Is there more to good food than just satisfying appetites and filing up our newsfeeds with tons of food photos? That’s probably the question that went into the mind of the founders behind Martin Place Social in Arya Plaza, BGC because Martin Place Social is not just a restaurant;


Martin Place Social is an integrated restaurant and training institute run by Ausphin International Institute as a live kitchen for the Institution’s students. Like American Bounty run by the Culinary Institute of America, Martin Social Place is the experimental training ground for Ausphin’s promising students in culinary arts and restaurant management

But serving a higher purpose is not enough to attract diners to a restaurant—after all, most of us place a lot of weight on how much we love the food and the dining experience when choosing a restaurant. Leveraging on their Australian background, the guys behind Martin Place Social created a restaurant that embodies the Modern Australian dining experience and is inspired by the eclectic cafes in Sydney and Melbourne.

You may be wondering what Modern Australian cuisine would taste like, I certainly was, and the invitation to sample some of Martin Place Social’s food was a good chance to finally know what Modern Australian cuisine is!

Drinks
The evening started off with a round of drinks—a typical Aussie custom, who knew?  I had a glass of Cold Brew Negroni, others had a glass of what seemed like lemonade. ( Unfortunately, they did not have a menu for their cocktails so I can’t say for certain what the second drink was or what the prices are—sorry about that!)

Food

Secret Fish Taco (over fried soft taco) (320 php)

Secret Fish Taco (in hard taco shell) (320 php)

We were told that the fish used depended on what was available in market and changed from time to time depending on what fish was available that day. The secret sauce; however, remained a secret but gave the fish a nice burst of sweetness and sourness.

Mountain Pork Belly Salad (480 php)

Macy's Cheesecake (280 php)

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I guess we're really getting older cause we're now caring for our health and the sustainability of our environment by going organic.  For my cousin's birthday celebration, she booked us a reservation at Potts Point Cafe SM Mall of Asia.  

I know they have their pioneer branch at Eastwood City.  But, I didn't know that they now opened another branch.  Since they just opened, we were able to avail of their soft openiing discount of 20%.  My uncle was very happy with that. (Not knowing there's a 40% off at groupon which you can now avail).  After trying it out with the family, I also got to try it again during their grand opening.

The interiors stayed true to its organic essence.  It is bright, woody and simplistic.  They have enticing food shots of some of their items.  They were really good so couldn't resist ordering all of them.

Food

Appetizers

Mussels in Creamy White Wine with Grilled French Bread (265 php)

The family was wondering where the sauce is with the Mussels in Creamy White Wine with Grilled French Bread.

Mussels in Creamy White Wine with Grilled French Bread (265 php) *complimentarily served during grand opening

Good thing there were able to improve it on my second visit.  It had a better container which sealed the heat and there was a lot of sauce at the bottom of the hot pot.  This is so good!  I had almost all of it.

Fried Mushroom Risotto Balls with Creamy Tomato Puree (255 php)

The Fried Mushroom Risotto Balls with Creamy Tomato Puree sounded (based on the ingredients) better than its actual flavor.  I was expecting more of this considering each ball costs about 50 bucks.

Soups

♥ Roasted Organic Butternut Squash Soup with Organic Bacon, and Cream Cheese Ravioli (190 php)

The Roasted Organic Butternut Squash Soup with Organic Bacon, and Cream Cheese Ravioli is the best among their soup selections.

Cream of Organic Cauliflower Soup with Truffle Foam (180 php)

The Cream of Organic Cauliflower Soup with Truffle Foam tasted blandly healthy (natural mild sweetness of the cauliflower) with super light tinge of truffle essence from the truffle foam.

Cream of Mushroom Soup (175 php)

The Cream of Mushroom Soup could use some seasoning.  But, you can taste the mushroom flavor. 
Salads

♥ Mixed Organic Rocket Salad with Glazed Walnuts, Pears, Parmesan Shaves, Dried Cranberries and Raspberry Vinaigrette (495 php/Sharing)

The Mixed Organic Rocket Salad with Glazed Walnuts, Pears, Parmesan Shaves, Dried Cranberries and Raspberry Vinaigrette is very good and healthy so we had another round of this.

Thai Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken, Crispy Wonton and Pomelo (450 php/Sharing)

The Thai Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken, Crispy Wonton and Pomelo is not the usual salad so it was well appreciated too.

Pasta

Roasted Eggplant, Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese with Creamy Organic Tomato Sauce Linguine (310php/Solo)

We liked the Roasted Eggplant, Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese with Creamy Organic Tomato Sauce Linguine.  The eggplant was roasted properly bring out its sweet flavor that contrasted the zesty red sauce.

Trio of Organic Mushroom Ravioli with Parmesan Cream Sauce (310 php)

We had two orders of the Trio of Organic Mushroom Ravioli with Parmesan Cream Sauce.  As you can see, the first one had less sauce and it was a bit overcooked so the pasta is dried and tough to chew.  The second was perfectly cooked and that was really good!

♥ Squid Ink Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes, Parmesan Shaves, Arugula and Fried Calamari (520 php/Sharing) *complimentarily served during grand opening

I am rarely impressed with pasta dishes, but I liked the Squid Ink Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes, Parmesan Shaves, Arugula and Fried Calamari so much I did not bother sharing this sharing portion lol.  Just kidding! I really offered to share but they didn't want to ruin their lipstick so I ate it all because as a foodie, I could never let food go to waste.
 

Coconut Cream Carbanara with Organic Roast Pork Belly (340 php/Solo)

The Coconut Cream Carbanara with Organic Roast Pork Belly would have been an interesting twist to the classic carbonara.  But, I felt that the coconut cream was too faint to pique the taste buds.

♥ Gnocchi with Prawns (330 php/Solo) *complimentarily served during grand opening

I rarely encounter gnocchi being offered in the Metro so I'm glad they had the Gnocchi with Prawns on the menu.  The flavor and texture is superb for this dish!

♥ Roast Australian Lamb with Bone Marrow Rice and Demiglace (595 php/Solo)

The Roast Australian Lamb with Bone Marrow Rice and Demiglace was insisted by our server as the must try dish at Potts Point Cafe.  True enough, we were all impressed by the clean tasting yet rich flavor of this dish coupled by the tenderness of the meat.  Even though, we had to wait a long time for this to be served, we all thought it was worth it.

♥ Melange of Seafood Provencale with Brown Rice Risotto (395 php) *complimentarily served during grand opening

I usually find risotto dishes too heavy and overwhelming.  But, the Melange of Seafood Provencale with Brown Rice Risotto is a plateful of rich sea treasures that the brings comfort to the soul in every bite.

♥ Salmon Teriyaki with Pumpkin Risotto (495 php)

The Salmon Teriyaki with Pumpkin Risotto is my recommended dish that will surely please anyone, even the kids.  This is very hearty and healthy!

♥ Organic Roasted Chicken Fillet with Salsa Verde , Mango Cream, Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Quinoa-Red Rice Salad (355 php)

The Organic Roasted Chicken Fillet with Salsa Verde , Mango Cream, Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Quinoa-Red Rice Salad would have been good but it was really burnt on the other side so we couldn't eat most of it.  My companions complained this to the server but it fell on deaf ears.

♥ Vietnamese-Style Organic Slow Roast Pork Belly with Nuoc Cham and Pineapple Fried Rice (390 php/Solo)

The Vietnamese-Style Organic Slow Roast Pork Belly with Nuoc Cham and Pineapple Fried Rice is really good.   This is a guilty dish I wouldn't mind devouring on.

♥ Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill Butter, Beet Root Puree and Creamy Mashed Potato (495 php)

We ordered two of the Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill Butter, Beet Root Puree and Creamy Mashed Potato.  For pan-seared dishes, being cooked with precision is key.  One of them is cooked perfectly and well, this is the other one with black overcooked burnt on the other side.

♥ Grilled Australian Grass-fed Rib Eye Steak with Diane Sauce and Mashed Potatoes (855 php)

The Grilled Australian Grass-fed Rib Eye Steak with Diane Sauce and Mashed Potatoes is delicious!  It was cooked medium as requested.  Not bad for the price too.

Savory Pies and Sandwiches

Melange of Seafood Pie with Mashed Potatoes and Garden Salad (375 php)

Comparing the Melange of Seafood Pie with Mashed Potatoes and Garden Salad with the Melange of Seafood Provencale with Brown Rice Risotto, I'd go for the latter.

♥ Seared Australian Grass-fed Beef Pie with Mashed Potatoes and Garden Salad (355 php)

The Seared Australian Grass-fed Beef Pie with Mashed Potatoes and Garden Salad is a must-try for carnivores!  This is a nice rendition of shepherds pie that I'd gladly add to my good list.
 

♥ Australian Grass-fed All Beef Burger with Australian Cheddar, Pickled Beets, Olive Oil Aoili and House-made Brioche Bun with Baked Sweet Potato Wedges (395 php)

The Australian Grass-fed All Beef Burger with Australian Cheddar, Pickled Beets, Olive Oil Aoili and House-made Brioche Bun with Baked Sweet Potato Wedges is a hefty serving.  We all thought it was a good deal for the price.  However, it was such a waste that we had to waste a few portion of this because it was burnt on the sides.  Otherwise, the soft and tasty brioche bun and tasty juicy burger pattie would have won us over.  Hmm... even with the burnt part, I'd still say you can't miss this at Potts Point Cafe.

Australian Grass-fed All Beef Burger with Australian Cheddar, Pickled Beets, Olive Oil Aoili and House-made Brioche Bun with Baked Sweet Potato Wedges with Egg (425 php)

We ordered another one with egg for 30 php.  It's really good with egg. 

Smoked Salmon and Spinach Eggs Benedict (415 php) *complimentarily served during grand opening

The Smoked Salmon and Spinach Eggs Benedict gets perfect point for presentation.  This is one of the most beautiful egg benedicts I've seen yet.  I love how the pouched egg was cooked just right unleashing its runny golden yolk as you go along.   But, the smoked salmon was too salty (not the kind of saltiness from smoking but the saltiness from misproportioned rock salt).  I felt it wasted the salmon which usually bore its own divine sea flavor.
 

Banana Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast with Whipped Cream and Palm Syrup (185 php) *complimentarily served during grand opening

Desserts

Strawberry, Kiwi and Mango Trifle with Light Vanilla Custard and Cookie Crumble (185 php)

The Strawberry, Kiwi and Mango Trifle with Light Vanilla Custard and Cookie Crumble is so sweet I felt like I was having pure syrup or sugar.  The light vanilla custard was no match as a contrasting element for it the syrup dretched fruits.

♥ The Oozin' Ozzie Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream (240 php)

No one thought of ordering The Oozin' Ozzie Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream.  Good thing the staffs of Potts Point Cafe prepared such a wonderful surprise for my dear cousin with a lively birthday song, balloons and this beautiful and addictively good lava cake!  It was so good that we were about to cap of the night as we were stuffed from all the food, smoothies and after-dinner when this came.  But, one tiny spoonful got us hooked.  This didn't even reach the other side of the table because this plate got stuck with my 7-year old nephew who emptied in a flash.  If only we weren't full already we'd order more of this!

♥ Tiramisu Delano Affogato (175 php)

The Tiramisu Delano Affogato is a big hit for us. 

♥ Tiramisu Delano Affogato (175 php)

The crunchy crumby broas cookie soaked in the Delano espresso shot that we poured in brings an enchanting bitter sweet treat with a cool creamy finish from the vanilla ice cream.  This is one of the best tiramisu I've had and that's because of their really good Delano coffee.

English Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream (210 php) *complimentarily served during grand opening

This is the first time I've encountered the English Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream.  This didn't leave a good first impression because it was overly sweetened even when eaten with the vanilla ice cream.  The bread pudding itself is already sweet.  With the addition of the thick toffee syrup, it was an overkill of sweetness. 

Delano Coffee

♥ Mocha Regular (140 php)

You can't go wrong with their Delano coffee.  Any variant, hot or iced is very good!  My relatives and siblings have gone back just for it.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Overall, we are very happy that the pricing at Potts Point Cafe is reasonable for their premium quality ingredients.  We also love their Delano coffee.  They give a great take on Australian cuisine.  But, I feel that some of the dishes still needs improvement.   The staff also needs to be acquainted with the dishes.  They have adequate staff for the serving but there's a noticeable bottleneck in the kitchen.  Hope they can work on that.