For those who are looking for a real intimate fine dining experience, consider the Peninsula’s signature restaurant – Old Manila. A little history, Old Manila is a 40-ish-year-old fine dining restaurant that is known for its contemporary market modern European cuisine and extensive wine selection. It is best for special occasions. Keep reading to know more of our Old Manila experience.
- Ambiance
Old Manila is situated right off the splendid hotel lobby. The interiors have geometric patterns of black, cream and grey with several huge photographs or artworks of Filipino artists around. The boyfriend and I went here for dinner and unexpectedly, we were the only guests for about 2 hours as if the whole place was reserved. It was truly intimate, quiet and refined. They got a low lighting inside which is dim for photos.
- Food
The restaurant menu has limited selections per course of meal. Some of the descriptions are unfamiliar ingredients with Spanish names, thus, feel free to ask for best sellers and recommendations.
The Grass Fed Beef Scotch Egg is a good starter. It is a soft boiled egg wrapped with ground beef, mushroom, and other spices.
For Jamon & Cheese course, here comes the Brillat-Savarin Cabreles Semi-Hard Blue Veined Truffle Gouda Cheese Camembert *Pere Toinou* – too much for the name but it is just a cheese sampler with olives, mustard, and fruits.
Each Grill selection is paired with a side dish and choice of sauce. The Portuguese Spiced Boneless Organic Pamora Chicken is a “Naturally Peninsula” meal which is considered as light and healthy cuisine. On its side is the very flavorful Wagyu Beef Fried Rice topped with a pair of fried quail eggs.
Lastly, for the Mains, we got Twice Cooked Pork Belly which is pretty similar to Lechon Kawali but with the taste of brown apple butter and has a sweet potato on the side.
We intended to skip the dessert since we were both over-satiated with our food choices. Based on other reviews, never skip the Davao Chocolate.
- Something Special: Peninsula’s Pink Campaign
Since it is October, the hotel turns ‘pink’ to participate in campaigning the National Breast Cancer Awareness. Pink-themed drinks are offered across all hotel’s restaurant. A portion of sales on drinks will be donated to the Philippine Foundation for Breast Cancer Care, Inc. One for their offered drinks is the Pink Flamingo Iced Tea, a sweet citrus-flavored mocktail that optionally comes with a “Peninsula in Pink” pin.
- Service
Staffs are accommodating and honest with recommendations. The food presentation is impressive. They serve each course very timely and organized.
Quick Rating:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Ambiance
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Food
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Service
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Value
Old Manila – The Peninsula Hotel
G/F Ayala Tower, Makati Avenue, Makati City 1226 Metro Manila
Phone number 02-8872888
Business website manila.peninsula.com
Hours: Lunch 11:30 am – 2:30 pm / Dinner 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Closed for lunch on Saturdays, Closed on Sundays
Disclaimer: The site and author are not affiliated, associated, authorized, sponsored by, or in any way officially connected with The Peninsula Manila. Featured image credit to the hotel official website. This is served as a guide or reference only.