Every year we try to cook up a surprise birthday dinner for the greatest foodie in the family: our mom.  Choosing some place undiscovered used to be easy.  Now with my advent of Instagram and Facebook, it is usually our mom being the first to know every new restaurant joint that pops up.  So, we decided to go with the classic at Impressions.

Located at the 3rd floor of Maxims Hotel, Impressions is a fine dining French restaurant spear-headed by celebrity chef Cyrille Soenen.

The family has already tried celebrity chef Cyrille Soenen at Brasserie Cicou before.  But, we're more epicurious to try this one after seeing its collection of awards.


We made reservations only to find out the the place is barely empty.  The function room is occupied by Senator Enrile so the staffs were very preoccupied there when we came in.

After a few minutes of waiting, we were ushered to our seats passing by a bar...

and an open kitchen.

Although empty, each table already has a table set up. 

There was a cheery long table near us.  We recognized celebrity Gretchen Barreto as one of the guests.  And since they might think that we're a paparazzi, I just took a photo of the empty side of the place. =))

Food

Soups

French Onion Soup (350 php)

The French Onion Soup has a fragrant and sweet flavors of caramelized onions topped with huge pieces of crouton and a generous amount of gruyere.

♥ Philippine Prawn Bisque (390 php)

The Philippine Prawn Bisque is beautifully presented with tiny sea urchin flan and caviar.  Aside from visual appeal, it is so delicious!  This is one of the best prawn bisque version we've tried!

Create Your Own Set Menu

• 1 Appetizer or 1 Main Course + 1 Dessert (950 php)
• 1 Appetizer + 1 Main Course + 1 Dessert (1,500 php)

We opted to order the Soups separately because it is actually more affordable than being included in the Create Your Own Set Menu.  And, then we chose the 2 course of the  Create Your Own Set Menu.  Although the Main Course is limited with this option, they actually offer it in the ordinary serving size which is huge. 

Mains

♥ Impressions Bulalo (650 php)

Hearing bulalo sounds native right?   But, the Impressions Bulalo is nothing familiar to us.  It is a completely different French interpretation.  The Impressions Bulalo is a US beef short rib in creamy truffle beef broth with vegetables.  I liked it.  The truffle is not too strong bringing a wonderful balance with the beefy taste.

♥ Bavette U.S. Hanging Tender with Shallot Sauce (788 php)

The Bavette U.S. Hanging Tender with Shallot Sauce is superb!  The meat was cooked consistently and I couldn't pick a better complimentary than the shallot sauce.

♥ 12 Hour Cooked Lamb Shoulder Tajine-Style (820 php)

Among our orders, I loved the 12 Hour Cooked Lamb Shoulder Tajine-Style the most.  This is a must try!


Cheese and Desserts

♥ Minestrone of Compressed Fruits (360 php)

My mom got the Minestrone of Compressed Fruits.  She absolutely adored very bit of this beautiful masterpiece.

Flourless Chocolate Cake (350 php)

Framboise (350 php)

The Framboise is probably the worst option.  We failed to appreciate this.

Mom's Complimentary Surprise Birthday Cake

They prepared a little surprise treat for my mom which was cool.  We got to take home this flourless chocolate cake.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We were very satisfied with the serving size and quality at Impressions.  For us, it the price we paid was a worth every peso.  If  you're looking for a fulfilling French dining experience, then this is a great choice.

My parents loved telling us their dating tales.  One of their favorite steakhouses back then is Cowrie Grill.  So imagine how delighted my little sister and I when we saw it at Greenhills Promenade.

Cowrie Grill has a simplistic facade.

But, it has a glass that allows one to view what's its enchanting interiors.  It has a classy bar.

And, a wonderful dining area with well-cushioned lofts and chairs, crystal lighting and private booths.


Table is set up for a fancy fine dining experience.

Food

Soups and Salads
Who needs a serenade when you can have expert chefs doing their flambe by your tableside.

Watch how our lobster medallion is flambed...

Lobster Bisque (300 php)

before they were tossed in our soup bowls.

Lobster Bisque (300 php)

Although we found it a wee bit salty, we enjoyed this warm and soothing Lobster Bisque.

Next, is our Maitre D' Caesar Salad Prepared Tableside.



The chef was nice enough to explain each ingredient as he placed and mixed them into the big wooden salad bowl. 

Maitre D' Caesar Salad Prepared Tableside (300 php)

This is one glorious Maitre D' Caesar Salad.  It has generous servings of olive oil, greens, garlic bacon and cheese which I like.  Little sister is not as fond of caesar salad as I am so I'm glad she gladly left more for me.

Signature Dishes

Angus Beef Rib US English Cut 280 grams (1,500 php)

The Angus Beef Rib US English Cut 280 grams is served with baked potato, vegetables and sauces.  We really loved how tender this is.  My little sister is such a picky eater and she usually eats just a handful portion.  But, she loved this so much that she swept her plate clean.  I managed to finish this too though I can't deny how heavy it was on my tummy.  

As expected, you can request the doneness of your steak.

Cheese and Sweet Indulgence

Baked Alaska (420 php)

We both had high expectations for the gorgeous Baked Alaska.  


We also had this flambed by our tableside (haha I guess we find fire displays quite entertaining).

Baked Alaska (420 php)

The Baked Alaska (420 php) is strawberry and vanilla ice cream, sponge cake, browned meringue and flambe with brandy.  Although it appealed to our eyes, it failed to appeal to our taste buds.  The sponge cake was too rough and dry that it failed to harmonized with the strawberry and vanilla ice cream and soft meringue.

Drinks
There are also drink selections which you can enjoy with your meal.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We definitely enjoyed our steak at Cowrie Grill.  Now, we understand why our parents love it so much. 

I've been busy for the past few months so I've missed quite a number of family gatherings so my cousins were joking that if I don't show up soon, I'll be stricken off the family roster.  So on my dear cousin's birthday at Lusso by Margarita Fores, I made sure I'd come and I did. 

For family members who haven't dined at Lusso before, we have to admit, we passed by it before we actually found it.  It had no signage except on the door which is hardly noticeable... Can you see it?

Lusso means "luxe" in Italian which probably explains the elegant interiors and the gigantic crystal chandelier.  Space is quite limited so it afforded us with privacy all night long.

Every gathering for me is a testament that my grandparents were the best kind of couple who established and taught our clan well.  Though the world may be chaotic, my mom together with my uncles and aunts are always working  hand-in-hand, overcoming struggles and celebrating together.  Belonging to our dynamically interwoven, expansive and expanding, fun-loving, optimistic and hard-working family, I can't help but be inspired and molded by it.  As our generation has yet to embark, I'm looking forward to continuing their virtuous legacy. 

Food 

♥ Complimentary Bread Sticks

We were served some Complimentary Bread Sticks which were good so we munched while waiting for our orders.

Dips 

♥ Watercress & Gruyere Dip Vegetable Crudites (375 php)

This Watercress & Gruyere Dip Vegetable Crudites is so good! It was emptied in a flash with the dip bowl scraped clean.  As far as dips goes, this now tops my list beating the usual spinach dips that I encounter.


Bites

Salmon Tartare Mille-Feuille (315 php)

The Salmon Tartare Mille-Feuille is salmon cream sandwiched between crunchy spinach wanton wrappers and topped with salsa.  It was quite enjoyable to eat especially since I love salmon.  But, yes it costs around 50 php per piece!

Plates

Portabello Mushrrom, Asparagus & Goat Cheese Mille-Feiulle (520 php)

The Portabello Mushrrom, Asparagus & Goat Cheese Mille-Feiulle served with Rucola pesto was just okay.

Lobster Bisque (370 php)

Bisque is one of my favorite soup whether it's shrimp, prawn or lobster.  I'm hardly ever disappointed so it's so unfortunate that this Lobster Bisque failed to impress me. 

Pasta

Taglierini Di Lusso (575 php)

The Taglierini Di Lusso is a very rich and creamy pasta topped with pink peppercorn and a small chunk of foie gras with a hint of santol.  As you can see Taglierini is a flat and narrow type of pasta.  I'd suggest this for sharing because of its richness.  For something with its name on, I didn't feel it was justified.

♥ Spinach Taglierini (450 php)

I actually liked the Spinach Taglierini more than the Taglierini Di Lusso.  The cream sauce is the same but it was complemented better by the spinach pasta, Asiago cheese, shitake mushrooms and parma ham.

♥ Luxe Mac & Cheese (645 php)

The Luxe Mac & Cheese is the best baked macaroni I have ever had.  It is topped made use of three kind of cheese and a generous portion of pancetta bits.  This is so good that my 7-year old nephew finished one whole of this on his own.  
 

♥ Lobster & River Prawn Lasagna (750 php)

This Lobster & River Prawn Lasagna is delicious!  But, the price is a bit too much don't you agree?

Sandwiches

♥ Lusso Demi-Pound Burger (850 php)

The only reason why I've encountered Lusso before is because of the Lusso Demi-Pound Burger.  It's hailed as one of the top burgers in the Metro.  So it was only natural that every single one of us has to try it.  We had ours cooked medium and split into three.  It was really good.  Although I expected the foie gras on top of the thick US Beef patty to be a bit bigger.  My brother had his Lusso Demi-Pound Burger cooked medium well and they could hardly distinguish the foie gras.  So moral lesson is the rarer, the better.


Mains

♥ Shepherd's Pie (575 php)

Lusso's Shepherd's Pie is not your ordinary shepherd's pie covered in puff pastry.  It's a glorious rendition with braised lamb chunks in prune gravy and topped with soft and smooth truffle potato puree.  I highly recommend this!

Lamb Shank Ossobuco (950 php)

The Lamb Shank Ossobuco is delicious.  It has a really zesty and clean meaty taste.  But it was not fall of the bone tender as I was expecting it to be.  The saffron risotto that was served with it was lightly spiced so I couldn't help but have some more.


Desserts

♥ Mocca Sansrival (290 php)

The Mocca Sansrival is a 4-layered mocha meringued with rich French mocha buttercream topped with cashew nuts.  This is an extraordinary twist to the usual sansrival.  We were all impressed!
 

Tiramisu Croccante (295 php)

I wonder if it's because I'm not a fan of white chocolate but I failed to appreciate the Tiramisu Croccante.  I liked the crunchy texture but it was too sweet for me.

Drinks

Cappuccino Decaf

The service is really nice.  The served the cake which we bought from a neighboring store using their silver platter and they didn't charge as any corkage fees (very considerate right? ^^)


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict

When dining at Lusso by Margarita Fores, prepare an extravagant budget as you will be paying for the grand fine dining ambiance, first class service and dishes with expensive ingredients.  However, I don't think all dishes are paying for.  For pasta and pizza, perhaps I'd consider Margarita Fores' Cibo more practical and worthy to spend on.