Sala Bistro (G/F Greenbelt 3)
Sala Bistro is like the younger, hipper sibling of the original Sala Restaurant (formerly based in Malate, but has since relocated to Locsin Building in Ayala Avenue). Occupying a prime spot in Greenbelt 3, this place enjoys a steady stream of fine diners. We recently had the chance to have our fill of chef Colin Mackay’s celebrated creations.
The bread selection was nothing to write home about, with a limited selection. We gobbled it all though, such famished creeps that we are
Their red grape shake was not so good, despite (or, because of?) its syrupy sweetness.
We started off with Salmon Fishcakes with Green Pea Cream and Tomato Salsa…
…and Garlicky Portabella Mushrooms on Toast with Goat’s Cheese and Rocket
The Pear, Rocket Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad was not quite a hit for me, but the others seem to like it.
Setting: Sala Bistro has high ceilings, clean lines, and a bright, vibrant feel. Perfect for get-togethers and suitable for dates.
Perhaps the best-tasting steak I ever had in the country — Sala’s Porterhouse.
Cooked medium rare, the beef was tender and oozing with succulence. This is an absolute must-try. I love it better than any other steak I’ve featured here in the blog!
Another winner — the Italian Seafood Stew — with scallops, shrimp, white fish, and mussels on a tomato bisque. I could eat this all day!
Cannelloni al Forno — baked tubular pasta filled with meat and cheese. It was okay, but not my favorite.
The biggest disappointment of the night was the P690 Fish and Chips. This tasted much like any other deep fried, bland white fish fillet. Definitely not worth P690.
For dessert, we had the Valhorna Chocolate Tart with Vanilla Seed Ice Cream and the Strawberry Meringue Torte. Both were pretty good endings, but I’ll have to give it to the chocolate tart for tasting luxuriously delightful. And I’m not a big chocolate fan, by the way.
Service was not exceptional — we were somehow adequately served and attended to, but not to the levels I’ve come to expect. While our server was generally knowledgeable of the menu, there were several times when we had to call the waiters’ attention for basic stuff, like water refills. At about P1800 per head for all this, the mid-range price point seems justifiable.
Overall verdict. While there are absolute standout dishes here that are really worth making the trip and coming back for, there seem to be certain dishes that are not quite at par. That, plus the not-so-stellar service, has to be addressed in order to make Sala a better total dining experience.
Sala Bistro
Unit 114 G/F Garden Side, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila
(02) 729-4888
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