This was originally published on 9/28/2015.
A couple of years ago anyone can eat at Maria Luisa’s Garden Room. I don’t know exactly why they changed the rules but now you have to be a member of Makati Garden Club to dine there. Thankfully one of my friends was related to a member so we were able to eat there. If I lived in Makati I would apply to be a member so I can eat there again and again.
It was raining cats and dogs that day and we almost moved our dinner but the restaurant required us to pre-order our entrees because we were a big group so we had to push through despite our fears of traffic carmageddon. It was a good thing the traffic wasn’t any worse than usual.
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The restaurant had two dining areas with an assortment of tables and chairs. I personally like this table below.
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These two wouldn’t leave my shot of our table for 11.
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We were given a free appetizer to share but I forgot what it was called. It did have avocado in it.
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We all shared some delicious imported clams in a light wine and cream sauce. We asked for more bread to sop up the tasty sauce.
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My friend asked us to choose which entree we wanted so she can pre-order it. The choices were sea bass, lamb chops, duck confit or steak. I love lamb chops but I find it risky to order it in Manila. I’ve had too skinny or overcooked or fatty lamb chops. These lamb chops were thick and perfectly cooked. The sauce was tomato based with lots of spices. I also loved the potatoes fried in duck fat (hiding behind the lamb). They were the perfect carbs to go with the lamb. I looked around if some friends didn’t want it. Alas everyone’s plate looked as clean as mine.
Yup it was that good.
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The majority ordered the lamb chops but one had the sea bass and another group of 3 shared the 480 grams rib eye steak. I wasn’t able to try either but from looking at their equally clean plates I surmise they all enjoyed their meals too.
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Thanks to the birthday celebrants May, Aida and Florence for the dinner treat!
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The selection of in-house baked bread looked very tempting but we were all too full to buy any. I would have wanted to try the bagel and sourdough bread.
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We skipped dessert and moved to my friend’s house where these two favorites from Dessert du Jour were waiting for us.
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To become a member at the Makati Garden Club you can get the application at the venue, fill it up and pay an annual fee of P1,200. Wait a week or two to see if your application to be approved then you can walk the gardens and eat at Maria Luisa Garden Room. If there’s anyone who’s a member and want to invite me to eat (I’ll pay my share :D) I already know what I want to order. It’s a toss up between the bouillabaisse, ciopino, lengua and 4 hour braised ox tail. Average check is P1,000 and above per head and it’s worth it because of the quality and taste of the food.
Maria Luisa’s Garden Room
The Makati Garden Club
Recoletos Street corner Ayala Avenue, Brgy Urdaneta, Makati City
telephone: (02)552-7051, (02)552-7045
Shoot First Eat Later 