Lemuria.
For this meal, we were presented with a tantalizing menu of Lemuria classics.
As an appetizer to the entire dining experience, we were given their home-made breads which are freshly prepared in-store using hand-churned butter. Among their selection are French Baguette, Walnut Loaf made with walnut, honey and molasses, and Foccaccia with sundried tomato. These are complimentary and served along any meal purchased :)

Foie Gras Trio (1,150 php)

Braised Lamb & Apricot Galette |(365 php)

Seabass (1,260 php)

Duck Leg Confit w/ Cassoulet  (1,310 php)

Beef Bourguignon (940 php)

Finishing up the main course was a serving of their Beef Bourguignon. As with all flavorful meats, this was braised and marinated for 2-3 days; Lemuria braises theirs in red wine reduction and slow cooks it for a full 8 hours. The effort is very evident with a beef that is absolutely melt in your mouth and flavorful, further complemented by the sweetness that comes with a side of shallots. This was my favorite dish for the evening.

Lemuria Cheesecake (294 php)

A sweet ending to a perfect meal, the meal ended with a dessert bearing the restaurant’s own name, the Lemuria Cheesecake. Arguably very popular, this is not just like any other cheesecake. Lemuria uses a combination of Carabao’s Milk, Goat’s Cheese, and Dulce de Leche to achieve a distinct and original cheesecake flavor that is full, creamy with a harmonious blend of dairy. Topped with their homemade strawberry compote and this dessert was just the perfect way to end the night.



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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.

USPB has organized the US Potato Safari 3 which I've learned is an annual event.  I was fortunate enough to be one of the food bloggers from Manila who was flown to Davao to try different potato-infused dishes in their partner restaurants in Davao City.   We were also joined by several Davao bloggers who were really nice and cool!  Our first stop was Claude's Le Cafe De Ville.

Claude's Le Cafe De Ville is one of the most recommended places for fine-dining and French cuisine in Davao City.   

Claude's Le Cafe De Ville is located at the Oboza Ancestral House in Rizal St, Davao City.  

The Oboza Ancestral House was built in 1929.  


It underwent 7 months of restoration before it was ready.


I was surprised when Chef Claude Le Neindre personally greeted us as we arrived.  Chef Claude Le Neindre was born in Tours of the Loire Valley in France.  He has over 50 years of culinary experience which includes working in 5-Star chains: the Hilton, the InterContinental, Sofitel and Novotel of the Accor Group.   We're really fortunate that he and his wife Tess decided to settle back in the Philippines so we got to try his dishes.

Upon stepping in, I was absolutely enchanted by the beautiful furnishings and interiors of the place.   It has an aged sophistication and a comforting homey vibe.


It even has private rooms with memorabilia.

Everything was in proper order.  

Food


Before we began our potato-infused journey, we were given their complimentary bread basket with salsa.  I loved the salsa.  I think there's something more to it than what I apparently can see. 

Appetizer

Chili Potato Cheese with Shrimp

The Chili Potato Cheese with Shrimp really surprised me with its wonderful blends of flavors.  For an appetizer, it did a spectacular job in getting us all excited for the next dishes to come. 


Soup

Creamy Potato Onion Veloute

Because, I'm not much immersed the Creamy Potato Onion Veloute is for me french onion soup.  It is really good! 

Salad

Salade Madayaw

The Salade Madayaw is certainly something good.  Madayaw translates to something to celebrate for.  Such name is very appropriate for this salad.


Main Course

Pepper Steak in Hashbrown

The Pepper Steak in Hashbrown definitely deserved the spotlight.  The pepper sauce was so good!

Dessert

Potato Durian Pie ala Mode

Davao is the home of the famous durian.  When I was asked to go to Davao, the first thing that popped out of my mind and made me all giddy was the thought of durian.  So naturally, the Potato Durian Pie ala Mode is a real winner for me. 

Potato Souffle

Perhaps, I was too full from all the other dishes so I was not able to fully appreciate the Potato Souffle.  But, my companions were able to finish it.

                                     Pomelo Shake                                        Mango Shake


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I have to applaud Chef Claude Le Neindre for the wonderful meal.  I've appreciated French Cuisine more because of this delightful experience at Claude's Le Cafe De Ville.  The potato-infused dishes will soon be part of their regular menu so try it out for yourself.