Café Miranda: A Hotel Restaurant Experience In Ermita

Monday, November 10, 2014

Pork Barbecue Spareribs

D I N I N G

I N M A N I L A

With all the influence of the old Philippines and the presence of modern Manila, Ermita is a pulsating district that’s worth a visit at least once a month if you happen to live in the region. For those on tourist mode from abroad, the location is perfect for leisure a deux, a rendezvous with friends or a solo travel destination over rare books. Most of all, no one leaves the district hungry as there is a restaurant per block.

Serving The Discriminating Appetite

Fortunately, the owner of City Garden Suites understands the evolving appetite of locals and visitors of the area enough to design the hotel’s F&B outlet called Café Miranda to endure during peak season or off-peak, rain or shine. The gustatory desires of Manila is in a tasteful perspective as a result.

Function Room

A Venue With A Strong Presence

Café Miranda’s menu is a good mix of season-inspired local and international cuisines. It offers sumptuous meals and refreshing drinks whether for solo hotel guests or those in the company of family or friends. The restaurant is highly visible along the busy Mabini Street at the ground floor of the hotel, so walk-in guests can also dine in for lunch or make reservations for dinner.

Buffet Breakfast

During my stay at the City Garden Suites’ Penthouse, I had the chance to enjoy a room rate-inclusive buffet breakfast at the F&B outlet. Served daily from 6:00am to 10:00am, the dining experience is a must for morning people like me.

The Black Hole

There was a decent number of dishes on display but it was the restaurant’s saucy and slightly sweet Chicken Adobo that got me returning from the buffet selection. Another delicious dish was the Filipino meatloaf Embutido which was fried after necessary steaming. I also appreciated that there were different flavors of jam to go with butter on my bread.

Hotel guests who happen to book sans the inclusion of the buffet breakfast rate for whatever reason can still enjoy a morning meal experience at Café Miranda on a separate charge by simply stepping in at the restaurant from the lobby and order from the menu.

Sumptuous Dinner of Spareribs

The night before, I spent my dinner at Café Miranda to determine how it looked like after daytime. I remember it to appear stunning with ambient lighting as darkness engulfed the streets outside. I did not expect opulence to be palpable at the restaurant of the three-star hotel but there it was, from the majestic peacock-inspired steel sculpture to the inventive pattern created by the wooden divider.

My buffet breakfast plate

My delicious dinner of Pork Barbecue Spareribs was remarkable in taste. The fall-off-the-bone meat was a good palate massage for me that night. It went down well with a refreshing glass of Raspberry-flavored Iced Tea.

The Lobby Bar

For those who want to unwind over interesting drinks, the Lobby Bar is just a step away from the dining area of Café Miranda. It has a wide selection of wine and champagne, plus mixed drinks and cocktails.

The Black Hole Music Lounge

I had the chance to take a peek of the next-door Black Hole Music Lounge which is a prime hotel facility of City Garden Suites along with the restaurant. It looked spacious and has a dedicated full-service bar, a grand piano, and a stage for bands.

Museum of A History of Ideas

City Garden Suites and Cafe Miranda are also close in proximity to essential tourist-friendly destinations that one can visit on foot at the Ermita district. Such spots include the newly-opened Museum of A History of Ideas (open to the public for free starting December 1, 2014; call 904-0122 for more info), Solidaridad Bookshop for rare book finds, and numerous antique shops.

I happened to visit all three destinations while I was checked in at the City Garden Suites.

When you happen to be in Ermita and need to fill your nagging craving, get a seat at Café Miranda and enjoy the dining experience of a hotel-restaurant with a friendly staff.