Dining Snippets: Toby’s Estate x Las Flores x Relish Luxe Cafe
TOBY’S ESTATE
For a coffee shop, Toby’s Estate’s food commands a high price point compared to most; however, because of its quality and food selection, the coffee shop easily stomps out most of its competition.
CHORIZO PASTA (P350) and FLAT WHITE (P160)
My latest go-to lunch combination would be its Chorizo Pasta, paired with the irresistible Flat White. The Chorizo Pasta comes with a large serving of rigatoni pasta and crumbles of spiced chorizo drenched in a perfect tomato sauce. It's topped with a generous serving of parmesan cheese to make this already delicious dish even more indulgent.
SHRIMP ALFREDO (P485)
Recently launched as part of its seasonal menu, the Shrimp Alfredo easily finds itself as one of the priciest menu items in Toby’s Estate. However, as it’s topped with a lot of fresh, juicy, and plump shrimps; the P485 price tag becomes more reasonable. I love that the dish didn’t hold back on the spice level; however, I found its cream sauce to be in want of seasoning. Overall though, it makes for a delicious and extremely satisfying meal.
Toby’s Estate
Robinsons Cyberscape Beta Bldg., Ruby Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
LAS FLORES
BOMBAS DE LA BARCELONETA (P250)
The Bombas de La Barceloneta are perfect spheres of art; casually described as ‘potato and wagyu bombs’, these perfectly molded balls are packed with a spicy and meaty flavor that’s both filling and delicious. A perfect companion to this fiery dish would be its intensely refreshing Pepino Limon (P395).
PAELLA DE COCHINILLO (P1295)
Unpopular opinion: I really find Rambla overrated and overpriced. I’d rather get my Spanish fare from personal favorites Calderon and Terry’s. However, one dish of Rambla that truly amazed me was their Paella de Cochinillo; which was why when I saw it on the menu of its sister concept, Las Flores; I just had to order it. The undeniable star of the dish would be the glorious pork belly cubes that possess crisp skin and melt-in-your-mouth fatty pork goodness; however, the tasty riso is also a force to be reckoned with as each grain is perfectly clothed in in-your-face flavor.
Las Flores
G/F The Podium, 18 ADB Ave, Ortigas, Mandaluyong
Date of Visit: June 23, 2018 with Lily Chua
RELISH LUXE CAFÉ
Relish Luxe Café is essentially a dressed up sophisticated older sister of Relish Hello Happiness in Morato; however, it still serves the same homey and hearty dishes that it’s known for. Its price per dish may be quite steep; however, most of its dishes come at sizes perfect for sharing.
GRILLED TERIYAKI SALMON WITH ASIAN NOODLES (P580)
Veering away from the usual Roast Chicken, Beef Belly, and Sisig; I decided to try its Grilled Teriyaki Salmon with Asian Noodles; primarily since I’m craving for World Chicken’s Asian noodles. Although Relish’s Asian noodles are distinctly inferior than World Chicken’s in terms of flavor; it is noticeably less oily and greasy. It also features a large salmon steak (double than what Yabu serves for its Grilled Salmon Don) glazed in an delectably sweet teriyaki glaze; which totally justified its price.
Relish Luxe Café
Citadines Millenium Ortigas Manila, Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas, Pasig City
Date of Visit: June 17, 2018
