Fine dining on High Street

MANILA, Philippines - Ever tried a Tessie Tomas Salad? Ingredients are salad greens, smoked salmon, grilled scallops and prawns drizzled with a creamy balsamic dressing. I have been ordering the salad at Duo restaurant since it opened its doors in 2006 at Serendra. According to the maitre d’, the ingredients of the salad were concocted by the celebrity Tessie Tomas herself. Had it been given an exotic name, I would have mistaken it as a French or an Italian invention.

The salad alone is already a meal in itself and is a sample of the innovative wave of Pinoy cuisine that has been upon us the past decade. Our local chefs are beginning to gather laurels and recognition in the international cuisine arena and enrollment at culinary institutes is at a high. I predict that in a few years, Pinoy chefs will be as famous or at par with their counterparts from all over the world. I further predict that Pinoy chefs will one day be as in demand as Pinoy musicians.

On a recent visit to Bonifacio Global City or The Fort, I discovered a new fine dining restaurant at the end of Bonifacio High Street. I was hesitant at first to enter because the restaurant’s name Sutra is a Hindu word that generally means teachings or lessons. I’m one of the very few foodies that couldn’t tolerate spicy or curried food because it upsets my stomach so I almost ignored it until I read the menu at the entrance and saw the list of appetizers and entrees that included Foie Gras, Cheesy Oysters, Angus Rib Eye Steak, etc. I thought it must be a French or European fine dining restaurant.

Upon entering, I was impressed with the tastefully designed interiors complemented by a well-stocked bar. My personal yardstick for a good fine dining restaurant is nibbling slowly on Foie Gras amidst a conducive and sanitary environment. It must have that melt-in-your-mouth goodness coupled with a silky smooth flavor. After a couple of bites, I was impressed. It was as good as the ones I’ve tried at Tivoli in Mandarin and Prince Albert at the InterCon at half the price.

I remember ordering Foie Gras years ago at a fine dining restaurant in Greenbelt 2 owned and operated by a prominent family that owns multiple food chains. The restaurant had nice interiors and the Foie Gras was excellent. I was heaping praises until a couple of cockroaches appeared on the plate and ruined the dining experience. I called the attention of the manager who nonchalantly smashed the roaches with a napkin and didn’t even offer an apology. That was a traumatic dining experience that makes me queasy every time it comes to memory. Thankfully that establishment has closed. 

Sutra’s Foie Gras left me hungry for the main course Angus Rib Eye which I ordered. The 10-ounce steak was cooked to my liking and was as tender as a level five Wagyu without the overwhelming fatty taste. After finishing the steak in three minutes flat, I got introduced to the general manager/owner Kevin Prasad who intimated that they opened just weeks ago. I also found out that he owns Duo and Zuni at Greenbelt 5. Only 26 years of age, Kevin speaks like a true restaurant veteran with extensive culinary knowledge to match. He studied in Hawaii and Australia and ended up in the food business because of his love for discovering new restaurants and exotic cuisine not only in Manila, but also in his frequent travels abroad. I commented to Kevin that he was some sort of a gourmet oddity because he was too slim.

The night I dined at Sutra, I bumped into some friends like Megaworld heir apparent Kevin Tan with lovely fiancée Michelle See and Harry Tambuatco who like me were enjoying Sutra’s fine cuisine. Sutra has an exclusive function room within the restaurant, which is ideal for gatherings and parties.