Solaire North is making waves in Quezon City with the first entertainment integrated resort in Vertis North. The dining establishments are packed every day, offering access for families without passing through the gaming floors. It has become a popular late-night dining destination since most restaurants in QC close at 10 PM. All the restaurant outlets are owned and conceptualized by Solaire, similar to the original Solaire Entertainment City, except for their first modern Filipino restaurant, Manyaman, featuring reimagined Kapampangan cuisine.
Here are our thoughts on Manyaman and our first impressions of Solaire North.
SOLAIRE NORTH (FIRST IMPRESSIONS)
MANGROVE by Nikolas Weinstein (2024). Samantha Drummond and her design team, Habitus, envisioned the MANGROVE installation for the Solaire Resort Atrium, creating a luminous obelisk inspired by the natural meeting of forests and seas in the Philippines. This 27 x 28 x 35.5-meter sculpture, made from glass, stainless steel, cable, silicone, and acrylic, integrates seamlessly with the atrium, reaching for the skylight like a mangrove tree to create a sanctuary that encourages vertical movement through the space.
As you enter the main lobby, you are greeted by a mesmerizing Modern Mangrove art installation, alongside Solaire North’s beautiful greeters.
What’s impressive is that they use fresh flowers every day; unlike other 5-star hotels in the metro, you won’t find any fake ones here. The Mangrove is surrounded by fountains and water features, which people have turned into a wishing well by throwing coins for good luck.
Finestra. Immerse yourself in the luxurious ambiance of Finestra Italian Steakhouse, where authentic and innovative dishes like Steak Florentine, handcrafted pasta, and the unique Balik Salmon are crafted in an open show kitchen, all while enjoying views of Quezon City.
This is the most beautiful restaurant in Quezon City, located on the 38th floor with views of the eastern side of QC, including the surrounding communities and the lush greens of the University of the Philippines.
The restaurant features real olive tree branches, similar to Uma Nota, and boasts a large open kitchen. The dining ambiance is vibrant and luxurious, with two private rooms available for special occasions or boardroom sessions.
Red Lantern. Indulge in the authentic Chinese cuisine at Red Lantern, where high-quality ingredients and iconic dishes like Suckling Pig and Peking Duck are showcased alongside a renowned all-you-can-eat dim sum, offering a captivating culinary journey.
Red Lantern, the signature Chinese restaurant of Solaire, is renowned for its all-you-can-eat dim sum and perfect for family Chinese celebrations. Located on the 2nd floor with family access, this branch is slightly smaller than the one at Solaire Entertainment City.
Yakumi offers an immersive dining experience by blending timeless Japanese culinary traditions with modern nuances, using the finest seafood air-flown from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market.
Yakumi, located on the 2nd floor, features beautiful Zen tablescapes and a private dining room, offering the finest seafood air-flown regularly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market. The restaurant also has family access without passing through the gaming floors.
Lucky Noodles. Recharge at Lucky Noodles with comforting and rejuvenating soups, noodles, rice dishes, and traditional Asian comfort food.
Lucky Noodles is a 24/7 noodle shop catering to gamers and the late-night eating market, offering comforting Asian food to casino-goers. Note that there is no family access to this restaurant; patrons must go through the gaming floor to dine here.
Food Court. Celebrate the diversity of global flavors with authentic dishes from Filipino, Asian, American, and Chinese cuisines, each representing its culture’s unique traditions.
The Food Court on the 3rd floor is a popular destination at Solaire North, offering a diverse array of food options conceptualized and operated by Solaire to satisfy your cravings. It’s the perfect place to hang out and meet friends and family over a casual meal in Solaire North.
MANYAMAN
Manyaman. Savor true Filipino tastes with classic favorites and Kapampangan delicacies reimagined with a modern twist, all within an alluring space showcasing contemporary local design that highlights the creativity behind each dish.
Manyaman, Solaire’s first Modern Filipino signature restaurant, offers exceptional Kapampangan cuisine in an elevated ambiance, providing both good luck and great food with a Kapampangan flair. “Manyaman,” meaning delicious in Kapampangan,
As you enter, the ambiance feels like a modern version of dining in a Filipino home with heavy cushioned chairs, big plating and flower centerpieces. Best place to reserve would be the booth tables for added privacy with a loungy. It could feel so packed during peak hours.
The mains (ulam) and dining experience are designed for family sharing, served on celebratory plates that showcase the rich flavors of Kapampangan cuisine. We tried the best-selling dishes.
The bread service was a bit heavy, feat. ube, cheese, and original pandesal served with butter.
Hipon sa Aligue (₱1,100)
Sauteed prawns, aligue, coconut milk, spring onion, chili, fried garlic and onions, tomato, cilantro, fish sauce, annatto
It was absolutely delicious, featuring a big prawn in a velvety, thick coconut milk sauce enriched with aligue.
Sinigang sa Miso (₱500)
Boneless bangus, okra, kangkong, horseradish, miso paste, tomato, onion, tamarind, sitaw
If you love Sinigang, you’ll appreciate the sourness from the tamarind and the rich, thick flavor of the miso. The bangus is fried and boneless, and sarap himayin with the sinigang sauce.
Beef Adobo sa Gata (₱1,520)
Coconut and soy braised short ribs, cauliflower, pickled onion, crispy garlic, cane vinegar
This is our favorite and likely the bestselling dish at Manyaman. The beef short ribs are tender and smothered in a coconut and soy adobo-flavored gravy. It’s a must-try with rice.
Tibok-Tibok (₱150)
Carabao milk pudding, latik
Our favorite carabao’s milk dessert from Pampanga has been elevated into a milk pudding dish, topped with latik bits, sauce, and cheese ice cream à la mode.
Patko (₱150)
Cacao and banana filled crepe
A classic cacao and banana crepe dessert served à la mode with chocolate ice cream and soil.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Manyaman lived up to its name, and it’s clear why Solaire North’s restaurants are fully packed and patronized by the QC foodie community. The restaurants feel smaller than those at Solaire Entertainment City, and it seems they didn’t anticipate such overwhelming support from QC. Manyaman is perfect for family celebrations and for treating your balikbayan guests to familiar Kapampangan flavors in an upscale setting. The Beef Adobo sa Gata was outstanding, and I can’t wait to go back and try other items on the menu.
Congratulations to the Solaire North team for a job well done with the dining outlets in QC!
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: I wrote this article 100% by a human with my biases, opinions, and insights. Thank you to Gina and Solaire North team for hosting us at Manyaman and showing us around the beautiful Solaire North!
P.S. The Sky Bar on the 38th floor is set to open in August and will become the place to be seen in QC, offering a stunning view of the sunset and a diverse skyline that stretches all the way to Manila Bay.
