Lunch at Lolo Dad’s Brasserie

I was recently invited by the California Milk Advisory Board in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture to try out different types of California cheeses as interpreted by Chef Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad’s Brasserie in a special California Cheese menu he prepared.

We are all familiar with cheddar cheese but now there are over a dozen varieties of California cheeses that are available in S & R and other supermarkets. For recipes check out this site. This is a treat for all of us specially with Christmas around the corner. For ideas on how to incorporate cheese in your Noche Buena feast click here.

It was my first time to eat at Lolo Dad’s Brasserie so I was very excited since I’ve heard all about chef Ariel Manuel and how good the food was at his restaurants. Thankfully the invitation was for me and a guest. Elisa was only too happy to join me for lunch.

This was our special menu for lunch. I was ecstatic to see that all my favorite food were present -soup, pizza and pasta. This was just perfect since I just love cheese. Next to chocolate that’s my next favorite ingredient.

sampler of California cheeses

I love all kinds of cheeses but I prefer sharp and strong flavored cheeses to the milder varieties. No wonder the soup was my favorite from lunch. The soup itself was creamy but light and the flavor of the sharp cheddar was strong yet not overpowering. The mild taste of the smoked salmon on crisp bruschetta provided the perfect complement to the soup. I was already half full after this starter.

California Sharp Cheddar and Romaine Lettuce Soup Smoked Salmon Bruschetta

This was one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten. The crust was really, really thin and very crisp. It was a ‘barely there’ vessel for the main attraction of the trio of cheeses whose flavors blended well to produce a  delicious pizza.

California Pepper Jack, Swiss and Provolone Cheeses, Mushrooms and Fresh Spinach Pizza

This pasta dish was our least favorite probably since we were already too full to enjoy it. The rigatoni was an adult version of macaroni and cheese with only cheese making up the sauce instead of the usual thick white sauce with some cheese. In this dish the cheese was definitely the main ingredient. I felt the vegetable fritter didn’t go well with the pasta since both were similar in texture and both were mild in taste. It was good though.

Baked California Colby Jack Cheese, Pancetta and Rigatoni Pasta Vegetable Fritter

I loved the simplicity of the food and definitely the cooking was top notch. I definitely want to go back and try their regular menu. I want to try their burger and other pizzas too. And hopefully one day I get to eat at Lolo Dad’s in Quirino Avenue.

Lolo Dad’s Brasserie Menu
tapas, cured meats, cheeses, pizza, sandwiches, appetizer, specialty bread
pasta & filled bread, main dishes, steaks, desserts, lunch special

Lolo Dad’s Brasserie

Ground Floor 6750
6750 Ayala Avenue Makati City
telephone : 8136750