Have you ever felt “taste fatigue”? Pedia books caution all parents against it. Repetitive consumption of the same dishes rub off kids’ appetite. Well, we say, “Not just kids!” Adults feel the same. So, our All Out this time is an ala carte experience. Palate break!!!
We discovered the Discovery Suites pamper experience. We checked in one of Manila’s best Junior Suites after our Café Berio dinner.
ANN:
Sit back and relax was what I wanted to do on a Friday night. Café Berio was a small business café with an ambience that whispers, "Relax, take a breather." And that was what we did! Our dinner started with soft and freshly-baked rolls with an option for butter. The rolls are enough for starters.
OLIVER:
Yes, It is one of those days that we wanted to just sit down and enjoy the view of…The Podium, and have a quite dinner. The setting was perfect. There were a number of people dining and the ambience was ideal after the challenging drive to Ortigas Center. It is a good thing that I noticed Ann bringing out her notebook and started jotting. I knew it was going the best dinner I’ll ever take pleasure in.
Surprise, surprise! Appetizer was served. It was Crispy Shrimp Wrapped in Nori and it was good for the main course. The perfect combination of greens, shrimp and nori! Each shrimp was wrapped in nori cradled on a bed of salad greens. Delicately seasoned with light balsamic vinaigrette. What will really catch you off guard is the great tasting Asian fusion of sesame seeds, red pepper, shrimp, nori, bean sprouts coupled with the vinaigrette. Really delicious. If this is what you call appetizer, this is enough for me.
Tomato Soup’s next! Boy, I haven’t tasted an authentic tomato soup anywhere like this. Bread, salad, soup – what will be the next surprise? I had to finish off the soup because I can’t wait for the next course. Rich, creamy, real tomatoes. The soup kicked my taste buds further to the next level. Gotta have fish!
First, I have to say this: I love the creamy sauce of the Pan-Seared Seabass!!! It yummily complemented the sea bass with its barbeque, cream and pesto taste. It is so creamy (in a very delicious sense) that it actually made the sea bass. Not the other way around. No offense meant to the fresh sea bass. Chef, your sauce is the best!
I thought it was the end of a perfect meal but no. The second course are the Lamb Chops. I normally will not choose lamb but Café Berio’s version is worth a try! I had them without my usual mint gel. I was so full but they are worth it. No "icky" taste this lamb! The sautéed veggies on the side were also worth it.
Now, I can’t eat anymore… I was so full (a yummy kind of full)! Hats off to the chef! The fruits are the best dessert after an excellent meal like this. This dinner is one of the best I have had. Now, gotta rest on the suite’s comfortable bed after my bubble bath.
Café Berio and Discovery Suites get a whole pie! That’s for the great food, best customer service (all the amenities), 5-star cleanliness, reasonable prices and the best "Sauce Chef!"
