Mrs Saldo’s Garden Christmas Dining at Balmori Suites this December! Chef Rhea Rizzo has brought her garden experience from Tagaytay to Rockwell, offering French Californian cuisine with a Homey Asian twist. Her entire kitchen team, along with all her plates, culinary books, and even the garden ambiance, has been relocated to Balmori Suites for a one-month pop-up, bringing her closer to fans in Manila. (Yes, the Tagaytay restaurant is closed during this period)
We love her signature dishes, as featured during the Cavite Fresh! event at Manila Food and Wine Festival, such as the Thai Fish Curry and the Hokkaido Sweet Potato Mochi. From appetizers to mains and desserts, we indulged in her best of the best creations from collaborations. It’s à la carte 3-course dining (and not a degustation format). Consider lunch for your Christmas gatherings or dinner for a romantic date during this festive season.
Mrs Saldo’s at Balmori
Balmori Suites at Rockwell
Contact +63 917-1002983 to reserve.
December 1 – 31 Limited Engagement
Open Tuesdays – Sundays!
#mrssaldosatbalmori
(Note: Mrs Saldo’s, which means balance in Spanish, is her pseudo name because Chef Rhea is more of a passionate introvert creative.)
Here is a guide to have an awesome experience at Mrs Saldo’s at Balmori Suites:
Outline
Ambiance
Celebrate an unforgettable Christmas party with friends at Balmori Suites, where you’ll enjoy a prime location under the soaring high ceiling amidst the heart of the action.
Immerse yourself in the most romantic ambiance, where lush greenery surrounds you, a captivating skylight casts a warm glow, and you have a front-row seat to the culinary artistry unfolding in the open kitchen.
This high-visibility “aquarium” table offers the perfect setting for a family dining experience, with ample space for everyone to gather and enjoy a meal while being visible to passersby in Rockwell.
Mrs Saldo’s at Balmori Suites Menu: First, Second, Dessert | Wines | Cocktails | Beers
Gather your closest friends for a cozy and intimate dining experience around this secluded round table. Enjoy heartfelt chika and soulful cuisine, all within easy reach, amidst the warmth and camaraderie of your close circle.
First
Indulge in one of the best savory ensaymadas you’ll ever taste, featuring a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors with a patis caramel sauce and a sprinkle of adobo flakes for an added textural crunch. Make sure to try one.
Rache couldn’t stop praising this dish. The yuzu’s vibrant notes, the burst of popping eggs, and the delicate freshness of the raw hamachi all come together in perfect harmony. It’s a delightful appetizer that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
I love the fresh and vibrant flavors of this raw salmon dish, reminiscent of a salmon tiradito. The pairing with the brown rice crisp crackers adds a delightful crunch and keeps you snacking while waiting for the next course.
Second
Indulge in a culinary masterpiece crafted by Chef Rhea: grilled juicy hamachi nestled atop a bed of creamy curry sauce, accompanied by Thai sticky rice that perfectly complements the dish’s rich flavors. Simut Sarap!
We love indulging in curry these days, and the lamb in this dish absorbed all of the creamy curry flavors paired with coconut blue pea rice. Add some of the vegetables on the side to balance the richness.
This is their steak celebratory dish on the menu paired with rice mixed with egg. We had mixed reviews on this, maybe because of the unusual flavor combination and pairing with creamy rice.
McManis Family Vineyards, Lodi, California. Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (₱395/glass)
Saldo’s is known for its Californian wine cellar. Pair their Cab Sauv with the steak.
Dessert
Our favorite Hokkaido Sweet Potato Mochi was soft, chewy, and perfectly balanced with the sweet potato filling. The granita was a refreshing addition, but we would prefer it on the side to control the amount.
This is the rich and satisfying dessert you deserve, ending your feast on a sweet toffee festive note.
My kind of dessert: a scoop of ice cream, a chocolate chip cookie, and a strong cup of coffee.
For a Filipino treat, try a banana cheese turon à la mode with chai tea ice cream.
A refreshing and cheesy finale with crumbly bits and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to bring all the flavors together.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we had a thoroughly enjoyable experience at Mrs. Saldo’s Balmori. Her soul food, infused with influences from Napa Valley and Thai cuisines, was perfectly complemented by the vibrant urban garden setting.
We recommend the Hamachi Crudo and Savory Caramel Cheese Bun as the first course, and the Thai Fish Curry or Lamb Mussaman Curry as your main course. For dessert, order one order each to mix and match flavors for a sweet ending. Budget about ₱2,500 per head for a full three-course meal.
For a tranquil dining experience, consider visiting Balmori during the late lunch hours, avoiding the dinner rush. Their appetizers and first courses are ideal for a satisfying merienda or a light late lunch.
Congratulations to the Mrs. Saldo’s team from Tagaytay for their successful transition to the Rockwell dining scene! Your unwavering dedication has brought you a long way, and we extend our warmest wishes for a prosperous and profitable Christmas pop-up at Balmori Suites.
Mrs Saldo’s at Balmori
Balmori Suites at Rockwell
Contact +63 917-1002983 to reserve.
December 1 – 31 Limited Engagement
Open Tuesdays – Sundays!
#mrssaldosatbalmori
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Thank you to Chef Rhea for the experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Our friend Cyrene recommends the Bibingka Eggnog and Putobungbong Milk Punch for a festive holiday cocktail experience. I sampled a few of the cocktails myself and found them a bit too sweet. Perhaps they’ve already adjusted the sweetness levels since then.
