My Birthday Dinner at Lolo Dad’s Cafe (Malate)
3 Jul
Tucked in the corner of Quirino Ave. and Leon Guinto St. in Malate is an ancestral home that is now Lolo Dad’s – an award winning resto and a food lover’s paradise.
Lolo Dad’s is a great date place too. It’s cozy and romatic (perfect for long conversations and whispering intimate endearments), serves exquisite food and is also a historical place. The house has been there since 1941. The wooden walls still have bullet holes; the floor at the restaurant’s entrance is hollow because beneath it is the family’s air raid shelter – remnants of Manila’s scars from World War II.
One of the things I like about Lolo Dad’s is the open kitchen. You can see the chefs at work. You may even opt to reserve the table in front of the glass window so you can see everything up close. 
That night, we decided to try their “Tasting Menu” or degustación, which was prepared by multi-awarded Chef Ariel Manuel.
We were given a basket of bread. But we didn’t try it, as we were saving our appetite. We instead sipped our wines and excitedly waited for our gastronomical feast.
Arrow Squid & Octopus carpaccio with Sauteed Angulas, Wasabi Aioli, Micro Arugula
We started out with Arrow Squid & Octopus carpaccio with Sauteed Angulas, Wasabi Aioli, Micro Arugula, paired with White wine.
The sweetness of the (lightly grilled) watermelon and the light spiciness of the wasabi aioli was perfect with the octopus carpaccio. And the arrow squid was perfectly cooked… This appetizer was great and whet our appetite for the next dish.
Unsalted Butter poached Langoustine, Foie Gras and Sweet Corn Rice paper Ravioli with Oyster foam
2nd course: Unsalted Butter poached Langoustine, Foie Gras and Sweet Corn Rice paper Ravioli with Oyster foam
My two favorites on a single plate… I was in foodie heaven.
The succulent langoustine poached in butter was perfect. The delicate cloud of oyster foam greatly enhanced the velvety foie gras. It’s a sensual party of flavors in my mouth.
Mmmmm….. writing this, I can almost taste it again.:)
This is my fave course, and I wouldn’t mind braving the traffic and driving all the way to Malate, just to be able to partake of this dish again.
Sorbet
Then we were served Sorbet to cleanse our palate. I loved the presentation with smoke coming out of the little clay teacup
Wagyu Beef Chuck Flap and Lamb cutlet with Pastry Crust Cepes Mushroom & Hoisin jus and Sous vide of Carrots
Then we were ready for the next course: Wagyu Beef Chuck Flap and Lamb cutlet with Pastry Crust, Cepes Mushroom & Hoisin jus’ and Sous vide of Carrots, which we had with red wine.
The plating was genius. I was so excited to cut into the pear shaped pastry crust. It’s like opening a christmas present, and a good surprise it was! It’s like Lamb Wellington (instead of beef). The lamb was beautifully cooked, moist and juicy with an herbed goat cheese filling inside. The wagyu beef was good too, but actually the lamb itself was already perfect for me. I’ve never tried lamb cooked in that way and it was really great, satisfying and not to mention filling! Also, I was expecting the Hoisin jus’ to be too sweet yet it works really well with the meat. Chef Ariel’s excellent skills and unique creativity are very apparent in this dish. And for meat lovers, this dish is a blockbuster!
Dessert: Dark Chocolate flan with Fresh Berries & White Chocolate Hot Praline, Almond Nut Tartlet with Mustard and Kaffir Lime Ice cream
Dark Chocolate flan with Fresh Berries & White Chocolate Hot Praline, Almond Nut Tartlet with Mustard and Kaffir Lime Ice cream
Again, beautiful presentation. The sweetness of the dark chocolate flan was perfectly complimented by the tartness of the berries. I really like this with red wine as the chocolate taste is greatly enhanced. The almond nut tartlet is perfect when dipped into the lava of white chocolate (from the praline) and some of the cherry syrup (at the bottom). As for the kaffir lime ice cream, I think it will take some getting used to on my part, as I am not a big fan of Kaffir, but hubby loved it.
It was a great birthday dinner. The “Tasting Menu” is a culinary masterpiece that tickles the palate and enchants the senses.
And guys, if u want to impress your dates, this is THE place. With the great ambiance, impeccable service and unforgettable food, u won’t go wrong with Lolo Dad’s Cafe.
So daddies, bring mommy here for her birthday or your anniversary and I swear whatever shortcomings you have will be forgiven (maybe, at least for the night)
Tasting Menu
Lolo Dad’s Cafe
899 Pres. Qurino Ave. cor. Leon Guinto St., Malate Manila
Phone Number : (63 2) 522-2941, 524-2295, 526-7151
Cellphone Number : +639228125971
Operating Hours :
Monday : Open from 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Tuesday to Saturday : Open from 11:00am to 2:00pm for lunch
and 6:30pm to 10:30pm for dinner
map
Wow!!! This looks great!!!
Happy birthday again 
Thanks Claudine
This looks great and you seemed to have really enjoyed the food. I was drooling as I read your blog. “) I will tell hubby to take me to Lolo Dad’s. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Spoiled Mom,
Yes, pls tell hubby to bring you there for dinner. Don’t forget to make reservations first. Thanks
Hey u make it sound sooo darn good. this post made me so hungry. and the lamb dish looks great! btw, how is their ala carte menu?
Hi Speedster,
They have a lot of great items in their ala carte menu too, like oysters, steaks, foie gras, fish, prawns, duck, lamb etc. Thanks for reading my blog
You can check out their website too: http://www.lolodadscafe.com
Hey girl,
I know how discriminating you are when it comes to food. So I know, the food must have been really great for you to rave about it. I think it’s time to pay Lolo Dad’s a visit again, it’s been I think 3 or 4 years since I’ve been to Malate. Serves me right for moving to the boonies. Congratulations on this great article. Looking forward to reading more of your food and travel posts and more power to you!
Thanks for the support (and the complimets) KS
Go, go, go to Lolo Dad’s na 
nice post
Thanks