Bistro Manuel

Yiyeni Severim

5.0

I admit, I haven't been to a lot of fine dining restaurants on my own. Why? Budget, companions, and that fear of getting embarrased for not knowing the right stuff to eat.Thanks to my website community and their slew of invites, I get to experience high class dining while I'm with good friends.So here I was in Bistro Manuel, a new restaurant created by Chef Ariel and Mia Manuel of Lolo Dad's fame. For those of us who don't know, yes including me, Lolo Dad's was helmed by Chef Ariel Manuel, it was located in Malate but had to close down. Now, I call it a blessing in disguise since Chef Ariel and his wife Chef Mia has put up Bistro Manuel, a restaurant all their own, to showcase their own masterpieces for the new generation of websites to enjoy.Lunch was very proper, starting with amuse bouche and freshly baked bread with butter, compliments of Chef Ariel himself.Next, we were served 2 espresso cups in neat fancy boxes. At first I didn't know what to do but the curious cat in me just took a sip of each cup. I was blown away. These were soups, and you can down them just like shots! One was tomato based and the other was mushroom cream. I knew I'm in for more treats!The salads came next. We ordered 2 - Romaine Caesar Salad, a classic with some anchovies, pancetta, boiled eggs and some lemon and parmesan dressing; and the Spinach and Warm Mushroom Salad, which had slices of mushrooms, smoked bacon and a roasted garlic vinaigrette dressing. Surprisingly, out of these 2 salads, i gravitated more on the Spinach and Warm Mushroom. It was really that good, and I think the garlic-lover in me enjoyed the difference it made on the tangy dressing.We were treated to a Lolo Dad's classic too! Lolo Dad's Cafe Baked Oysters was a thing of beauty. Served with a twist of delicate angel hair pasta, some melted cheese and a sliver of foie gras, these baked oysters alone are a pleaser. I think I downed 2 of these!Service was impeccable. After a lemony sorbet palate cleanser, we are totally ready for the mains. At first I thought we ordered a lot but I manage to tuck in a little bit of everything on this list:Mild Spice Arabbiata - Penne in tomato sauce with basil, garlic and chili. The hint of chili was overpowering and made the dish more appetizing.Seared Scallops and Scampi - Bechamel-stuffed rigatoni pasta with seared scallops and shrimpsLamb Shawarma Grilled Pizza - A pizza that has that Mediterranean take on it. I was thinking this was made for the International crowd in Poblacion and yes, I was right, this is one of their bestsellers. The pizza has lamb belly, tomato and onions, and served with a yoghurt and chili dip. Very interesting!Only for the Rich Pizza - This pizza is so rich and luxurious, it screams "You don't sit with us!" Luxury does even fit the word to describe its decadence. It has lobster, duck liver, scallops, prosciutto, smoked salmon, carabao milk cheese, and truffled tomato sauce. It looked so pretty, with edible flowers as garnish. Tastewise, everything melded together, and it was truly an indulgence at its peak.Pan-fried Fillet of Salmon - The bacon butter sauce upped the taste of this fillet. Eat with the side of caramelized onions and potatoes, and it's heaven.Roasted Duck Breast - Am not entirely a fan of duck but this Moulard duck was divine. Served with some compressed potatoes and sauce.Lamb and Lamb with Lamb - Absolute one of the stars in this lineup. That's lamb served 3 ways! Roasf lamb rump, stewed lamb breast and fried lamb sweetbrrad with sieved potatoes. Suprisingly, there is no anggo or gamey aftertaste we usually get when eating lamb. Chef Ariel's secret? Best ingredients. No cutbacks. Just fine premium meat to serve to his guests.US Ribeye Prime Steak - No complaints here. Steak was done medium and I couldn't be happier. Served with truffled mash potatoes and chilled hollandaise sauce, this is the steak done right.What's good about the husband and wife tandem of Chef Ariel and Mia, is that Chef Ariel leaves the sweets to Chef Mia. That is her territory and boy, we had the best dessert spread ever! Each dessert was beautifully presented with sugar tuilles and all the fanfare. I can't pick a favorite!Lemon Meringue Pie with Chocolate Ice Cream- Cloudlike meringe pie eated with chocolate ice cream is a dream! Best for sharing!Freshly Baked Apple Tart with Rock salt and Olive Oil Ice Cream- The warm freshly baked tart pairs well with the cold ice cream. The clash of temperatures and textures is always a treat. The ice cream did not disappoint!Baked Cheesecake with Orange in Spiced Syrup- This website is a sucker for cheesecake. I know, right!? The orange and spiced syrup is a welcome addition. The cheesecake itself was sinful!White Chocolate Creme Brulee with Berry Tartlet- One can never go wrong with white chocolate and berries!Tiramisu Souffle with Vanilla Sauce- The coffee-flavored souffle was slowly drizzled with vanilla sauce right in front of us. Plus points for presentation!Declension of Mango and Mascarpone Cheese with Vanilla Frozen Creme and Dulce de Leche Sauce- I will order this again, but I won't share! Hahahaha I didn't know mango and mascarpone go well together. This was a total treat on its own.You wouldn't think a restaurant serving fine contemporary cuisine can be found in Poblacion. Chef Ariel and Mia prove us wrong. It might be tucked away on the 2nd floor of a building, not as loud as other big brand restaurants out there. I felt this was reminiscent of Lolo Dad's fame. A quiet bistro that offers exceptionally crafted dishes, they are slowly making some noise in the website community, with their wonderful food and impeccable service and how Chef Ariel himself builds relationships with his guests and patrons. He opens Bistro Manuel too as a place good for notable events and functions, maybe it be big or small, all depending on the client's budget, with a customizable menu, with chef recommendations. Imagine THE Chef Ariel Manuel cooking for your holiday gatherings or business meetings?! Definitely a great idea!✔️ Bistro ManuelPoblacion Makati

Garden Of Yums

5.0

What I love about Bistro Manuel is that their set menu changes every month. While they still have the classics in their a la carte menu, the sets are more value for money. The food from this set was from their Easter Sunday Special. A definite go to place for special occasions or family celebrations.

Mimirello

5.0

It was a very memorable desgustacion which escalated in moderation from the appetizer to the salad, soup, and main dish. It the chef’s signature cooking on every dish. The degustacion plates were the right portions! Worth the price!

Rabi Lester Sysunbin

4.0

Chef Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad's fame is back with this eponymous restaurant in Poblacion.We loved the ambiance and the view of the open kitchen.Baked Brie Cheese is an excellent complement to our respective beverage of Hoegaarden beer and French red wine. Along with the complimentary freshly baked bread rolls.Complimentary amuse bouche canapés and sorbet palate cleanser added a fine dining touch.Our mains were a good Arrabiata spaghetti pasta - spiced just right - and an ok Grilled Lamb Shawarma thin-crust pizza.Lemon Meringue Pie with chocolate ice cream was good and quite filling Sep 2021 update:Bistro Manuel continues to delight with it's delivered WEEKEND MENU of 6 dishes. This week was themed SICILY and included Ricotta Salata- excellent young ricotta Pesco Spade a la Siciliana- swordfish filletPollo Arrosto- charcoal grilled boneless chicken Pasta 'Ncasciata- baked rigatoni with beef ragu Pizzolo- double crust pizzaCassata- almond cake with chocolate glazeExcellent feast and well worth the price!!

Banu Topaktaş

5.0

Bistro Manuel is a hidden gem. A bit hard to find, with parking nearly impossible, it is a challenge to get to but well worth it. People cite its LoloDad’s heritage however as a millennial that had never tried it, I came to Bistro Manuel with fresh perspective not clouded by LoloDads Memories. Their Php1,800 tasting menu is a hearty, sumptuous experience. I recommend it if you are hungry, looking to treat yourself and not in the mood to go through the intricacies of ala carte. This is a great introduction to Bistro Manuel.Their Ala Carte holds some delectable treats as well Their pizza was terrific. Their pastas are also worth a look. Their grilled swordfish, caesar salad, tiramisu souffle were also all delicious. One can almost order no wrong here, it seems. Notes:- they have a function room for 16 people and you can arrange your own special menu- the tasting menu, when ordered, does not allow the use of senior’s citizen discount. The rest of the menu is eligible.- expect to spend around P1000/head for an appetizer + main + drink OR main + dessert + drink

Garden Of Yums

5.0

In the heart of Poblacion lies a hidden gem that holds food with a lot of heart, at its finest. If Lolo Dad's rings a bell to you, you will be delighted to know that its spirit and passion lives on through Bistro Manuel.Just to give you a bit of a background, Lolo Dad's was once known as one of the go-to places for fine, elegant food. It was sadly closed years ago, but now, Chef Ariel Manuel brings back a taste of Lolo Dad's through their new three-concept restaurant in Poblacion-- Filipino-Spanish tapas bar called Taperia Poblacion, The Sippery Bar for your pre or post-game Poblacion hop or dinner drinks, and Bistro Manuel. All three are located at the Six-Axis Building; Taperia Poblacion and The Sippery Bar are both located on the first floor, while Bistro Manuel is found on the second floor.To be honest, I was not familiar with Lolo Dad's when my friends were asking me if it was similar or had the same owner of Bistro Manuel. I didn't have any idea because I grew up in Bicol for more than half of my life and we rarely went to Manila back then. I really didn't know what to expect when I was on my way there, but I ended my evening at Bistro Manuel with a huge smile on my face and a heart and stomach filled with so much love and passion. I am sad to have missed out Lolo Dad's way back but overjoyed at the same time for it gave me a glimpse of it and saw so much promise and love for Bistro Manuel.The first thing that came to my mind when I hear Poblacion is its street vibe, the late nights, the parties, the alcohol. Upon entering Bistro Manuel's doors, I was in awe, to the point that I even asked myself; "nasa Poblacion pa ba ako?". The interiors, mostly in black and white, were minimal, sophisticated, yet still cozy. It's a perfect place for an intimate date with a significant other, it can host a formal get-together with family or in-laws, even an office or party of any occasion. It can accommodate about 10 to 12 tables as you enter, yet there's a bigger function room available for more guests or private functions, separated by a door that has double walled mirrors for privacy. They also have an open kitchen so you can see Chef Ariel, and his sous chefs prepare and plate your food. Aside from their impeccable interiors, chefs, and food, their service is definitely commendable! Our waiters and servers were very knowledgeable as they walked us through our meal, efficient in providing us everything we needed, and accommodating as they smiled to us and exuded kindness in everything they did. Honestly, everyone at Bistro Manuel wore their hearts on their sleeves as their service was above and beyond what I expected.Before I delay my review any further, here's my experience with these delectable dishes:Home Fish Platter- composed of smoked salmon, cured salmon gravlax, and condiments to compliment the dish. It awakens your senses with every bite of mildly smoked and salted thinly sliced salmon that melts away in your palate. It's also served with grilled watermelon that for some reason tastes like barbecued meat, then slowly breaks in with its natural sweetness.Lolo Dad’s Cafe Baked Oyster with Foie Gras- this Lolo Dad's classic is so addicting. It's fresh oysters baked in a bed of angel hair pasta, topped lusciously with diced foie gras and parmesan cheese. Make sure to eat it while it's hot to let the fresh oysters meddle with lightly dressed angel hair and goey parmesan concoction, with decadent foie gras pop in your tastebuds as everything sinks it. An exceptional starter to give you a glimpse of Bistro Manuel's balance of both comfort and extravagance.Double Espresso Soup- no, this soup does not contain any coffee, but it does pack a lot of bold flavor in every sip. It is composed of a creamy and tangy tomato soup, and velvety and earthy mushroom soup. Each cup opens up your palate in a significant way. The creamy mushroom soup hits you with it salty and earthy flavors, complemented with bits of mushrooms that pops and melts in your mouth in every sip. On the other hand, the creamy tomato soup opens your senses with its tangy notes in every drop. Try sipping into these soups alternately and you'll understand why it was unforgettable to me.Sauteéd Shrimps, Mussels, and Scallops Pasta- all mixed in a luscious bath of cream and truffle butter, this pasta pays homage to the jewels of the sea, paired with its rightful partner, the luxurious black truffle butter, all infused lovingly with al dente pastaDuck Leg Confit- duck leg confit, paired with colorful Mediterranean duck foie gras rice. The duck leg's tender, crisp, and meaty richness pairs well with the subtle sweetness and nuttiness brought out by the Mediterranean rice. Make sure to put a bit of lavender gravy and chilled hollandaise in every spoonful. The lavender gravy adds a subtle hint of fragrant lavender in every crevice and it cuts the duck's richness, complimented with the chilled hollandaise's custardy texture and a touch of tartness as it lands your palate.Lamb and Lamb with Lamb- roasted lamb rump, stewed lamb breast, and fried lamb sweetbreads, all served with sieved potatoes. Elegantly prepared and cooked three parts of lamb in three ways, this dish speaks volumes in texture. The soft and flavorful stewed lamb breast greatly compliments the crisp exterior and buttery interior of the fried sweetbreads, rounded off with the savory, medium rare roasted lamb rump. The sieved potatoes help mellow everything out as you eat this delectable dish.U.S. Ribeye Prime Steak- served with truffled mash potatoes and chilled hollandaise, this hearty, thick cut ribeye steak was head on full of flavor, thanks to its stunning marbling, and Bistro Manuel's remarkable cooking, giving it a gorgeous crust and a juicy medium rare finish. They also serve the crisp, melts-in-your-mouth, toasty morsels of fat on top of the steak. Make sure to get a cut of ribeye and a small piece of that toasted nugget of fat for a more flavorful bite!White Chocolate Creme Bruleé with Cranberry Tart- velvety white chocolate custard with a perfectly crisp burnt sugar top, each bite of this dessert is very light and creamy. It contrasts well with housemade cranberry compote, housed in a chocolate pastry shell that gives the entire dessert a bite into the 'tart' side with sour, citrusy, sweet notes from the Cranberry Tart itself.Tiramisu Souffle- a coffee flavored soufflé, paired with a satin-like vanilla sauce, and chocolate crumble. You may need to wait a while for this dessert, but rest assured that the wait will be worth it! This dessert is served fresh out the oven, lovingly assuring you fluffy soufflé peaks and airy, flavorful bites by the spoonful. To make it more magical, make sure to make a small well in the middle of the soufflé, pour in the smooth and thick vanilla sauce, get a bit of crumble for contrast in taste and texture(the crumble is not too sweet, so it helps balance everything out), and take a bite while it's still hot!Declension of Mango and Mascarpone Cheese- beauty in deconstruction, this masterpiece is made of layers of crisp and buttery puff pastry sheets, diced, ripe mangoes, vanilla frozen cream, and light and airy mascarpone cheese. It seemed so simple and elegant on the plate as it was served, but never have I thought it can be more wonderful once I tasted it. The crunch of the puff pastry plus the vanilla frozen cream slowly melted in my tastebuds, until the diced mangoes, with the light and creamy mascarpone came in slowly as it gave the entire ensemble a hint of tartness and sweetness, crunch, cold, and softness making a subtle and light, yet surprising end to our meal.I honestly can't wait to go back here, for there is still a lot more dishes for me to try here. But one thing is definitely sure; Bistro Manuel gives their entire heart and passion in everything they do. Mind, body, and soul on a plate, Bistro Manuel humbly shares their artistry and love for exceptional food and exemplary service. With Chef Ariel Manuel's artistic vision, passionate heart, and impeccable palate, he can soothe all of your senses with every spoonful of his exquisite feasts.

Nabils M P

4.0

Having multiple food concepts mushrooming from every corner of Metro Manila — our city has become this mega food hub. Patrons of fine gourmet back in the day when Manila had not many choices would remember Lolo Dad’s, an ancestral house in Leon Guinto turned into a restaurant where the discerning food patron would always frequent to get his or her fix of the famous duck confit plates. The restaurant had to move forward with time and it closed down a few years ago.

Memeydita

5.0

They served the best Lolo Dad's with a few addition of dishes for the millenial diners. I find the place welcoming and quiet considering their location in Poblacion. I love the white hues and wood accent which made the place perfect for sincere occasions. On the other side of restaurant you'll see the open kitchen so that you can see how they prepare your food. It's an added show to be honest and will make you feel at ease that your foods are freshly made. Plus bonus is you get a chance to talk to Chef Ariel ask about the food or any appropriate  that you think he can answer. Of course for special moments in our lives we want it to be remembered and this place is one option. You can expect to spend a bit but hey it a special occasion anyway. Good thing they have function rooms if you want some intimate dining setup for your friends or family. As such reservation is your best bet to get all your desired menu and customization if there's any. Otherwise you can opt for walk in.In terms of the food hands down it is SUPERB. For sure you'll gonna love them when you have a chance to dine in here. They're made from imported ingredients and you can really expect quality dishes will be served. Among the great options are:Baked Oyster - specialty of Chef Ariel creamy and savory with Angel Hair pasta. Goes perfectly with Foie Gras. Romain Caesar Salad - 6minute boiled egg, crispy pancetta in anchovy, lemon and parmesan cheese dressingSpinach and warm mushroom Salad - spinach and mushroom salad with smoked bacon and garlic vinaigrette Double Espresso Soup - presented as an espresso shot this tomato and mushroom based soup will surely be the soup you'll sip till the last drop.Arrabiata Pasta - this is a tomato based pasta with basil garlic and chili flakesLamb Shawarma Grilled Pizza - lamb belly, tomatoes and onions with yoghurt and chili dipOnly the Rich Pizza - lobster, duck liver, Scallops, prosciutto, and smoked salmon with carabao's milk cheese and truffled tomato sauce. Ingredients wise it worthy of its name. And totally delicious too.Pan Fried Fillet of Salmon in caramelized onion and potatoes with bacon butter sauceUS Eye of Rib Eye Prime Steak - rendered fat, truffled mashed potato and chilled hollandaise. Love it when medium rare. Very tender and was cooked perfectly.Seared Scallops and Scampi with lemon cream filled pastaLamb and Lamb with Lamb - roast lamb rump, stewart lamb breast, and fried lamp sweet bread with sieved potatoesRoasted Duck Breast - moulard breast of duck on compressed potatoesThe dessert didn't disappoint as well. Presentation and taste? Totally worth a try! Among those to watch out for are:Lemon Meringue Pie Chocolate Ice CreamFreshly Baked Apple Pie Rock Salt and Olive Oil Ice Cream Baked Cheesecake Orange in Spiced SyrupTiramisu Souffle Coffee Flavored Hot Souffle with Vanilla SauceDeclension of Mango and Mascarpone CheeseVanilla Frozen Ice Cream and Dulce de Leche SauceWhite Chocolate Creme Brulee Berry TartletThey're all great to be honest but I'm a little bias with Apple Pie and Declension of Mango as those two are my actual favorites. Overall I loved the vibe that Bistro Manuel brings to their customer. It is an honor to try the well known Lolo Dad's dishes thru Bistro Manuel and we thank Chef Manuel for bringing it back for the younger generation to try. I'm looking forward to try the Degustation on my next visit. 😊

Vielzha Alvianne Lauritz

4.0

initially, i thought it’s a “call before you dine” kinda resto ‘coz of its fine-casual dining category. but it wasnt, walk-ins are entertained but the former is required to ensure that what you want from the menu is served to you because of availability of the food. they have imported and locally sourced ingredients, hence the need to ring in to reserve because it might not be available for walk-ins. nonetheless, this shouldn’t discourage you from visiting this wonderful resto in poblacion, makati. ‘coz the service and the food will leave you praising it from start to finish. may it be a big gathering or solo-flight kinda of special or relax mode eat feels, bistro manuel surely attends to your needs. most of the time, chef manuel is there and goes about w/ the customers re the resto, the food served and what wine pairings are perf for it. had an amazing time stuffing myself of the flavorous and wonderful food items he had in store for us. i mean from the warm bread basket to the wow-factor appetizer, its smokin’ sherbet palate cleanser then the sosh mains down to the gala of their sweet meal-enders - EXQUISITE in all capsoh before i forget. they also serve an 8-course degustation if you’re interested and the cuisine varies too so chef manuel’s interpretation of such rich food is made real in his dishes and i assure you lots of hmms and mmmhs will be heard. parking may be an issue for some, but the guard will tell you where to leave your car safely. the resto is quite out of sight from the main makati ave part and is located at the second floor of the six axis building to w/c i got lost at first but forgivable coz the foods near perfection. my fave:the complimentary bread basket - sweet, warm, fluffy and that butter was lusciousbaked oysters w/ foie gras- surprised to learn that there’s a creamy angel hair pasta at the bottom. only for the rich pizza- the ingredients are so posh that one bite was out of this worldshrimp scampi pasta- ay yay yay the plating was mind blowing ( i wish there was more long macaroni stuffed cheese pasta in my plate) mushroom and tomato soup- served in espresso cups were DELICIOUS! the citrusy palate cleanser sherbet - wowduck breasts - were spectacular, wanted some gravy in it but it was cool. all their desserts were heavenly and looked splendid!

Sari Azzahro

4.0

I’ve never had the pleasure of dining at Lolo Dad’s Cafe in Malate which closed its doors a few years back. From what I hear from veteran (ehrrm!) foodies and what I’ve gathered online, Lolo Dad’s is known for its fine dining, culinary masterpieces and the awards they merited.