MADE NICE Rockwell Reboot (A Review)

As featured in 10 Best NEW Homegrown Restaurants in Manila of 2019!

Made Nice quietly transferred and did a brand reboot at the prestigious Rockwell neighborhood with spacious high-ceiling ambiance, Asian-inspired food, and better service.

We tried it recently with our friends from The Blue Leaf, and here’s what we think…

MADE NICE
122 Joya Lofts & Towers, Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell, Makati City
Open daily 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Telephone: +63 917 183-6423
Email: madeniceph@gmail.com
Facebook: Made Nice Supper Club
Instagram: @MadeNicePH

First Things First

Made Nice Supper Club-24.jpg

MADE NICE is a New York-inspired restaurant serving Western cuisine with Asian influences. It’s by the Greatful Group, made up of young New York-trained Chefs—Jack Flores (29) and wife Gabbi Ramos Flores (22), Toby Panlilio (26), Wren Go (27) and Raulito Fores (26).

Gabbi is the daughter of Neil of Neil’s Kitchen fame, while Raulito comes from the Fores clan of Mamou. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of restaurateurs going back to Manila and contributing to the vibrant, flourishing dining scene in their homeland.

The name of the resto is inspired by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara’s “Make It Nice” restaurant group.

Original Post: MADE NICE Supper Club by Young New York-Trained Filipino Chefs!

Made Nice moved to the corner location where Sarsa Rockwell used to be. It’s said to be a malas location, but the team at Made Nice is proving it otherwise.

Soft Opening Menu: Food Made Nice | Drinks Made Nice

We underestimated its soft opening and tried to walk-in, but it was fully booked. Make sure to reserve.

I guess Manila is looking for a nicer place like this, with focus on quality of food and experience (not just making it look nice for pictures).


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Chicken Liver Pate
Chicken Liver Pate (₱295). Spiced Honey, Pickled Onions, Herbs

The liver taste was full-on. This is a nice appetizer to share and nibble on while you wait for your friends.

Scotch Egg
Scotch Egg (₱295). Century Egg, Duck and Pork Sausage, Hoisin

An Asian scotch egg version using black egg, duck and a sweet hoisin which you can request to put on the side.

Secret de Grand Bateau 2015
Secret de Grand Bateau 2015 (₱495/glass, ₱2,195/bottle). Bordeaux, France. Merlot (Vivino rating = 3.8)

Their wine list, which starts at ₱2k/bottle, is curated and made nice.

 


Appetizers

Scallop
Scallop (₱435). Tartare, Bonito Vinaigrette, Pomelo

The scallops, which were served raw and sliced like round sashimi, just felt like eating gelatine and failed to impress.

Vongole
✔️Vongole (₱395). Manila Clams, Tagliolini, White Wine

Loved that there were lots of clams together with a good portion of handmade pasta. I was hoping it had more sauce.


Mains

✔️Duck (₱1,050). Anise, Carrot Puree, Curry Leaves

The duck was nicely cooked, medium well with a nice fatty layer of skin. So good!

Halibut
✔️Halibut (₱755). Mushroom Dashi, Kamote Tops, Tutong Rice

Loved this seared halibut with tutong rice, mushroom and dashi. Eat a little bit of each to enjoy.

Steak
✔️Steak (₱3,599). Serves 2-3. Creamed Spinach, Corn, Steak Rice

One of the best steaks I had in Manila—cooked medium, topped with tutong bits on a bed of steak jus. Yum!!


Desserts

With food this good, a dessert made nice was a must. We tried all the desserts and these were what we liked:

Tres Leches
✔️Tres Leches (₱295)

Not too sweet, milky creamy plus the cake was not too heavy—my kind of dessert.

Pavlova
Pavlova (₱245). Meringue, Vanilla Cream, Fruits

A pavlova made nice and this was how it should be.

Cheesecake
Cheesecake (₱325). Graham Crust, Cream Cheese, Calamansi

The cheesecake was ok, and I liked the nice citrusy calamansi layer to clean the palate.


Final Thoughts

Overall, Made Nice 2.0 is much better than the original Salcedo version, with better ambiance and nicer food.

I love how the main dishes are made nice and made the highlight of the experience. Order the steak, halibut, duck and vongole pasta, and you’ll be a happy diner. Budget about ₱1,900/head (without wine) or ₱2,800/head (with wine).

Make sure to reserve the booth tables for privacy and a nicer view of what’s happening around.

Congratulations to the culinary team of Jack and Gabbi Flores, Toby Panlilio, Wren Go and Raulito Fores for an awesome job in executing their vision of Made Nice.  Galing! Congrats!

 

MADE NICE
122 Joya Lofts & Towers, Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell, Makati City
Open daily 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Telephone: +63 917 183-6423
Email: madeniceph@gmail.com
Facebook: Made Nice Supper Club
Instagram: @MadeNicePH

Related Post: MADE NICE Supper Club by Young New York-Trained Filipino Chefs!

 

Live an Awesome Life,
Anton
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com 

Disclosure: We paid for our meal.  I wrote this article with my biases, opinions and insights.

P.S. We were not able to finish the steak, and look at all that sebo! Drink hot water afterwards.

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2 thoughts on “MADE NICE Rockwell Reboot (A Review)

  1. Hello. I am planning to propose to my girlfriend soon, would you consider this is an ideal place to pop the question? Thank you!

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