*update as of April 2014: Maria Luisa Garden is no longer open to the public :'(
******
It was my editor in chief who gave me the tip.
Then on a Sunday my family went but they were packed! We were a little disappointed at having to leave without trying the Reuben sandwich they advertised on a chalkboard just right outside the door.
But I finally made it the other night!
It's so pretty. A country escape in the middle of the city.
There are two rooms. This is the one to the right of the main entrance and where the bar is. Speaking of bar, strongly suggest to order a bottle instead of a glass of wine because the bottle may not be newly opened. Although - and props for this because other restos like Barcino don't - they will take the glass back if you refuse it.
The chef is Robert Lilja. He is quite hands on. I remembered him from somewhere but could not quite place it. He personally checked in on every table at the resto. When he got to ours, I had to ask. He was formerly with Savoy Bistro on Kalayaan Street going to Rockwell. "We've sold it!" I replied, "Ah, yes! That's why it's now Zavoy with a Z!"
He seems to have found his spot. At Savoy, which I have visited several times both for lunch and dinner, I remember seeing him flustered and upset with the servers. Now he seems far more relaxed. And when he served the main course, he joked, "Better than Savoy, ya?"
He is Swiss. Man he knows his cheese. Loved the take on this artichoke appetizer.
Also appreciated this mussel dish but the secret is in the cream. Dip your bread in it.
The salad was ... salad!
When the chef said that his bestseller was the oxtail, kare-kare was the first thing I remembered so I wasn't sold. Then he said the magic word: fabada. I did a double take. Had to experience that. You must, too!
The red snapper was cooked in a cognac and lobster sauce. The cognac is hardly recognizable but the lobster's spirit is definitely there. Lovely with the risotto underneath!
He has several kinds of dessert that he makes himself. We tried the Toblerone Sans Rival which I liked because it is not too hard, unlike the versions of other restaurants. And also a Calamansi Pie which is also pretty as it is not too sour. Great with strong coffee to sober up before driving home.
Come with friends or family. I eat out alone a lot - this is not the place for that. This is a place to create memories of good company.
On our way out, as the chef found out about Devi (in lime green) being the editor of Elle, he pleaded, "Please let's keep this a secret!" I said, "But I found out about this place through a blog!" (which was only half true because the Inquirer's editor in chief first tipped me about it). "Well, bloggers can't be stopped," he said. So ... tada!
Maria Luisa Garden
at the Makati Garden Club
Edsa cor. Ayala Ave. (Take Edsa, turn right on Ayala, turn right on the first corner when you sign of Garden Club).
Take note: No credit cards accepted. Cash AND CHECKS accepted! Hehe. I whipped out a checkbook! It felt so 1950s!
Wheelchair accessible.
******
It was my editor in chief who gave me the tip.
Then on a Sunday my family went but they were packed! We were a little disappointed at having to leave without trying the Reuben sandwich they advertised on a chalkboard just right outside the door.
But I finally made it the other night!
It's so pretty. A country escape in the middle of the city.
There are two rooms. This is the one to the right of the main entrance and where the bar is. Speaking of bar, strongly suggest to order a bottle instead of a glass of wine because the bottle may not be newly opened. Although - and props for this because other restos like Barcino don't - they will take the glass back if you refuse it.
The chef is Robert Lilja. He is quite hands on. I remembered him from somewhere but could not quite place it. He personally checked in on every table at the resto. When he got to ours, I had to ask. He was formerly with Savoy Bistro on Kalayaan Street going to Rockwell. "We've sold it!" I replied, "Ah, yes! That's why it's now Zavoy with a Z!"
He seems to have found his spot. At Savoy, which I have visited several times both for lunch and dinner, I remember seeing him flustered and upset with the servers. Now he seems far more relaxed. And when he served the main course, he joked, "Better than Savoy, ya?"
He is Swiss. Man he knows his cheese. Loved the take on this artichoke appetizer.
Also appreciated this mussel dish but the secret is in the cream. Dip your bread in it.
The salad was ... salad!
When the chef said that his bestseller was the oxtail, kare-kare was the first thing I remembered so I wasn't sold. Then he said the magic word: fabada. I did a double take. Had to experience that. You must, too!
The red snapper was cooked in a cognac and lobster sauce. The cognac is hardly recognizable but the lobster's spirit is definitely there. Lovely with the risotto underneath!
He has several kinds of dessert that he makes himself. We tried the Toblerone Sans Rival which I liked because it is not too hard, unlike the versions of other restaurants. And also a Calamansi Pie which is also pretty as it is not too sour. Great with strong coffee to sober up before driving home.
Come with friends or family. I eat out alone a lot - this is not the place for that. This is a place to create memories of good company.
On our way out, as the chef found out about Devi (in lime green) being the editor of Elle, he pleaded, "Please let's keep this a secret!" I said, "But I found out about this place through a blog!" (which was only half true because the Inquirer's editor in chief first tipped me about it). "Well, bloggers can't be stopped," he said. So ... tada!
Maria Luisa Garden
at the Makati Garden Club
Edsa cor. Ayala Ave. (Take Edsa, turn right on Ayala, turn right on the first corner when you sign of Garden Club).
Take note: No credit cards accepted. Cash AND CHECKS accepted! Hehe. I whipped out a checkbook! It felt so 1950s!
Wheelchair accessible.
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