A TRY OF ONE OF MANILA'S CLASSICS: A REVIEW OF CLASSIC SAVORY (SM ROSALES BRANCH)

Flourished in its humble beginning as a panciteria in Escolta, Manila in the 50's, Classic Savory is still in its promise of serving hearty meals packaged in both taste and quality.

As it reaches almost every major point of the country (this review goes for their SM Rosales Branch), it maintains a high level of service and a menu that will surely satisfy your taste buds.

History is mounted on the branch walls and ceiling. Pictures symbolize the success of the restaurant and its tenure in the Philippine food industry.

Its staff are very accommodating and hospitable they add up to the flavorful stay in the resto.

The Food

Here comes spinach--and it's as a soup. This has a surprising kick and is a healthy way to start eating. It's flavorful blend with herbs and spices would be an appetizer that would definitely invite you to go for more. 

Chicken will always be of my frequent choices. And this time, it's not the usual one I can find with the famous brand of fast food chains. Marinated as it is, the flavor is so Chinese you would love it (you know how good Chinese food are). Chicken skin gives out a juicy and tender texture that goes down to every strand of its meat. Yummy indeed!

Here's another new to my eye-- the lechon Macau. This roast pig doesn't belong to the usual category of dry and oily as it goes with a semi-sweet, semi-salty sauce that compliments to its being juicy.

Their version of bistek, the Imperial Beef Tenderloin with robust oriental sauce and onion rings will also hype your satiety. 

Yang Chow is much like the usual but serving is pretty more. Its smoky flavor makes it tastier that it it gives more justice to the delectable viands.

Chopseuy is served hot. Veggies are well-handled and prepared in a way that it's still crispy and crunchy. With extra cuts of meats, this old-time Filipino favorite is a must try in Classic Savory!

Dessert also deserves a big thumbs up. Coffee jelly is generously soaked in creamy milk and the coffee flavor and aroma would relax you all the way up!

The Experience

The over-all experience deserves a 3.5 star rating (5 being the highest). Food, Staff, and the store ambiance make me summarize it to one word--SULIT!

A BREKKY WITH ONE OF THE ARISTOCRAT's

Who would resist the tempting invitation of the grandson of one of the famous restaurateurs Engracia "Aling Asiang" Reyes, known as the owner of the iconic Aristocrat Restaurant? Well, passport to this breakfast feast is also no other than Alexie who is admittedly in love with one of my team members, Charlene.

Pause. In as much as I would want to focus on their fairy tale-like love story, I opt to turn my inking to the food fit for royalty (like me? harhar).

We did a visit to their Jupiter St Branch in Makati. The touch of green brought nothing but utmost relaxation. That was really soothing for my eyes which was strained by the eight-hour shift. It is  fact that a portion of its market are the key players and people of the corporate district of Makati. I easily spotted people I usually see in the Starbucks--those group with someone talking while a presentation on a laptop is being shown to like two to three other people. I don't know if it was just caused by the morning breeze of fresh and cold air but I totally find the place comfortable and stress debugging.

The building is 2-storey and the upper level is usually reserved as function hall for events and parties as they also offer catering services to those.

The Royal Choices

To treat the customers like her children--that's clearly readable from a poster hanging on the wall bearing the picture of the owner. The service was personalized and more than being friendly, staff are polite enough to wait for your order.

The royalty-feel will be yours at the most affordable prices. Meals, ranging from breakfast to dinner (well, yeah they are operating 24/7) are pegged at prices you would truly love.  My personal choice that time would go for a boneless chicken meal (Php190). Hearty breakfast you can have from these wide array of options: Tocino Plate (Php255), Longganisa Plate (Php255), Daing na Bangus Plate (Php255), Beef Tapa (Php270)and Longganisa & Chicken Pork Adobo Plate (Php270).  

All meat recipe goes as the following: 3-pc chicken barbeque (Php210), Pork BBQ (Php175), Pork Spareribs (whole at Php345, half Php195). Crispy Pata, Sisig and Sinigang are just also some of the house's sepcialties that you should dare try!

In a diet? Up to grab a light meal? Aristocrat also offers sandwich and merienda favorites. Mouth-watering desserts such as halo-halo, buko pandan, lecehe flan they serve as well. Hmmm... that's summer all-year long for that halo-halo special (my fave summery food).

The Summary of Visit

Truly, Aristocrat is a hub of food juxtaposed with bric-a-bracs of its humble beginnings, good service and eye-wowing presentation.

SAVOR WITH THE VIKINGS (MEGAMALL BRANCH)

The Prep

To ensure that the enjoyment won't be spoiled by long hours of waiting, a reservation was done two weeks ahead. I am a nobody and to my surprise, Vikings would let you feel that VIP treatment you'll always want from the customer service side of things. We did the reservation through their Facebook page and voila! we got some sort of confirmation details, a code of reservation and certain follow-ups from them. From a stand point of a customer, an early 5-rating is well-deserved by Vikings. That's not even close to their table serving!

Warm Up

A warm smile (which I don't know if it's just because they have this new Megamall Branch or what) will be given to you as you slip into their world of food and flavors. That entrance door will bring you much closer to that perfect Filipino warmth and hospitality. An OFW kind of world-class servicing in the local setting. Cheesy. But swear you'll feel and experience it yourself if you'll visit.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Who wouldn't get excited upon seeing the parade of sushi colors, the mouth-watering array of desserts and some other sweets, the thirst-quenching jars of coolers and lemonades, the enticing glaze of roasted pig, Angus beef and that "Thanksgiving" turkey? I took my tour of food to eye those I would want to put in my tummy.

First Batch of Yum.

Some of the most familiar food I picked-- shanghai, siomai (japanese and pork), boneless lechon, gambas, tempura and Angus beef. These all I matched with the all-time love of all chao fan. Of all, that distinct-tasting Japanese siomai is the best. Also, top of my like would be the boneless lechon because of its mouth-melting texture and its being non-greasy it seems like you're not eating lechon at all!

Bread of breeds.
Those who are bread fanatics have a little space to enjoy here. From the simple pudding until the cakes of some names first time I encountered you'll find here. Surely, You wouldn't let this opportunity to indulge yourself much on the carbs of life to just pass by. This oozing basket of breads from different parts of the world would fill the your satiety.





Drink me, drink me not

 I so love the drinks--from iced tea to a range of soda you'll be able to experience. From the simplest distilled water (which is amazingly like it has the "spirit") up to that I-don't- love-so-much beer I let my taste buds experience. And the truth is-- I love them all but my tummy space won't allow them all at once. And so the sampling amount in my glass just to taste them all. I smiled when some people just did what I did.

A bonus would be my own version of root beer float. I tried it with the salted caramel and the avocado ice cream. One word: perfect!

Eating Ain't Over

Sweet tooth would be an advantage since it's raining desserts and sweets in Vikings--ranging from the simple sweet breads/pudding up to those with complex mixtures of creams, whips and fruits on top. If you were not able to taste these, you definitely missed half of your Vikings experience.

Since I love whips and milky textures on desserts i indulged myself on these pieces of sweets.

That Mix/Create-Your-Own Option

Define your freedom! What would be better than putting pasta toppings and mixing the pasta ingredients on your pace and choice! A wide variety you can handpick. Just Tell our friendly crews your table and it will be served hot!

Pause for a Pose

Bonus on the visit are the friendly peeps of Vikings. Of course, it's important you know those who prepare these sumptuous food we have on the table. A photo opp really is deeply appreciated to complete the "feel" of the food review. Kudos to your superb skills of flavorful food and world-class customer service!