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Toast to the new year with Brasserie Astoria’s signature/ namesake Toast Astoria ($32), topped with savoury shoyu brined trout roe, sweet Japanese snow crab (quite a sizeable mound) and fresh-tasting coldwater shrimps on a crispy golden-brown butter fried toast amped up with piquant wasabi aioli and pickled red onions. A very refreshing and refined starter (even better with the squeeze of lime).
As for the mains, we got the Inasal na Panga ($36). It might not seem like much but the charcoal-grilled maguro jaw was well-marinated and meaty - succulent and tender flakey flesh with a smokey crisp crackling skin. Love the slightly fatty bits and you can’t miss the sauce on the side (chef’s kiss). Prepared with annatto, calamansi, ginger and lemongrass oil, the dish also includes a refreshing house-made watermelon atsara to counter the richness.
The Buko Pie ($15) fared a little better in my opinion. Crowned with a sizeable dollop of delicate whipped coconut cream, the flaky crust pie was filled with a deliciously fragrant coconut filling and savoury piquant parmesan shavings as well as crumbles which came together very nicely. Ideal for those who go nuts for coconuts.
I am not familiar with Filipino cuisine so I can’t exactly rate the authenticity but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Hayop! Though portions for all the dishes are generally pretty small for the price.
Sticking to the recommended dishes, one of the small plates to get was the Manam’s Crispy Palabok ($27). Doused in a steaming, tantalising shrimp and annatto sauce, the crisp deep-fried glass noodles tower was yummy and slurpy (kinda chewy). Savoury and umami with the sweetness of the sea, I especially liked the fun textured chunks of charred baby cuttlefish, tiger prawns, tinapa flakes, garlic and chicharon.
Another stellar starter was the Manam’s House Crispy Sisig ($22). An absolute favourite at the dining table, the chopped pork jowl and cheek mix was well-seasoned and very moreish. Served in a glorious sizzling hot plate with spring onions, garlic and chilli, the flavourful crunchy pork bits were even better with a squeeze of lime to cut the heaviness and paired with rice (please get their aromatic Sinangag $7, rice stir-fried in garlic).
To end the meal on a sweet note, the Halo-halo ($18) was decent with the shaved ice (wish it was finer), ube halaya, nata de coco, red beans, palm seeds and macapuno. The best thing was the tasty house-made sorbetes. The leche flan was a little sweet but lovely caramel-y flavour.
And for the perfect snack, ordering their signature brioche donuts is a must. The unanimous pick was the airy Honey | Sea Salt Donut ($5.50). Better than most glazed donuts, the sweet-salty combination was a win (though I didn’t really get the taste of honey) and there is even a mild cinnamon flavour.
Similarly, the Cinnamon Sugar | Whipped Maple Butter Donut($5.50) was superbly fluffy and soft with a beautiful spiced flavour. The Lemon Curd ($5.50) filled donut was wonderfully zesty and sweet too.
Loaded sandwiches and yummy brioche donuts for breakfast! Excited for their return, I simply had to drag my colleagues to try Korio’s classic sammies and more, at their new dine-in space in IOI Central Boulevard Towers.
A fan-favourite, the Breakfast Sandwich ($15) was as good as I remembered. The creamy, piquant Gribiche paired with crisp luncheon meat and melty Cheddar, packed between lovely Brioche slices. Wonderfully savoury and tangy.
For something new to the deli, the Mortadella & Pickles ($15.50) was a little smaller than expected but packs a good amount of grilled cured Italian cold cut. The well-balanced soft potato roll is also stuffed with provolone cheese, mustard mayo, and house tangy pickles. Savoury, meaty, and satisfying.
Another delicious snack was the Oriental Honey Polo Bun ($4.60). Served with two sinful slabs of cold butter and honey. A little bready for me but the golden crusty exterior was fun to eat and relatively light on a whole. The pairing with the firm butter and drizzles of honey on the bun really hits the spot too.