A world of flavors at your doorstep

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of the four-tower development The Magnolia Residences enjoy the urban comforts that the project provides, and what the adjacent Robinsons Magnolia Mall offers.

When the mall opened a couple of years ago, interest in the lifestyle afforded by The Magnolia Residences grew. Everybody was curious about what the mall could offer. Interestingly, the main crowd-drawer proved to be the variety of restaurants it houses.

“We all know that part of the concerns of today’s busy and active homemakers and individuals is where and what to eat,” says May Precilla, VP for sales and marketing, Robinsons Residences and Robinsons Luxuria. “With a world of flavors literally beyond one’s doorstep, it wouldn’t be difficult to satisfy one’s cravings.”

From hearty home-cooked meals to gourmet creations and healthy fare as well, the choices at Robinsons Magnolia caters to every palate.

“This experience is what we intend to share with the public; that is why we have prepared a tour to showcase the variety of food picks in the mall,“ adds Precilla.

And there is no better way of staging this concept than by partnering with two of the most knowledgeable food connoisseurs in the country — RJ Ledesma and Anton Diaz — the brains behind Mercato Centrale Group and Awesome Planet, respectively.

Through the help of Ledesma and Diaz, The Magnolia Residences City Food Picks is able to provide insights into the best food choices at Robinsons Magnolia.

The City Food Picks kicks off at The Magnolia Residences showroom, which features a one-bedroom unit perfect for young professionals, and a two-bedroom unit ideal for startup families.

The tour proceeds to Robinsons Magnolia’s food court area. In this section, Ledesma and Diaz share their top food picks.

• C’Verde by Big Chill. An offshoot from Cafeteria Verde, Manila’s first vegetarian quick-service restaurant combined with Big Chill’s blended beverages, C’Verde by Big Chill offers a wide range of healthy, meat-free meal options. The uniqueness of C’verde by Big Chill lies in the fresh vegetables used to make its appetizers, rice meals, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and other recipes.

Top picks: the Zucchini Sticks, herb-crusted zucchini served with a rich tomato sauce; and Bean and Cheese Taquitos, beans and cheddar cheese wrapped in flour tortilla, served with homemade salsa or sour cream.

• Zigla! Eating healthy and correctly is Zigla’s main motto. It offers three preset food categories: Rice, Pasta, and Classic, which all have 300 calories or less.  Zigla! also prepares freshly cooked food items. Top pick: the tuna and cheese sandwich, high-fiber whole-wheat loaf loaded with tuna, onions, celery and egg pimiento spread.

• Pad Thai and More! If you’re looking for authentic Thai dishes that are easy on the pocket, Pad Thai and More! offers just that. Serving up Thai noodles, salad, bagoong rice and a variety of other food options, Pad Thai serves gourmet food full of taste and flavor. Top pick: the Pad Thai chicken.

• House of Silvanas. Established in 1995, House of Silvanas enjoyed such a huge following that soon it had opened several branches across different malls around Metro Manila.

Top picks: Silvanas, rich buttercream in between two thin meringue wafers dusted with cookie crumbs. It comes in a variety of flavors such as pandan, strawberry, mango and ube.

• Villa del Conte. After eating at the food court area, guests can cap their meal with Villa Del Conte’s authentic Italian chocolates. This kiosk found on the upper ground floor offers artisanal chocolates that trace its roots back to Padova, Italy, and Villa del Conte’s 81-year heritage of making fine chocolates. What makes this stop so memorable is that the chocolate assortment served to every guest is neatly contained in a gift box.

• The Clubhouse. Since opening its doors at the new Robinsons Magnolia mall in December 2012, The Clubhouse has gained a loyal following for serving simple yet deliciously memorable food that spans various cuisines. The owners, all passionate foodies, collectively call their fare “modern comfort food.”

Located on Robinsons Mall’s upper ground floor in between two top fashion brands, The Clubhouse has quirky chic, homey interiors that make it a perfect spot for reunions, Sunday dinners or a lazy afternoon lounge.

Top picks: Tuyo Rice Bowl, Vigan Longganisa Hash, Hungarian Sausage and Eggs, and the Truffle Mushroom Scramble.

• Gaucho. On top of the City Food Picks list is Gaucho, a two-level Argentinean-inspired restaurant that offers organic pork, US beef and Australian lamb roasted using the Argentinean style of cooking called “a la Cruz” and served with Argentina’s version of chimichurri, a sauce made with herbs, garlic and vinegar but without the spice usually found in other versions.

Argentina is known as a meat-loving nation and Gaucho’s menu reflects that. The restaurant also offers US prime and a choice of steaks from the grill. Guests are also treated to impromptu live tango performances on the black-and-white checkered floor.

Top picks: signature dishes El Pozo de Fuego, meaning “slow-roasted from the fire pit”; Falda a la Cruz, a US beef short plate; Cochino a la Cruz or native free-range suckling pig; and Cordero Entero a la Cruz, or Australian-raised young lamb.

• The Magnolia Ice Cream Flavor House. The final stop on the tour is the iconic Magnolia Ice Cream Flavor house, located at the al fresco area of the mall. Here families bond over the many varieties of ice cream, including ube, chocolate, vanilla and more. The Flavor House offers not only ice cream but also hot meals such as clubhouse sandwiches, lasagnas and more.

Top pick: the classic ice cream.

For more information, call 636-0888, (0925) 333-3333 or visit www.robinsonsresidences.com.