Timeless 4-Course Dinner @ Ilustrado

I should be thankful for the modern technologies today specifically Internet, because there are various websites which offers great deals, discounts and freebies. Recently, I discover this Deal Grocer offering you a taste of the good life. I was in a hyper mode to study this website last 2 weeks ago and good news; they have irresistible deal for a week, 4-course dinner for 2 at Ilustrado Restaurant for only Php 1,250.00 from the original price of Php 2,500.00. Whoa! When I saw this deal I immediately ask for Ian’s approval before availing it, of course I need to do this whenever I will get some money from our savings. After convincing him about this discount, he instructs me to get one for us. Whee..

About the deal

Valid from February 22 to May 22, 2011.
Available Monday-Friday Dinner (6:00 pm - 10:00 pm), Saturday Lunch (11:00 pm - 2:30 pm) and Dinner (6:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
Reservations required. Subject to seat availability and restaurant’s events.
Upon reservation, please indicate you are a coupon holder. You will be asked for your redemption code.
Please present coupons before ordering.
Maximum of 10 coupons per table.
Must use in 1 visit.
Not valid in conjunction with other discounts, promotions and events.
Dine-in only. Not valid for delivery.
Inclusive of 12% VAT and 10% Service Charge.

Take Note before redeeming the coupon

Bring valid ID
Non-refundable

So after signing up, I immediately check the deal, review it and I end up availing the promo. I’m so excited to use it because this was my first time to try different dining experience in a place with its old-world elegance and timeless, flavorsome Spanish, Filipino and European dishes. I imagine dining at this restaurant located in a cobble-stoned street, hearing the horse-drawn “calesas”, sweet escape from the usual city chore makes my dreamy dinner date really romantic. By the way, in this fine dining restaurant the King and Queen of Spain have been enjoyed eating during their two official visits to Manila.

A week before our schedule dinner at Ilustrado, I keep on reading reviews about the place, how it looks like, the service, the food as well as their price. Thank God, most of them give heart-warming comments which make my heart more longing to experience their amenities. We decided to use it last Saturday after our photobooth session at Quezon Ave. We arrived at Ilustrado around 6:40pm; a nice and courteous waitress assists us in our seats. At first glance I really amazed how Ilustrado Restaurant retained much of its old-fashioned structure. I love the consistent Old Spanish-colonial theme ambiance, the stone garden; the serene walkway beside the restaurant, the cozy and rustic atmosphere plus a very accommodating staffs makes our dinner-date more romantic.

Ilustrado Restaurant

Walkway


Statue of Mama Mary

Fountain

The restaurant ground floors are made of stone while second floors (function rooms) are made of wood. Ilustrado Restaurant maintained its Grand Staircase, stone garden, windows covered by Capiz shells, paintings, history snippets and even the darling kalesa wheels that now function as the chandelier. I simply fall in-love with the place, this was my 1^st time to dine-in at this kind of restaurant.

Table Settings

Paintings

The 4-course dinner was starting off with complimentary bread with tuna and butter dressings followed by a soothing Demitasse of Lobster Bisque with Parmigiano Cheese Stick. I love the sweetness and mild saltiness of the soup. The soup was stiff but you can taste the real lobster. The Parmigiano Cheese stick is better when you dip it in the broth.

Complimentary Bread

Demitasse of Lobster Bisque with Parmigiano Cheese Stick

Followed by scrumptious Paella Ilustrado served Russian Style. I love the presentation of the food, how creative it was and the taste as well. The Paella are topped with eggs, lemon and shrimp, it also includes squid, ham and green peas. The rice was well-cooked, tasty and silky; I guess they put some secret ingredients on the rice to make it yummier.

Paella Ilustrado served Russian Style

Then for the main dish, a choice of their clientele’s favorite entrees; all of which are tender and full of flavor: Roasted Spring Chicken al Orange, Callos Madrilena or Lengua con Setas, but Ian and I settled to try the 1^st one. As soon as the Roaster Spring Chicken arrived, I keep on saying “Wow! Mouthwatering dish”. Same as Paella Ilustrado, the presentation was excellent! Outdid with orange fruits and vegetables, the sauce is sweet and tangy; the chicken is soft and juicy. The orange balances the sweetness of the sauce.

Roasted Spring Chicken al Orange

And finally to end our delightful dinner, a taste of masterfully Mango Jubilee with Ilustrado’s home-made and much acclaimed Sampaguita Ice Cream, flambéed on the spot. I’m so curious about the dessert, Sampaguita flavor? This will be my 1^st time to try this kind of ice cream. You will witness how this special dessert being prepared by a world class chef, Yes! I will cook on your front table. 1^st the chef heat the pan, then a small amount of white sugar wait until it melts, followed by butter, orange juice, mango balls and lastly the exhibition of orange conjure. (The flame starts to blaze up.) Very unique way in preparing our dessert. After preparing the toppings, the chef placed it in Sampaguita Ice cream.

Amazing Chef

Flaming Mango Balls

Exhibition

At first, second and third scoop felt really strange in my mouth, you can taste and smell the aroma of Sampaguita flower which left a persistent scent in your mouth. Well, it is actually made from the Philippine National Flower, believe me! But after drinking lots of water, the taste subsides; thanks to vanilla cream and mango fruits for the semi-sweetness included in this ice cream. Haha.

Mango Jubilee

A cup of coffee and tea ends our 4-course dinner. The taste of their coffee burned my throat just right.

Wow! I have nothing to say about their foods, a very mouthwatering bite which is wonderfully prepared by an outstanding chef plus a very romantic ambiance shared with your love one completes our saturDATE. A really one of a kind experience and a sense of cultural pride plus knowing that we were lucky to grab the offer, 50% discount, amazing right!