic lights, veer to the right and enter the parking lot after the second traffic lights House of Wagyu should be visible on your left side about 10 meters after the parking areas guardhouse.

The Podium Branch from EDSA going north:

House of Wagyu - The Podium Map

1. Turn right to Guadix Drive just after the SM Megamall and Asian Development Bank; and

2. Turn right to ADB Avenue; The Podium should be on your right side before reaching Doña Julia Vargas Avenue and just after the Asian Development Bank.

First impression:

The place looked expensive and classy. During our visits we usually have 2-4 tables dining with us.  So if you want privacy for an important date or meeting this place would really impress.

Cuisine:

This restaurant offers Australian Cuisine and of course Steaks!

But before we go any further we would like to tell something about Wagyu Beef.  Wagyu beef is commonly known as “Kobe” beef because it was believed that the Wagyu Beef from Kobe were the best and consequently the most expensive.

The Wagyu Beef served in House of Wagyu Stone Grill come from Australia.  The Beef served are graded from 1-12.  The higher the grade the more fat the unsaturated fat and the more scattered the fat is on the meat.  Apparently these fats are healthy and are similar to olive oil.  For more about Wagyu Beef, you can check out this wikipedia link.

What we had:

New Zealand Baked Mussels

To start we tried the House of Wagyu's New Zealand Baked Mussels (Php295).  These Mussels really looked like they came from New Zealand... they were huge!  The presentation was great and it had that distinct taste of fresh mussels.  We thoroughly enjoyed this appetizer.

Escargot Au Reisling

We also tried the House of Wagyu's Escargot Au Reisling (Php375).   We’ve tried the ginataang kuhol in Filipino Restaurants and wanted to try how they are done in other cuisines.  Fortunately for us, the snails were served out of the shells, which made them easier to eat.  Amazingly, the butter, garlic and white wine mixed into the dish subdued the strong taste of the snails almost better than the gata usually does. 

Gambas Al Ajillo

Our “last” appetizer was Gambas Al Ajillo (Php275).  It looked really delicious, a little greasy, but the garlic bits scattered all over the dish made it look really appetizing.  The huge green pepper added the necessary color to complement the hue of the shrimps.  Even though it looked a little greasy at first, but because of the extra virgin olive oil and the garlic you’d barely think it was sautéed at all!

Fresh Four Season's Juice

We tried their Fresh Four Season’s Juice and Fresh Orange Juice.  The juices were made just after we ordered them, we could actually see the Bartender squeezing the Orange Juice and blending the fruits for the Four Seasons.  As a result, the juices tasted really good.  We don't know if the contents are the same but the glasses in House of Wagyu: Stone Grill, The Podium branch were a bit smaller compared to the glasses in the Greenhills branch.

Rancher's Cut 700 Grams [Rib-Eye with Bone] Grade 8 Wagyu Beef

Now for the main courses!  We ordered the House of Wagyu's Rancher’s Cut 700 Grams [Rib-Eye with Bone] (Php3,600).  This is actually a 400-600 grams of grade 8 Rib-Eye stuck to a 100-300 gram bone.  It also comes with 2 single Caesar’s Salad, 2 Soup(s) of the Day (Mushroom Soup) and 2 Desserts (Vanilla Ice Cream).

Rib Eye 350 grams [for two] Grade 6 Wagyu Beef

We also ordered Rib Eye 350 grams [for two] Grade 6 (Php2,295). This comes with 2 Soup(s) of the Day (Mushroom Soup).

Premium Rib Eye 220 grams Grade 8 Wagyu Beef

 Our third Entrée is a Premium Rib Eye 220 grams Grade 8 (Php2,395).  This comes with a Soup of the Day (Mushroom Soup).

The soups and salads were served inbetween the appetizers and the Entrée.  All steaks come with Mixed vegetables and a choice of Mashed Potato, Plain Rice and Garlic Rice.  We all chose Mashed Potato.

How the Wagyu beef were served:

 A very hot stone grill was placed on our table before the Beef was placed on it.  The wait staff informed us that she will turn over the beef once, and after that we can proceed with the dining experience.  The wait staff were educated about Wagyu Beef and did not wait for a manager to answer our queries about the beef.

House of Wagyu: Stone Grill

We were advised to slice the meet as we eat and not to cut the beef in small slices immediately as it may result in over cooking, unless of course you want your meat very well done. 

House of Wagyu: Stone Grill Small Slices

You may request for a replacement stone grill if the stone grill has cooled down.  You may also request for a resting plate if you believe the stone grill is too hot and will over cook the meat according to your taste.   Of course, if you wish, you may ask that the steak be cooked/grilled by the restaurant's chef.  But cooking it yourself allows you to play chef! 

Mashed Potato and Vegetables

We have to say that these were some of the best steaks we’ve had!  No gravy needed.  The meat was very tender and juicy.  Even the steak knives cut through the meat like heated metal on butter, well it's a little exaggerated but you get the gist!  It lets you experience that melt in your mouth sensation.  It truly is an amazing dining experience.  

Flourless Chocolate Cake ala Mode: Cold Stone Grill

 We were quite full after the meal, but we had to try one of their desserts, so we had the House of Wagyu’s Flourless Chocolate Cake (Php225).  The Flourless Chocolate Cake was served with Vanilla Ice cream on a COLD STONE GRILL (freezing cold!).  The presentation was superb, the cold stone grill kept the Vanilla Ice Cream from melting.  But we have to say that texture and the taste of the Flourless Chocolate Cake was a disappointment.  Then, again, we were here for the steaks not the dessert right?

Estimated cost:

A budget of Php700-Php1500 should be enough to sample some of the food.  If you want to sample the Wagyu Beef however, a budget of Php1,500 (or higher) should be prepared.  You could also share the Wagyu Beef to sample a variety like we did and save some, but a word of warning, this might cause some rift or argument as to which had more beef! #LOL

Note: Prices are exclusive of VAT and Service Charge.

You can also buy uncooked Wagyu beef  from their selection.

To check out more of their menu you can get it here.

Conclusion:

7: You guessed it!  Despite the steep prices for the Steaks, the service and the entire experience is something you would like to try again and again, over and over… you get the picture right?  Once you try the steaks here, it’ll surely be the first thing that comes to mind when you talk to people about food for some time.  We were disappointed with desserts; then again maybe we were just too full by the time they were served.

For more about Wagyu Beef, you may want to check these out at Amazon.com

Gyuniku to Nihonjin: Wagyu reisan (Japanese Edition)

Murray's New Orleans

Murray’s New Orleans

Bourbon Street Steaks and Oysters

Building 6, Space 1F14

Bonifacio High Streets

Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

Taguig City

(632) 856-4326

(632) 856-4785

Map for Murray's New Orleans

How to get there:

From C5 going south:  Turn right to 32nd St., then make a left turn to 11th Ave., turn right after 30th St.

From EDSA going north: Turn right to Kalayaan Ave. (keep right), enter Global City through 32nd St., turn right to 11th Ave., and turn right after 30th St.

Murray's New Orleans

First impression:

The place looked relaxed but a little dark.  It caters more to people looking for a place to hangout and grab a couple of beers.

Murray's New Orleans Table

Cuisine:

This restaurant offers American Cuisine and as the name implies, specializes on  Steaks and Oysters.

What we had:

Murray's New Orleans Breadbasket

Like any casual diner, of course we tried the free bread and butter that were offered after our orders were taken.  The whole loaf bread was served warm on a wooden board with butter and a bread knife.  The presentation was good, but the bread tasted a little bland even with the salted butter spread on it.

Murray's New Orleans Oyster Formaggio

For appetizers, we had Oyster Formaggio (Php345).  The Oysters here are really fresh.  The Cheese blends well with the taste of fresh Oysters.  This is a must try.

Murray's New Orleans Famous (Baby) Back Ribs

For the main course, we tried their New Orlean’s Famous (Baby) Back Ribs –Half Slab (Php398) which was served with coleslaw and dirty rice.  The ribs were good and even the half slab proved to be more than an adequate potion.  The coleslaw was served fresh and the dirty rice added an interesting taste to this ensemble. 

Murray's New Orleans Shrimp Ettouffe Pasta

We also had their Shrimp Ettouffe Pasta (Php385) which was recommended by the wait staff.  We must say that we were pleased with this dish.  The pasta was served just right.  It was not dry but not too creamy either.  If you love pasta, we recommend you try this dish.

Estimated cost:

If you wish to dine in Murray’s New Orleans a budget of Php500-Php1,000 is recommended per person.

Conclusion:

6: Despite the disappointing breadbasket to start the meal, we have to say the Oysters in this place is a must try.  The Ribs are good as well.  If asked about Oyster’s this place would be one of the first that come to mind.  Even if Murray’s is a steak house, the pasta was surprisingly good as well.  The service was fast and the wait staff were courteous. 

If you want see more or learn more about Bourbon Street New Orleans, you might want to check these from Amazon.com: