Le Jardin Manila is a French restaurant that juxtaposes casual, relaxed dining with fine-dining food.
After a chat with Chef Jonas Ng, it’s clear that the philosophy behind this restaurant is putting a premium on diners’ experiences.
From the atmosphere to the well-thought of food, diners leave not only with slightly rounder bellies, but more importantly, a head and heart filled with cherished memories.
“We knew what you were going to experience from the texture, the colors, the flavors, the scent [of the food]” Chef Ng reveals. And that’s something incontestable.
The restaurant’s light and white design lends a laid-back food experience. It encourages pleasantly protracted conversations savored over impeccably executed dishes.
The food
Kale and Quinoa salad
The strawberries and figs each provides a punch of flavor, while the quinoa adds a layer of texture to this well-balanced salad.
Grilled tuna steak with foie gras and truffle sauce
This dish is composed of a perfectly charcoal-grilled tuna (locally-sourced from General Santos), seared foie gras (duck liver), potato puree, and the element that holds the dish together: the sauce. The latter is cooked for a lengthy two days which is evidence of Le Jardin Manila’s commitment to serving exceptional food without taking short cuts.
Braised beef cheek topped with pan seared foie gras
An interesting dish that presents beef cheeks, a seemingly unlikely ingredient that is surprisingly flavorful, in an elegant manner. Accompanying flavors are that of foie gras (which is a way the dish introduces a melt-in-your-mouth fat element) and a cloud of potato puree.
Creme brulee and Fondant au Chocolat
Sweet tooths are in for a treat with the delicate creme brûlée, a custard dish under a thin layer of burnt sugar; and the velvety chocolate lava cake paired with an equally velvety ball of vanilla ice cream.
That’s not all.
True to the earlier stated controlled experience bestowed on diners, Le Jardin Manila has an excellent selection of boutique wines. Though outside the popular wine producing regions of France, the wineries they procure from produce excellent, smooth, and crisp wine.
What’s the perfect pairing with wine? Cheese. The restaurant boasts–and rightly so–homemade cheeses with various toppings: honey almond, truffle, pepper salt, and rosemary.
Final note: The restaurant is a place where savoring both food and company can be done. It starts with building the atmospheric layers that allow for good food and conversations to blur into a whirlwind of heightened senses for an unforgettable dining experience.
Le Jardin Manila is located at Penthouse, W Fifth Building, 5th Avenue corner 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Telephone numbers: (02)4033049 and +639178176584
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