One random Saturday night, the family went to Kapitolyo in search for a new restaurant to try.  The unique logo of Red Panda Bistro caught our attention.  It was very classy and creative at the same time.  It was a sleeping panda and a wine glass in one.

It had a few parking spaces.

We were so happy with the ambiance.  It was so casual but so chiq.

It has a big and clear glass window so you can see almost all parts of its kitchen.

There's a delicatessen by the far end before the stairs leading to the second floor  We loved the stylish lofts so we decided to seat here.

There's also a chiller and a freezer by the deli.

The menu offers two parts: European Cuisine and Chinese Cuisine.

Food

European Soups

♥ Pumpkin and Apple Soup Sharing (495 php)

The Pumpkin and Apple Soup gave us such a nice first impression.  The moment we sipped into this wonderful concoction, we all knew we chose the right establishment to dine that night. 

European Salads

♥ Crispy Chicken Mango Salad Sharing (400 php)

The Crispy Chicken Mango Salad is a refreshing salad with bread chicken strips, romaine lettuce, diced ripe mangoes, grape slices and mango dressing.

European Pastas

♥ Truffled Roasted Duck Stuffed Ravioli (280 php)

I love ravioli so I have encountered more than a handful.  Yet, I have never seen one so colorful and articulate as the Truffled Roasted Duck Stuffed Ravioli.

♥ Truffled Roasted Duck Stuffed Ravioli (280 php)

Inside is diced roasted duck well-complemented by truffle cream sauce.

Platters/A La Carte

♥ Sousvide Beef Short Ribs (380 php)

The Sousvide Beef Short Ribs is so tender that it almost falls of the bone.  This has a nice Chinese fusion twist to the usual American sweet barbecue sauce.  

Chinese Rice Dishes

Anchovies Fried Rice Sharing (460 php)

The Anchovies Fried Rice is not as spectacular as the rest but it goes well with the other viands we had.


Chinese Desserts

Tricolored Buchi (85 php)

The Tricolored Buchi is buchi filled with dark chocolate.  Had I been new to the concept, I would have been intrigued.  But, after trying the ones from Kabila, Wee Nam Kee and Chow Fun, I was not impressed as the flavored food coloring was a contrast to the chocolate fillings.

Pastries
I forgot what this Cinnamon bun was called.  It was from the deli and pre-heated before serving.  It was just okay.

Beverages

♥ Red Panda Iced Tea (160 php)

 We ordered the Red Panda Iced Tea just because we were enticed by the glass.  It was delicious.

Basil Ice Cream

The deli also serves Jack Frost Premium Ice Cream.  Finally, the family got to try their Basil Ice Cream and they loved it as much as I did.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I don't know why Red Panda Bistro didn't have a high rating from food reviewers (as I've checked around the net).  I'm very impressed with Red Panda Bistro and I'd surely be glad to try more of their dishes. 

Almost three years ago, I spotted Mona Lisa Ristorate at The Commerce Center in Alabang when I dined at Studio Kitchen (now Allium in Makati).   I vowed to come back to try it but never managed to go back due to hectic schedule.  I'm glad it opened in SM Aura which was more convenient for us to visit.

The glass grants us a view of its alluring interiors.


I love the structural design, paintings and the chandeliers.

Even the tie of the servers fits the motif of the place.

Food

Insalata

Fagioli Bianchi Di Tonno (350 php)

The Fagioli Bianchi Di Tonno is mixed greens, chunky tuna, red beets, feta cheese, boiled egg, red and white beans (supposed to be white asparagus according to the menu) in Italian vineigrette.  We found this salad interesting enough to be emptied quickly.

Pizza 

♥ Smoked Salmon Pizza (550 php)

We're quite health-concious so we chose their special thin-crusted multigrain pizza.  The
Smoked Salmon Pizza is topped with ricotta cheese, asparagus, caramelized onions and sliced lemon.  My family is very picky when it comes to pizza but they adored this to the littlest bit.

Prima (Pasta) Vegetarian

♥ Cannelloni Spinaci and Ricotta Solo (315 php)

The Cannelloni Spinaci and Ricotta Solo is spinach bits and ricotta cheese filled in cannelloni shells.  If you can appreciate the special flavor of spinach enhanced in terms of the creaminess and mild zesty ricotta cheese, you'll find this heavenly like we did.


Prima (Pasta) Meat and Poultry

♥ Spaghetti All' Arrabiata Calebrese Solo (315 php)

The Spaghetti All' Arrabiata Calebrese is supposed to be penne on the menu but we requested to have it substituted to spaghetti.  It has Italian sausage, black olives, mushrooms in spicy and tangy vodka tomato sauce.  I found the blending of flavors quite balanced so I enjoyed this.

Pollo Pizzemente Solo (320 php)

The Pollo Pizzemente Solo is a penne pasta with bite-size slices of chicken thighs and breast, asparagus, brocolli with creamy porcini mushrooms, light cream sauce and truffle oil.  The light cream sauce masks the dryness of the white chicken meat.  The truffle cream sauce is light allowing us to appreciate the natural taste of the asparagus, brocolli, porcini mushrooms and chicken.

Home Made Pasta

♥ Ravioli ai Funghi Porcini Solo (305 php)

The Ravioli ai Funghi Porcini tops among all the dishes we had that night.  It's ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms in a creamy porcini parmesan sauce with truffle oil.  I love that they didn't scrimp on the truffle oil!


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Mona Lisa Ristorante is one of the best authentic Italian restaurants we've tried!  Their subtle but not bland or dull blending soothes our taste profile.  We'd love to come back when craving for Italian.  Everything we ordered is cooked with precision.  The service is good too.

Brew-Kus was not made to sound like "Brutus". =p  Brew-Kus actually stands for two words: 

• Brew
• Cuisine - They removed the i out of cuisine and replace "C" with "K"

Brew-Kus offers a cozy and serene ambiance.  It's the perfect place to chill.  The place is mainly divided into three parts.  The first part has a coffee shop set-up, the second part is for casual dining and the third part is for fine dinning.  


Food


Finger Bites

♥ Crisp Mushroom Ravioli (180 php)

I'm a huge fan of ravioli because I just love surprises!  I always find it exciting to bite through the shell of a ravioli and unleash its fillings.  But, I've never tried a deep fried crispy ravioli so it was double the thrill for me to try it out! =D 


The Crisp Mushroom Ravioli is a mix of diced shitake mushrooms and cream cheese enveloped in a between two wanton wrappers and fried until golden brown.  I loved it!  The crispiness was followed by the pleasing texture of diced mushrooms.  It was fun to munch and it was really tasty even without the dip.


Gourmet Sandwiches

♥ Grilled Veg & Mozzarella (250 php)

The Grilled Veg & Mozzarella is an open sandwich topped with pesto basted shitake mushrooms,  grilled eggplants, tomatoes and zucchini and melted mozzarella cheese.  It is served with a coleslaw.  Being a veggie lover, I just couldn't get enough of this!

♥ Shrimply Loaded (250 php)

The Shrimply Loaded is a sandwich filled with generous amount of shrimps sauteed in garlic, asparagus and mix of lettuces covered in a rich cream and parmesan.  This is so good that I think this should be marked as highly recommended in the menu along with the others. =D


Specialty Pastas

Wild Mushroom (250 php)

The Wild Mushroom is a medley of diced shitake and button mushrooms and proscuitto drowning in a cream based sauce and premium truffle oil.   Initially, I enjoyed the Wild Mushroom.   But, during my latter bites, I felt that the truffle oil is too overwhelming for my sensitive taste buds.  Perhaps, it had too much truffle oil because when the Wild Mushroom was served,  all my foodie companions immediately detected the scent of it prior to tasting.


Beer Battered Fish and Chips
Chef Shiela demonstrated to us how to make battered fish and chips.  The secret it to have a dropping consistency that is not too thick.  Upon tasting the product of her recipe, we all agreed that the coating is nicely thin and crisp.  


Beverage

English Tea Latte Large (90 php)

I ordered my English Tea Latte with 25% sugar and nata de coco as toppings.  It was pretty good!  It's pretty competitive compared to other milk tea brands.  

Assam Tea Latte and Lychee True Tea

Here's what my friends had.  They both liked it too.

Minestrone (60 php)

Lasagna (220 php)

Porchetta Mozarella Ravioli with Pormodoro Sauce (200 php)

Roast Beef Sandwich (180 php)