No need to don a suit and tie for this one
MANILA, Philippines – Stepping into Madison’s Bistro Moderne is like entering a fine dining establishment. The lights, the white table cloths and crisp napkins, and even the place’s decor can look a bit too intimidating for the ordinary Filipino.
However, Madison’s is not just for the coat-and-tie crowd – it’s actually a place for everyone.
Bistro Manager Stephen Roberts says they called Madison’s a bistro rather than a fine-dining restaurant because they want people from all walks of life to be able to come in and enjoy without breaking the bank.
He adds they want it to be a dining establishment where people wearing flip-flops and shorts can go to for top-grade food and great service.
A not-so-well-kept secret, Madison’s has been creating a buzz in the foodie community since its soft opening last February.
Roberts says they wanted to iron out the kinks of running the restaurant – starting out with just serving dinner, then lunch and dinner, before finally adding breakfast to their menu. “We’re very careful, making sure that everything is exactly the standard that we want,” Roberts said.
Next door to the bistro is its own deli where people can get fresh cheese, pastries, ice cream, and wine, among others. The meat they use in their dishes is properly aged with flavor, with tenderness locked in. It’s also sold in the deli.
Executive chef Giovanni Sias is at the helm of the restaurant’s kitchen and describes Madison’s menu as “well-balanced,” because it brings together different cuisines and experiences, and translates them into unique dishes.
Curious about the food? Here are a couple of items from the menu:
Don’t let the Speck’s tiny size fool you. These bite-sized creations are actually packing a lot of flavor – a great mix of sweet and salty in your mouth.
While foie gras may be a bit too strong for some people when it comes to flavor, savoring it with greens and a piece of caramelized orange provides a good balance. Add the brioche and the duck ham and you’ve got delight for your tastebuds.
In this day and age when food is meant to be shared with friends and online buddies through photos, appearance does matter. (READ: Dining rules in the age of Instagram)
Chef Sias understands that food doesn’t only need to taste great – it should look extremely attractive and appetizing as well. That’s why, he says, he is very hands-on with the food preparation and presentation. After all, first impressions last.
“Take our tri-color ravioli, for example,” he says. “As soon as it is brought to you, it already looks good with the colors and the garnish. But when you get your fork to open one, it even gets better.”
Each piece of ravioli has a quail egg yolk inside that oozes out as you slice down the middle. The colorful and picture-perfect ravioli comes second only to its flavor.
We can almost hear veggie haters say “Eeew” after seeing “carrot pudding” on the menu. But the pudding is actually a good way to get a veggie hater get some vitamin A into his or her system.
The part that makes this dish so good is the pistachio crust over the fish. It’s a bit salty but is balanced by the cod’s meat and complemented by the carrot pudding’s light sweetness.
Don’t let the guilt get to you just yet. Biting on a piece of the pork belly is an experience in itself. It’s tender enough, it lets you sink your teeth into the meat with little effort. It melts in your mouth and has enough flavor to be eaten even without the sauce.
While the entrees can be very filling, better remind yourself to save room for dessert.
An Italian favorite, Madison’s version of the panna cotta is light and just at the right level of sweetness.
While pistachio makes a good ice cream flavor, we’re afraid that we’re going to have to go with the mousse and mascarpone from now on.
Roberts and Sias both say they haven’t really done any marketing and have instead tried to grow it organically, letting people, who have tried out their food, do it for them. After all, what beats word-of-mouth and social media posts of food photos and reviews?
Roberts adds that after their experimental stage, Madison’s is now ready for more people experiencing an elevated dining experience. – Rappler.com
Madison’s Bistro Moderne is located at the
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