The Farm to Table Concept Goes to Greenhills

In the past year, the restaurant industry underwent a green revolution. Everyone was turning 'organic' or getting on the 'farm to table' concept just like Roots Modern Bistro. Operated by the same group which brought us the sophisticated Wafu, Roots Modern Bistro promises Continental cuisine made from quality fresh ingredients.

The restaurant maintains an earthen motif to complement its farm to table concept; one similar to that of Robby Goco's Green Pastures.

GRANDMA'S BACON AND POTATOES (P285)

We started off with Grandma's Bacon and Potatoes, a simple breakfast dish which featured browned potato cubes, homemade bacon chunks, sauteed mushrooms, and parmesan cheese. It came with an egg, a light vinaigrette salad, and pain de mie (which for me seemed to be simply dinner rolls clumped together). This straightforward dish compensates for its lack of creativity in the tasty flavors it provides.

SPANISH OMELETTE (P255)

Continuing with the breakfast-themed dishes, the Spanish Omelette features a delicious filling made with gruyere cheese, smoked ham, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions. Its plating does need a lot of work though (it seems like an awkward blob of mashed potatoes in my eyes); but I can't deny how flavorful the omelette really is.

SEARED PRAWNS AND SCALLOPS (P520)

This tasty appetizer definitely lent color and attitude to the table. Featuring an eclectic plate with grilled romaine lettuce, tomato confit, sliced almonds, wonderfully cooked shrimps (not prawns!) and scallops; it was a delightfully healthy dish to devour! With its price tag, I would have expected more servings of shrimp and/or scallops though. However, I have no regrets in ordering it, especially since I was won over by its sticky dark vinaigrette!

CRISPY PORK BELLY (P290)

The Crispy Pork Belly was disappointing for me. It featured bland fatty slices of pork belly with skin that's definitely not crispy enough.. However, I adored that it was Latin American-inspired, as it was served up with a streak of delicious chimichurri and pickled cucumbers. Bite-sized watermelon circles also brought life to the plating of the dish.

VEGETABLE AGLIO OLIO (P190)

The Vegetable Aglio Olio surprisingly packed more flavor than that of the Crispy Pork Belly. This vegetable filled pasta dish may look more like a salad; but this is definitely one mean dish! Its mixture of zucchini, shimeji mushrooms, tomatoes, onins, olives, and arugula was divine; that its sloppy plating may be forgiven.

MORE THAN DOUBLE (PORK) CHOP (P488)

If there's one dish that would immediately put a smile on my face, it would be any good grilled pork chop. The More than Double (Pork) Chop definitely delivered! The meat was tender, juicy, and oozing with flavor that you can simply ignore the gravy that it came with. It came with some decent mashed potatoes, and greens to complete the whole dish. This was definitely the highlight of my meal.

ROOTS POTTED DESSERT (P250)

The Roots Potted Dessert is inventive, creative, and fun. Accurately resembling a potted plant, it features a crumbly chocolate cake on top of a generous serving of Madagascar vanilla gelato. Biting in to it was disappointing because the cake was really not delicious. We just ended up scooping the cake out and finishing the gelato instead.

APPLE CINNAMON PIE

The Apple Cinnamon Pie was surprisingly enjoyable. Cinnamon-spiced caramalized apples served as a delightful bed of the Madagascar vanilla gelato. This less famous dessert definitely deserves to share in the spotlight that the Roots Potted Dessert receives.

HONEY AU LAIT (120) and COFFEE JELLY AU LAIT (140)

Roots also has a pretty interesting and extensive coffee selection that you may choose from. I found the Honey Au Lait quite decent for sweet coffees.

Overall, I find that in terms of taste/flavor, Roots consistently delivered. However, a number of it dishes are a bit uninspired or were short on creativity and attitude. It already nailed the ambiance, and the concept; it just needs some sprucing up to be more memorable for its diners.

Droolworthy Dishes: More than Double (Pork) Chop, Apple Cinnamon Pie

Roots Market Bistro

GF Promenade Mall, New Wing,

Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan

Date of Visit: June 29, 2014 (with Wilson Chua, Lily Chua, Jared Chua and Jem Chua)