The Tasting Room at City of Dreams, Manila

February 8, 2015 Ruth Dela Cruz

I am a foodie, but I am still unsure if I like French cuisine or not. I mean, I want the beautiful presentation of the food with its delicate plating worth a space in one’s Instagram grid; but (oftentimes) some of these food don’t score high in the taste area. Usually, there is only one dish that stands out from the whole course – the dessert.

The Tasting Room in Crown Tower at the newly opened City of Dreams, Manila gave me a different French dining experience (with a taste of precious Louis XIII – a $200/glass cognac, to boot).

First impressions, first – I only read and seen pictures of the new urban resort (that is, City of Dreams) online. So it was a golden moment when I arrived – well, everything looked gold in my eyes with the rays of sun set blazing.

Click Read More to know more about the Tasting Room French Restaurant…

Off to the Tasting Room, we were welcomed with champagne and some fancy salmon wrapped like candies. Now, that’s creative. I got more curious what was coming out next from the kitchen..

Things became more interesting.. the Nori Butter and Truffle Butter were placed on the table – and warm French bread. Hmm.. I could have these for breakfast every morning! The butter were smooth solid, creamy and tasteful – you could almost mistaken them as a cheese.

The Amuse Bouse is like a Holy Trinity of starters. Goat’s Cheese with Caramelized Pork Flakes; Foie Gras Lollipops and Limoncello Jelly. I first tried the Foie Gras and I died. Pure gastronomic bliss. Imagine eating Ferrero Chocolate with Foie Gras filling, but the chocolate was dark.

I then had the spoonful of Limoncello Jelly – that just instantly popped in my mouth.

I had the Goat’s Cheese with Caramelized Pork Flakes last and I love the contrast of creamy texture of the cheese and crackling bites of the caramel. Unlike the other goat’s cheese I had tried, its lasting taste was something I enjoyed.

Duck Liver Terrine is a play on texture, flavor and shapes of cinnamon, port wine sauce, apple, strawberry, pear, honey and spicy red wine jelly. This dish could pass as a dessert, but its wrap which looks like chocolate is a jelly wine. I love the drops and dollops of berry syrups that temper the flavor of duck liver. Interestingly, I find it good to eat with warm bread 🙂

Soup is 52-degree Egg. First impression – we loved the soup bowl! The greater attraction – the poached egg which was cooked for an hour with olive oil. It was a treat to eat with interesting ingredients re-surfing with every spoonful – onions, truffle (Perigord truffles!) and ham.

Another art in the plate is the 36 Hours Norwegian Marinated Salmon.

This dish looks so gorgeous I could just stare at it for hours. But the salmon looks inviting – opposite the usual slab they serve in other restaurants. It is pink and moist. Don’t forget the caviar on the side. When I had my last bite, I couldn’t wait for the main course.

For the main course, we were first served with this plate – followed by the rich aroma of rosemary coming from tureens that the servers were carrying around the room.

From tureen, is the lamb – French Lamb Saddle!

The #mommist and I both agreed that the lamb was cooked well with rosemary. It doesn’t have the “maango” taste in meat. I love the turnips and stuffed macaroni on the side – and lots of truffle sauce.

Saving the best for last.. the dessert!

Guanaja Chocolate Ganache with Espresso Ice Cream and Spicy Cocoa Mousse.

Here’s how you enjoy it, take a spoonful of ice cream and chocolate bits, then drink cocoa milk. Yum! I am not a fan of chocolate drink but what they served us was so good – I would have asked for another round if not that we were also having cognac that night. 🙂

I missed to tell the Chef how much I love the food that night. At least I have a reason to come back 🙂 It is good to treat yourself to a luxurious meal once in a while, and if you are planning to spend your money on something fine, I would recommend the Tasting Room. You would love everything from appetizer to dessert.

Now, that’s délicieux!

And I truly enjoyed the dinner because of equally fun people who love good food. Amazing how I enjoyed the company of these people, some I met for the first time (hello mommist and lynne_enroute! + partners!) 🙂

All you need in life: good food, drink and good company. @pepesamson @lynne_enroute @rftreyes @mykesoon @dudeforfood @mommist @jay_altea @thefoodalphabet @reybelen @chuckiedreyfus @ruthilicious

A photo posted by YEN DREYFUS (@yendreyfus) on Feb 5, 2015 at 8:27am PST

First time at City of Dreams and loving the Buggy Ride!

Buggy ride at #CityofDreamsManila #vscocam

A photo posted by Love Lynne Esguerra (@lynne_enroute) on Feb 7, 2015 at 1:13am PST

Degustation Menu is priced at P3,200 for 5 courses; P3,600 for 6 courses; P4,200 for 7 courses; and P4,500 for 8 courses.

The Tasting Room

Ground Floor, Crown Towers, City of Dreams

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