I'm always on a food quest for hidden restaurants that deserved to be noticed. They're like finding buried treasures to satisfy growling tummies. Oh, I love to discover restaurants that surprisingly tickles my taste buds in the most flavorful way!
If in case you are a new reader or follower, I'd like to give you a flashback of the restaurants I've voluntarily written for such as Francesco's Kitchen (Italian), Wafu (Japanese) and Kettle (American), just to name a few of my favorites that fall under my Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice gastronomic escapades. Now, I've got a newly discovered planet---PLANET GRAPES (International & Modern Filipino), serving local comfort food with a GRAPEy twist!
So this was my OOTD for tonight's dinner at Planet Grapes. Yes, a little strip tease for summer. Nudes to have a more elongated and casual look & florals to keep up with the summer trend. This is my kind of look when dressing up for late nights or dinner dates while enjoying that glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir.
Off to Planet Grapes for now.
Oh, I'm so excited to try this planet out for the 1st time.
I'll check in & update you guys later after my sumptuous meal.
So when I heard of Planet Grapes, first thing that came into my mind was Planet of the Apes! Hahaha. Kidding aside, Planet Grapes is a place where wines from all over the world can be tasted under one roof, one grape at a time! Their menus even suggest the type of wines which are best paired with the chosen entree. Even their chandelier invites you to have a sip of their wine collections.
The Wine Bar was AHHH-mazing, but the food was exceptional & highly recommended. The chefs deserve a 'Bravo!' All the dishes had a unique taste, the flavors so bold, and the price just right for this kind of culinary expertise. The chefs behind the dishes we ordered are so commendable that I'd hire them if I had a hotel or fine dining restaurant. Each dish had a soul, each dish made me mouthwater, craving for more of these savory recipes.
Gambas & Chorizo (Php450)
For starters, you'd already know that this restaurant will bring you into a food coma. The spicy chorizo fused with the garlicy gambas made my palate excited for the next dishes yet to come!
Grilled Norwegian Salmon (Php 665)
Healthy can be tasty when cooked right. The salmon was excellent that we had to order (2) kinds of salmon dishes. It wasn't at all dry or bland. This definitely met our expectations! This dish was served with a light kamut salad, but I prefer that this be served with risotto for that creamier finish.
Salmon fillet in Crosta (Php695)
The serving of Salmon fillet in Crosta was generous. 2pcs baked salmon fillet coated with crunchy cereal and herbs are quite generous compared to other upscale restaurants. The salmon is so tender that it tasted so good even without the usual cream sauce. This is perfect for those people looking for a healthy diet without sacrificing taste & quality. Trust me, you won't even feel you are dieting. Definitely a fresh catch at Planet Grapes.
Tenderloin Salpicao (Php390)
This is not your traditional beef salpicao. Trust me, your sense will be awakened. It's nothing you have expected. This came in a 2-pc skewer, perfectly marinated and grilled in soy and garlic, oozing with flavors that will tickle your tastebuds. The tenderloin was just so tender that these sticks would be gone if no one was dining with me. Must order more sticks next time.
For Php575, I expected one whole roasted chicken already. For only half a serving, this is quite pricey. The chicken meat was so flavorful because it was marinated overnight with lemongrass, garlic and dill. Even the white meat was surprisingly tender and juicy. Yes, I'm not really into white meats because I prefer the leg-thigh combos, but this specific dish changed my mindset that white meat doesn't always mean that they're harder chicken parts. Wow! So impressed with how tender their roast chicken is, no matter what part was left on the plate. And you know what the real winner here is, it's the sauce! It had so much attitude, a hint of curry, cream and gravy rolled into one. I just love the burst of flavors. The sauce definitely won me over.
This is a must-order for meat lovers! You'd need several bowls of rice for this dish as it's just so damn good. Oh, I just love the generous serving of beef shank and marrow braised for hours. Mind you, it's definitely not your ordinary caldereta. Surely, there was wine involved in making this dish so savory and flavorful. It's the bomb. Worth the price!
Anything cooked and battered in salted egg will always taste good! And when you add chorizo Macau to the mixture, then 1 cup of rice will never be good enough to satisfy this hungry belly. What a delicious yet simple fried rice.
No wonder this was so tasty! Carabao Milk made this Leche Flan oh-so-creamy. I just love how it melts in my mouth. Best of all, this came for free because it's a BOOKY PRIME restaurant, which I'm a proud member of.
Oh, thanks to Booky PH we got this Leche Flan dessert for free, aside from the Php300 off that was deducted from our total bill. Booky is just so worth it that attending just (1) booking transaction will be worth your monthly membership fee of Php199 already. What a steal, right?! For all those foodies out there, Booky will be your best friend 'cause of all the discounts and freebies you'll be getting. You'll definitely be in for a treat.
So I ended this dinner looking like I'm 2 month pregnants. Yes, all the calories was so worth it. This is definitely a must visit place for those date nights when you are craving for affordable 5-star cuisine dining with savory wines. The ambiance is classy, private and romantic, enough to bring you into a very relaxed vibe. The dishes will surely bring out the piggie in you & me.
Don't worry, you're not the only piggy who became hungry while I'm writing this post because this piggy will surely return to Planet Grapes, the Undiscovered Planet of Food Hunters! Kudos to the chefs of these delicious entrees. Can't wait to dine here again 'cause surely I'll be in another feast of the gods experience.
'Til the next resto worthy of a feature,
SOPHIEsticated
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