Astralis: The hottest five-star foodies' fave in Rockwell

The food is superb, the wine selection is exhilarating, the desserts are to die for (or should we say, “forget your diet for”), and the place is five-star. Where in the world can you find all that? All this — and more — you can find at Astralis at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati.

It’s been the loudest buzz of the business town since this Diamond Hotel restaurant opened just a month ago. A Diamond in the rough, its popularity has spread by word of mouth — make that contented mouths.

“Since we opened, we’ve been attracting locals and expats alike,” says the young and food savvy Cecile Ang, PR and communications manager of Diamond Hotel.

Here’s where you’ll find captains of industry and assorted businessmen mix business with pleasure or wheel and deal over an interminable lunch or dinner. Then there are the workaholics who like to unwind with good food, good wine, and good company after a not-so-good day in the salt mines.

For us hardworking newshens and good old friends, Thursday is as good a day as any to dine and wine, and catch up on the latest news (read: the juiciest gossip in town) at Astralis.

So, what’s hot at Astralis?

“Here, we serve all of Diamond Hotel’s specialties, cooked by our fine chefs,” Cecile points out. “We have continental and Japanese food — our Japanese chef makes the best pasta, the spicy cod roe spaghetti.”

There’s an appetizing list of starters, of which an easy favorite is the baked Camembert in phyllo pastry with tomato jam, pesto, and pink peppercorns. We can’t think of a more delicious way to say “Cheese!” But if today, you’re not feeling cheesy, try the Parisian scrambled eggs with foie gras served with toast or pan-seared foie gras on kirsch-apple quarters and plums with assorted greens and pommery-honey dressing. And here’s the beef: beef carpaccio topped with arugula, Manchego shavings, grilled pears, and chestnut laced in lemon-olive oil dressing.

When it comes to tapas, Astralis is simply tops. The list is staggering: a heartwarming selection of cheeses and cold cuts (chorizo Pamplona, jamon de Aragon, spicy chorizo Salamanca, salchichon “Tres Reyes,” etc.). But for something fishy, there’s the hot and spicy lapu-lapu and pineapple ceviche.

We savor every bit of our hors d’oeuvres, peppered with morsels of girl talk. And now, we’re ready for something green. The chef highly recommends the GM’s favorite salad, a refreshing medley of sauteed portobello mushrooms and greens on a crispy Parmesan basket, fresh Laguna buffalo cheese, tomatoes, and Xeres-grape seed oil dressing.

If you prefer something more filling for starters, go ahead and order the mini US Wagyu beef burgers done in three ways (on grilled vegetables, on beef confit, and on truffle foam, served with fries or sweet potato strings). The boys in the group enjoyed the mini burgers to the max!

Soup persons (count me in) will be soup-er glad to know that Astralis’ soup selection not only warms the belly but the heart, too. “Every Valentine’s Day, we offer our red beet soup with blueberries at Diamond Hotel,” Cecile shares. “It always does very well so we decided to put it on the Astralis menu as well. Our Astralis guests just love it and it’s kinda healthy, too.”

Health being the order of the day, I order the baked double-broiled mushroom soup. No muss, no fuss, only simply luscious mushroom soup.

Finally, having awakened our lethargic taste buds, we move on to the main course. The choices are aplenty: pasta, risotto, and gnocchi; seafood; and meat. Having stuffed myself to the gills with the tapas, I order something light: pan-grilled Chilean sea bass with lemon anchovy sauce and leeks-mashed potatoes. Truly fresh, soothing to the weary tummy, and yummy!

The meat lovers in the group brace themselves for the braised lamb shanks with cabernet sauvignon reduction and lemon risotto with glazed vegetables; and the grilled US Angus prime rib with poached bone marrow, marsala reduction, and potato wedges (even the boys prefer the ladies’ cut at 11 ounces). The hearty eaters can try the grilled US Wagyu ribeye with roast garlic, potato puree, and mushroom mousseline. Surely, Astralis bridges the continental divide with its extensive menu.

As a sweet ending to a great meal, have some dessert: Creme Brulee Madness (mango, green tea, and chocolate chili creme brulee); tofu cheesecake with warm coffee sabayon; Chocolate Sampler (Diamond’s Le Royale, chocolate fondue with salted caramel macaroons and chocolate raspberry tartlets); Trio of Mango (homemade mango passion fruit yogurt, green mango compote, dried mango skewer in nuttela sauce); warm apple pie with apricot Anglaise custard and pistachio ice cream; chocolate truffle with lemon curd and peanut ice cream; and fruit platter with sherbet. Which one to try? Forget your diet and try ’em all without guilt — they’re worth every calorie (or inch added to your waistline).

At Astralis, good food comes with good wine — it’s a match made in food heaven. There’s an intoxicating list of wines from the the world’s greatest wine producers. Making it to the list, for instance, is David Fourtout, a young and upcoming winemaker in Southwest France, who produces excellent quality wines that have earned him the Best Winemaker of the Year award.

A wine and raclette buffet is available Mondays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. onwards. You can opt to have the raclette only at P390 or the wine only at P650. And the sweet news is a dessert buffet is available Friday to Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. at only P390 with a cup of coffee or tea.

Of course, an executive lunch menu is available at P750 for the three-course lunch and P950 for the four-course lunch.

Now, that’s the real deal!

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Astralis is located at Lopez Drive, Rockwell, Makati. For inquiries/reservations, call 703-2688.