Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: Metro Cuisines

Living far from work, we usually dine out before we head home because it's just too late to cook!  There are days we long for home-style cooking and I'm glad there's a restaurant conveniently located along Amoranto St. (formerly Retiro) called Metro Cuisines.  To the Weekend Food Tripping readers out there, I've dined in this restaurant June of this year and I'm quite happy the restaurant is part of Manila's Signature Dishes 2010.

Metro Cuisines

Metro Cuisines started September 24, 2009.  A restaurant inspired by a family member, that's why it's not surprising to see the restaurant attracting a lot of family gatherings!

The size of the restaurant is a bit small serving approximately 20-25 customers at the same time.  I was able to have a quick chat with the owner Chef Marco Tan and I was told the restaurant's mostly packed and there's a lot of take out orders and catering services.  With regards tot he menu, they try to add up approximately 5 new dishes quarterly giving customers new dining pleasure each time to go back.

Here's what we had for the night...

Metro Iced Tea

The Metro Iced Tea has always been my favorite iced tea ever since I've dined in here.  The extra kick of calamansi (local lemon) refreshes me after a long day at work!

 

Soup of the Day (Spinach Soup)

The soup varies daily.  I am glad we were served with authentic Spinach Soup because I want to steer clear on cream based soup that day!  To vegetable-phobic out there, Spinach soup isn't as scary as it sounds, there won't be any distinct spinach taste and the blend of spinach, egg and ginger reminded me a lot of my mom's cooking!  If you're not a fan of ginger, this may be  a bit overwhelming for you but to those who wants to have a relaxing feel, this is the best ginger is good for the throat!

The consistency of the soup is leaning on the "clear soup" type and there are tiny bits of shrimps.

Mushroom Aioli with French Bread

Uncut button mushrooms cooked with roasted garlic and olive oil.  It's not as spicy as the color implies!  Paprika was used to make the dish looks a bit reddish.  This dish is a good appetizer for mushroom lovers!  I am glad the chef added a tiny bit of cayenne pepper to spice up the dish!  I can request for a spicier version but I am sharing this dish with Mr. AMW who perspires a lot with spicy dishes, can't be selfish!

Bake Herb Salmon Set

served with Casillero Del Diablo

According to Chef Marco Tan, the owner of Metro Cuisines: "It's a family recipe. One of our grandmother's famous dishes which we all grew up to love and this was usually served in all family gatherings.  When we open up Metro Cuisines, we asked our Chef to recreate the dish because we missed it so much.  Chef Archie was able to recreate it perfectly and we've decided to incorporate it in our  menu..."

Herb salmon served with fresh tomatoes, Caesar sauce and a lot of herbs and spices on top of the fish baked in perfection.

I actually like the crunchy texture of herbs and spices combined inside your mouth with the freshness of the salmon!  I have to quote Mr. AMW "The crunchy part tastes like sisig" *laughs*  The 2 types of sauces all together gave a nice contrast that even I can't explain!

Panna Cotta

A perfect dessert after a healthy meal!  Panna Cotta is an Italian dessert Filipinos love as I've seen restaurants offering this nowadays.  The texture of Metro Cuisines' Panna Cotta is smooth and the blend of cream, milk and sugar tastes just right.  Not too sweet! It was served chilled.

2 layers of milk and chocolate milk gelatin+cream like texture with chocolate syrup on top reminded me of how it feels like to be a kid again.

Metro Cuisines
Sundays to Thursdays 7:00am-10:00pm

Fridays and Saturdays: 7:00am to 11:00pm

Unit 1C 410 N. S. Amoranto St. (formerly Retiro)

Quezon City

Tel. no: (632) 731-1062

Great customer service not only to us but even on guests coming in.  I can see that the owner is very hands-on in making sure to serve the customers' needs.  They also serve buffet dinner for only Php250.00 (approx $4.00) Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays but you have to call them for reservations as they're always packed.

Have you tried Metro Cuisines?
Any favorite dish from there?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

 Unilever Foodsolutions (UFS), being the preferred foodservice business partners among restaurateurs, felt the need to acknowledge notable restaurants who are developing Manila as a culinary city.  They have partnerered with select restaurants within the metropolis in coming up with signature dishes.  UFS has synergized with these restaurants, both through dish development and promotion campaign for these signature dishes, in achieving one common goal: coming up with a different culinary experiences that provide value for money and culinary memories for diners.  

If you're a restaurateur (or an aspiring one) and in need of help in coming with your signature dish, call (632) 588-8855 or email at foodsolutions.philippines@unilever.com.