My daughter celebrated her 20th birthday earlier this week. Her birthday dinner request was Grace Park Dining at Gateway Mall since we’ve ever eaten there. Grace Park Dining is owned by Chef Margarita Fores, who also owns Cibo, The Loggia, and Lusso.
I read that this restaurant has a farmhouse theme. There are wooden tables, floors, and doors. I also noticed the abundance of feline decors, especially in the bathroom. Servers are dressed in jeans and crisp white polo shirts with rolled up sleeves. I liked the bright and cheerful vibe. It’s surprisingly quite spacious too.
For our starter, we ordered 3-Page Organic Field Greens and Palawan Honey Dijon Dressing (₱330). Wow. The veggies were so fresh and the dressing was sooo good. We all couldn’t believe how easy it was to eat an entire plateful of veggies without sidings like fruits, meats, nuts, or cheese. They know the correct ratio of veggies vs dressing because everything was just right.
When we asked what else was a good starter, our server suggested Fried Squash Flowers, Smoked Kesong Puti, and Parma Ham (₱540). We all normally shy away from flowers even if they are edible but these were surprisingly delicious. Crunchy outside, creamy inside, and the saltiness of the parma ham made for a very balanced flavor profile.
Because they had to have carbs (I’m on a keto diet now), we ordered Pappardelle Al Telefono & Burrata (₱1,625). I tried a spoonful and wow, the pasta is so fresh (they make it themselves). The sauce was tangy and creamy. It could’ve used more burrata, considering the price of this dish there was just too little.
We also ordered Pan-seared Salmon, Scallops, and Fish Roe (₱1,520). On the list of things I don’t eat is fish skin, but as I was slicing the salmon I saw and felt the crunchiness of the skin. I ate it all. It was delicious. I love how this dish brings out the natural flavors of the seafood without overpowering sauces.
Just to make sure everybody went home satiated, we ordered Grass-fed Beef Meatballs (₱765). It’s made with 3 cheeses, tomatoes, and Italian sausage. You get to choose what it’s served with — Sourdough, Creamy Polenta, or Spaghettini. We picked Polenta because it was the most unique option. Wow. The polenta was cooked like a risotto so it was creamy and cheesy. Lovely, just lovely.
Everyone was too full to order dessert so we didn’t get to try any. We were happy with the food though. It was pricey but everything tasted so clean that you actually feel good after eating. There is no umay factor or feeling of greasiness. All the dishes were skillfully prepared. Service is excellent as well. The servers are very attentive, we never needed to ask for more water and they even changed our plates midway through the meal.
Grace Park Dining
G/F Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City,
General Araneta, Cubao, Quezon City
+639177747223
Like this post? Subscribe to this blog by clicking HERE.
Let’s stay connected: