Ilustrado ♥ ♥

Probably because I feel so old already that I choose Ilustrado to be the venue for my 31st birthday dinner.

The restored 19th century house in the Walled City is a reflection of how I feel…

Ancient, olden, antiquated, but still charming and timeless. Ha!!!

 

Nostalgia…

 

Lilac and cream table setting in Bonifacio and Ongpin rooms

 

Ms. Jet Jetajobe of Reservations does a fantastic job creating this dinner buffet menu to fit my meager budget. Thank you, Jet!

Baked eggplant with mozzarella cheese and pesto – tastes a bit smoky

 

Paella Ilustrado – Ilustrado’s version is quite tasty although a bit drier than other paellas. Auntie Sab orders one to bring home, but the package mysteriously ends up in my home. Isn’t my birthday my lucky day?

 

Bonoan bangus relleno – I am a bit worried about this at first, but the fish dish turns out to be quite good. The traditional bangus relleno is cooked in a sweet sauce that reminds me of my favorite unagi kabayaki.

 

Roasted chicken al ajillo – chicken with a spicy kick

 

  Roast pork loin with mushroom au jus – this dish is supposed to be lengua, but many of the aunties do not eat beef. The first batch of the pork is a bit tough to the bite, but the waiter happily changes it to a more tender batch.

 

Pancit palabok – a bit bland. Best when drizzled with calamansi juice.

 

Mango jubilee – not as delicious as when they do it at your tableside, with lights turned off and the chef hypnotizing you with dancing flames

 

And I was worried I don’t have any cake! Clockwise from top left: my cousin Nikko’s homemade panna cotta in chocolate sauce, Diamond Hotel Trilogy Cake, Diamond Hotel Baked Cheesecake, Red Ribbon Mango Cake, Red Ribbon Ube Cake, Ilustrado Carrot Cake

 

I wish… next year I have even more cakes!

 

Everyone in my favorite color. Isn’t purple so much better than red? :)

 

Ilustrado: 744 Calle Real del Palacio (General Luna Street), Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632-5273674, +632-527-2345