Sunday, July 27, 2014

Blackbird ♥ ♥

 

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BLACKBIRD.
It is the hottest table in Manila right now. 

 

 

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The restaurant occupies the Nielson Tower, which was once the control station of the old
airport, then a police headquarter, then an office, then an exclusive lounge, then a library,
before it was converted into one of the most gorgeous dining rooms in the city.

  

 

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More than the beautiful space, it is really Colin Mackay's food I am excited about. 
I have been a fan since his Malate days. Did you know that People's Palace and Sala 
started out in Malate? 

 

 

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We were a huge group so I was able to try quite a few dishes. My cousins know the rules 
by now: Jin gets the first dibs on each and every dish everyone orders, but first she has to
takes photos of them from all possible angles. They indulge me like that. I love my family. ♥

 

 

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Antipasti Platter: Italian salumi, bruschetta, frito misto, mushroom, arancini,
seafood and white bean salad 

 

 

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Buffalo mozzarella, pepperonata, basil, rocket

 

 

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Tiger prawn, pomelo, palm heart, lemongrass, nuoc cham

 

 

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Grilled octopus, cucumber pickle, sesame, soy 

 

 

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Beef carpaccio, artichoke, horseradish, rocket, parmesan

 

 

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Crispy soft shell crab, cauliflower puree, mint, apricot chutney

 

 

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Seafood bisque, fennel, prawn - too peppery!

 

 

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Mushrooms, guanciale, fontina, thyme, truffle oil pizza

 

 

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Blackbird fish pie, salmon, smoked trout, sweet shrimps, creamy leeks, potato crust

 

 

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Seafood Platter: Slipper lobster, tiger prawns, cuttlefish, mackerel brochettes, nuoc cham

 

 

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Branzino fillet, roast fennel, tomato, potato, lemon, rocket

 

 

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Australian chilled grass fed tenderloin, horseradish potato gratin, spinach and confited garlic jus

 

 

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My order of dry rubbed wagyu hanger steak, mustard butter and fries arrived the very last. 
The server said the kitchen had to redo my steak because the chef wasn't happy with the 
quality of the first. Still, this was just okay. The fries were good though. My neighbors kept
stealing from my plate. 

 

 

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Henri Bourlon Chateau Guibeau 2010

 

 

If I did not try ALL the food above and ate just the next four dishes, Blackbird would have been a four-heart experience for me. 

And I know this is why many of you read my blog. To watch me eat the whole menu and get fat while you save all the calories by ordering only my favorites. HMP!!! 

But because I love you, here you go...

Happy eating to you all, and good luck to me! Lol! :P

 

 

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Prawn scotch eggs, betel leaves, coconut chili sambal

 

 

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Twice cooked beef short rib, sweet fish sauce, hot and sour salad 

 

 

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Medium rare US Prime Ribeye with fries and mushroom peppercorn sauce

 

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If you must have starch, this is it. Portobello mushroom, asparagus, fontina, truffle oil lasagna.

 

 

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I also recommend you check out the outdoor dining area

 

 

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How special is this view

 

 

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Look who else were having dinner at Blackbird that night! Thank you, Leo and Marielle,
for my 100% pure coconut water Vita Coco stash! 

 

 

Desserts were lovely. I enjoyed the sticky date pudding a la mode the most.

 

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Baked Alaska

 

 

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Cheesecake, macadamia praline, banana brûlée, dulce de leche

 

 

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Lemon meringue tart, pink peppercorn crust, lavender praline ice cream

 

 

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Sticky date pudding, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream 

 

 

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Burnt butter and vanilla seed ice cream, chocolate brownie, candied popcorn, salted caramel 

 

 

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We brought our own dessert, too!
SURPRISE, AHIA EMIL!!!!!!!!!! 

 

 

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The servers at Blackbird were a bit shy about singing. Luckily, guests from the other table
came to the rescue.

 

 

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Thank you, Tita Virgie Ramos, Susan Joven and Mia Borromeo for providing
live birthday music! :) 

 

 

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HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AHIA EMIL!!!!!!
We hope you enjoyed your cake, because we enjoyed your birthday treat! Hehehe! :)

 

 

Blackbird: Nielson Tower, Ayala Triangle, Makati City
Tel: +632 828 4888