Hey guys! How y'all doing? The weekend's coming up so I suggest you check out this restaurant that offers Modern Filipino cuisine - Sentro 1771.
Way back in 2002, Sentro 1771 exploded on the local culinary scene with it original Modern Filipino cuisine. Executive Chef Vicky Pacheco brought Filipino cuisine to the next level by presenting local dishes in a chich and elegant setting which combines Swiss and French techniques with that familiar Filipino flavor that we truly love.
I was honored to try their new menu last Saturday with some blogger friends of mine.
Sentro 1771 has a menu not like any other. If you are used to the standard menu that features fish, meat, or appetizers without a distinct recommendation to the first timers, busy people and foodie in us. The menu line up of Sentro 1771 is special because if you are a first timer they have a section of must try's, while for the foodies they have the A la Sentro offerings. If you are a busy yuppie that has no time to cook but still want to enjoy a home cooked meal at the end of the day they have the Home Cooking and Filipino Favorites section. Vegetarians and healthy eaters will have a time with their time at Sentro 1771 in the Vegetables and Salad section.
Sentro 1771 really has the best of both worlds for their customers.
The setting of the restaurant has a very homey feel - like when you are visiting your Grandad or Grandma for the weekend.
The al fresco setting of the restaurant still has a homey feel which is perfect if you will be having that Sunday Brunch with your family after Sunday mass. They also offer a rocking chair for your lolo or lola in case they need to sit for a bit while waiting.
I love how they have the old school menu board outside of the restaurant and has written the menu for the day. It has that old rustic feel to it.
When we got inside to our table, I was greeted by this painting. There are actually several other paintings shown in the restaurant that is really nice since it becomes the 'modern' touch in this homey restaurant.
I was also amazed because they have an open kitchen so you can your food being prepared. I love this concept since it also makes the customer see how efficient the staff are as well. The also have a menu board above the open kitchen so if you are a newbie you can just check this out since they offer the specialty of the house in this section.
Upon settling down in our table, we were served dalandan juice. The taste was really refreshing to my taste buds since its not too sweet nor sour. I would definitely recommend this is you would like a drink on a hot day.
For our first course, we were given Duck Pancakes. These were Peking pancakes filled with strips of native duck slow-cooked in beer, rhum vinegar, soy sauce and muscovado sugar. Priced at 170 php for 4 pieces.
The taste was actually not like of what I've expected. the meat of the duck was tender, much like of corned beef if you ask me. The addition of the vegetable and also the way it was served was quite new to me and its actually a good concept since the serving was enough for only one.
Next to be served was B2B sticks. These are skewered and grilled organic chicken gizzards cooked adobo-style. Priced at 150PHP for 4 pieces as well.
If you grew up eating street food here in Manila that these are mainly called Balun Balunan. I remember my mom freaking out of me when I first ate a stick of these when I was kid. The ones offered at Sentro 1771 was a more tender and the taste would not make you think these were chicken gizzard in the beginning.
Next to our list was the Macau Chorizo and Cheese Tidbits. These are mini spring rolls filled with Macau Chorizo, challots, and keso de bola. Priced at 240PHP.
These reminded me of Lumpiang Shanghai. The only difference is that this spring rolls contains chorizo instead of the typical pork and beef meat. It also has cheese which gives somewhat a smoothness into it.
Next that was served were the camote cups. Carved Sweet potato filled with stir-fried cabbage, Baguio beans and carrots, This is priced at 240PHP for four pieces.
If you are on a diet but you don't want to feel deprived you can eat this since the cups can be eaten as well as a substitute for rice. The taste was something my mom would make me when I was younger since I am not much of a fan of vegetables.
Now onto the meats. We were first served with Chicken Adobo sa Gata. Still retains the vinegar-garlic-peppercorn balance but thickened with coconut milk. Priced at 250PHP which is good for 2 people.
This kind of adobo is more of a delicacy for me since its not every that you eat this kind of adobo. I like that this has more like a simple taste but full on flavor.
Next was lamb caldereta. Boneless Lamb shoulder stewed with carrots, bell peppers, tomato sauce, and spices. This can be mild or spicy, this is priced at 480php.
I was very amazed with this dish. I haven't tried lamb ever so I was in a treat with this. The meat was very tender which is great and it has quite a kick of flavor with the spices.
If you are into seafood, you can try their Fish of the day Pandan. It is a whole fish stuffed with sauteed onions, tomatoes, miso, and malunggay, tied with pandan. 220PHP per 100g. I heard that they use different kind of fish everyday that's why the taste my differ from each fish. I don't exactly know what fish this is called. The taste was quite nice but I can't really explain it any further.
For vegetarians, you can try out the Two-egg ampalaya crepe. Sauteed bitter melon on an egg crepe, topped with salted duck egg. Priced at 150PHP.
The taste was quite familiar to my palette since my mom and dad cooks a similar dish, but they actually mix the egg with the bitter melon. It wasn't bitter as to what I expected it to be which is good.
We were also given the Seafood Bagoong Rice, which is rice topped with grilled squid, garlic shrimps and hito flakes. Priced 530PHP.
The Seafood bagoong rice was a seafood lovers heaven. I don't really eat bagoong, or fermented fish paste, but in this rice dish there was not a trace of the aroma of the bagoong. I do like that it has fish meat so it will lessen your rice consumption.
I know you have been craving with all the food porn that I have been showing you, trust me there is more to come so hold on in there!
Now onto the next dish, This is actually Sentro 1771's specialty: Sinigang na corned beef!
I know what your thinking...
WTH?!? corned beef?!?!
Yes. My dear reader you read that right. It is corned beef. It is Corned beed short plate and boneless beef shanks in tamarind broth and native vegetables. Priced at 595Php.
The taste was very much like what I remember but it wasn't as sour as I pictured it to be. We were told later that you can actually have the taste of the sinigang changed to your likeness. If you want it to be mild, you can ask for it to be milder or to be more sour.
Now lets go to the desserts!
This is Keso Flan. Its eaten with keso de bola and salted egg. The taste was something I didn't think off. I don't think this food combination will be replaced in my palette. It has a mixture of sweetness, saltiness, and a tart like taste with keso de bola.
Next would be Fried suma which is basically fried suman topped with mango slices. The taste was mild and something I think perfect to be served with coffee or juice in the afternoon.
Lastly, We were also served the banana tart. The taste was somewhat like an English pastry I would drink with tea. It was light but sweet whcih is perfect with tea!
If you ask me, out of all the dishes that was served to me. My top picks would be the lamb caldereta, b2b sticks, camote cups and the desserts.
I will definitely be back soon at sentro 1771, the First in Modern Filipino Cuisine for sure. Thank you as well to Ms. Cha Sy of Travelonashoestring.com for the invitation. Please do visit her blog too for the latest and the newest food stops in town.
Sentro 1771 is located in Greenbelt 3 and also in Serendra. For inquiries and reservations call Sentro 1771 Greenbelt at (02) 7573941 or Sentro Serendra (02) 8560581. Also follow them on twitter and Facebook!
Much Love!
xx Alice
