Good food, good times & great company at TriNoma

MANILA, Philippines - You see how nice this spot is?” asks chef Jonas Ng, gesturing towards the alfresco dining area with its landscaped park and gravity-defying water features. This was in response to our question on why he and his business partners chose TriNoma for their Mango Tree Bistro outlet.

Since it opened in October 2010, the restaurant has been drawing a loyal clientele primarily because of its authentic Thai cuisine. With sleek, carefully-designed interiors and good food, it continues to gain a loyal following especially because the flavors of particular dishes are constant. “We wanted to serve authentic Thai food instead of ‘Filipinizing’ it,” chef Jonas points out. This, he explains, is why the owners take great pains to ensure that they have a steady supply of authentic Thai ingredients. “They lend irreplaceable flavors that are distinctly Thai.” 

Tasting portions of a tasty salad and shrimp cakes

Mango Tree Bistro’s Star-inspired dish for the Eat Dining Festival is thad moon goong or deep-fried shrimp cakes that are served with sweet chili dipping sauce. This has been renamed Star Shrimp Cakes and is a favorite appetizer among the restaurant’s clientele. “I think we are the only restaurant that took the challenge literally,” says chef Jonas. Each delicious shrimp cake has been carefully shaped into a star.

Among the dishes that chef Jonas demonstrated was Spaghetti Kee Mow Talay or stir-fried spaghetti with mixed seafood, chili, and basil. This was an innovative take on spaghetti that the audience thoroughly enjoyed. “Light and different. Kakaiba,” was how one woman in the audience described the dish. The best part about chef Jonas’ demonstration, the audience agreed, is that it allowed them to see spaghetti beyond the usual tomato-based sauce. 

Spaghetti Kee Mow Talay or stir-fried spaghetti with mixed seafood, chili and basil.

It was while attending the cooking demonstrations three days in a row that we were able to see firsthand that the TriNoma mall is really where families like to congregate in Quezon City. The rooftop dining area with its lush one-hectare park is a top favorite for families with active youngsters who like to run around; the mix of fun and fine-dining restaurants provides varied choices for good food; and the great location makes the mall convenient for students, office workers and groups of friends who want to do a bit of shopping, or simply get together on weekends.

And indeed, TriNoma is strategically located at the heart of Quezon City. It brings to northern Metro Manila the best in shopping, dining, and entertainment. With the Eat Cooking Festival’s cooking demonstrations, it is a venue for learning and expanding one’s cooking horizons, too.

The sleek, modern interior of Mango Tree Bistro