The mere mention of “fine dining restaurant” makes my cheap-o-meter fizzle. Such was my impression of Ombu, initially.
Ombu is a 50-seater casual fine dining facility along the Mother Ignacia strip. A swanky outfit that takes its name after the Southern American tree, it sits on Sequoia Hotel’s lobby (which also hosts an Ombu branch in its Davao arm).
This South Triangle restaurant is minimalist, elegant, and upmarket: soft, warm lights for every table; expensive wares, cozy leathered seats, clean scent, a strictly black-gold-and-white ensemble. From the outside, it looks a wee bit too classy it’s almost intimidating to come in.
That’s until I ushered myself in.
It may be the groups of friends dining in their shorts and flip-flops, or the sunny and casual (America casual) way the denim-donning staff speak to patrons. The spacious hall had that air of class, but it’s more of a “We know class, but we don’t need to be uptight about it because we like warm and fun conversations better” kind of vibe.
Supper began on a high note: an appetizer of shrimp lumpia – stuffed rolls of batter-fried shrimp with ground pork, with light and sprite mango salsa on the side.
Then after that, empacho sets in.
We were served Ombu’s bests: Crispy Glazed Chicken, Lechon Sinigang, Sisig Pizza, Dilis Rice, and Salted Egg Tempura. Half of the menu consists of such playful fusion of Filipino and Oriental food, and half are modern takes on comfort fare we’ve grown up with.
Maybe except for the Sardine in Olive Oil Penne and Sisig Pizza (which both fell a bit flat for me. The dough could use a little more time in the oven, too.), I loved everything on the table that night — the Lechon Sinigang, above all.
The meat was tender, and I like how they were able to marry two polar dishes – one oily and grilled, the other soupy – and recreated it into something that hits home. While a few ones in the group lamented that it lacked that “kilig-asim” sinigang taste, if you like your sinigang not too sour (which I prefer), then this baby won’t leave you sourgraping. #CornyPun
If the sinigang left us divided, Ombu’s Crispy Glazed Chicken made us all shout a team hurrah. A take on Korean-style chicken, the meat is batter-fried then glazed with sweet garlic sauce. Unlike Bon Chon’s version though (which I find boring), the flavor on this one goes deep into the meat, not just on the skin. Pairs well with their Dilis Rice, too!
And even if it was left out in the cold and swimming in the glaze for so long (because, ya know, we are bloggers and photos always come first), the skin remained crisp and crackling.
Last of the mains was Salted egg tempura, Ombu’s Filipinized version of a Japanese favorite. It’s quaint at first bite, with all that taste of fresh sea and butter and salted egg all coming together, but I find the delight comes in later when you take a second bite. It’s not too salty as one would expected – which is good – and they really balanced the shrimp and salted egg ratio well.
However, my favorite dish that night turned out to be a dessert: Frozen Brazo, a gorgeous four-layered treat of crumbly Graham, mango ice cream, soft and airy meringue, and a thin film of custard (yema) at the center. It’s a refreshing meal ender that brings three beautiful worlds together; not too sweet and far from sparse.
Redzepi says, “Fine dining is an occasional treat for most people.” I’m part of the smaller group that does it less than occasionally.
But even then, I would count Ombu in om my list of fine dining facilities to return to. The food, for its quality and huge portions, is surprisingly affordable (ranging from P120-P510 for the mains; good for sharing), and the space, a pleasant nook to cozy up with friends or family while enjoying real food. It’s that kind of restaurant that glitters and crushes your first impressions of places that do.
But even then, I would count Ombu in om my list of fine dining facilities to return to. The food, for its quality and huge portions, is surprisingly affordable (ranging from P120-P510 for the mains; good for sharing), and the space, a pleasant nook to cozy up with friends or family while enjoying real food. It’s that kind of restaurant that glitters and crushes your first impressions of places that do.
This one I will come back for. And the much raved Crispy Tadyang.
Ombu
Address: Ground Floor, Sequoia Hotel, Mother Ignacia Avenue, corner Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Phone:(02) 4411789
View Ombu’s Menu and price list below.
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