A Breath of Fresh Air in the Fine Dining Cuisine in Manila
Finally, another new secret fine dining place in Manila. Parallel 45 is neatly tucked away in a busy mandaluyong neighborhood along Samat Street. This fine dining restaurant just opened last July 26 and on Popsy’s bday we made sure that this is the place to be to select his 69th birthday. I’ve always been in the lookout for very nice dining places that is not in a hotel but the likes of Chef Laudico in Urdaneta, Tita Monings in Malacanang, Lolo Dads in Malate, and Antonio’s in Tagaytay. This is a place where you celebrate special moments, anniversaries, or reward yourself and your family.
The main chef of the restaurant is Humphrey Navarro who is a very approachable guy and it is easy to strike a conversation with him. At the moment, the main dining space is small which can occupy less than 30 people so you should reserve in advance. There are other function rooms in the 2nd floor which would include a chocolate room and a wine library which is still 70% complete.
I like the way the food is cooked and prepared. The Foie Gras appetizer where very good (although I know that duck liver is fattening). You should try the Soup & Sandwich (with foie gras), and the four dances of Foie Gras (small servings of duck liver cooked in 4 different ways — the “meat ball” cooked foie gras was good). We also loved the starters of a small plate of sea urchin and a dash of caviar. The soup of the day which is like an oyster soup and the mini-sorbet before the main dish was a winner. For our main course, we shared family style the 500g Angus Beef Cowgirl Steak, A Shellfish pail, and Lapu-Lapu for my mom. It was a heavenly treat specially that the cooking is light/healthy and usually with wine as a cooking ingredient. Although the tastiness of the lapu-lapu or the seafood can be improved, as well as the different sauces for the shellfish pail, and the chocolate dessert. The food is expensive so be prepared with a P1,500-2,000max/person when you eat here on your special day.
Here are some of the details on Humphrey Navarro’s Parallel-45:
Address: 871 Samat Street, Mandaluyong City
Mobile: 0917-8906865
Website: http://www.p45.com.ph/ (Still under construction)
Reservations: 718-8888
Popsy’s Bday @ Parallel 45 Photoset
Hi,
I tried P45 about a month ago to celebrate my graduation with my family. We had the Four Dances of Foie Gras, and we agree that the meatball was good and unusual but we still liked the pan fried with onions best. The salad was fresh and the raspberry dressing was divine and not too oily, with generous amount of parma ham. For the soups, both the lobster bisque and the tomato soup were yummy and served hot not room temp. For the main courses, the veal and the duck confit were okay but the sauce served on a plate with the meat were a bit too little. Meanwhile the Seabass with Cassoulet was perfectly cooked, and delicious. For desserts, we had the sampler and the decadence. The decadence was too rich for me, the pudding, the creme brulee on the sampler were delicious but the frozen mango souffle had ice crystals in it.
Finally got to visit the place! 🙂
Though it was kinda scary coz we are THE ONLY guests in the resto last night :O
I love the atmosphere of the place since it reminds me of Europe. I have nothing to be picky about the food either coz it tastes good enough. I have got Halibut Fillet – cooked well enough i.e. juicy. Tried the sampler for dessert and I find myself finishing Just Chocolate even if I am no chocoholic! But if I will ever go back, I will definitely go for the Frozen Mango Souffle 🙂 I like it for being not sweet and icy (but not icicles as pointed above 😉 )
I just wonder if it will stay long … :O Is it normal not to even have one guest on a Friday night?
Hi Anton, would love for you to visit our place, its La Scala Cafe in the heart of Manila, Malate 🙂
Its right across pearl garden hotel, located on the 2nd floor of Stargate pension. Its a dedication to our father who is an avid collector and fan of the 50’s 🙂
would love for you to drop by
contact me at 09063063788, Christine
we’re open from 6pm – 3am Mondays to Sat 🙂
you can visit our multiply site.
lascalacafe.multiply.com
Hi Anton, would love for you to visit our place, its La Scala Cafe in the heart of Manila, Malate 🙂
Its right across pearl garden hotel, located on the 2nd floor of Stargate pension. Its a dedication to our father who is an avid collector and fan of the 50’s 🙂
would love for you to drop by
contact me at 09063063788, Christine
we’re open from 6pm – 3am Mondays to Sat 🙂
you can visit our multiply site.
lascalacafe.multiply.com
Hi. I just found out that Parallel 45 has closed shop. What would you recommend as other alternatives to which you’ve already mentioned? 🙂
Thanks!
i know super late reply…but was just looking for a place to eat in mandaluyong and saw this..i just moved right in front of this resto and closed na pala..sayang!
Yeah they closed when Chef Humphrey moved out because of a heart attack.
They were not able to maintain the quality.
anton