Upon learning that Le Petit Souffle at Century City Mall in Makati is a concept by chef Miko Aspiras together with other partners, I knew from the get go that it is going to be a hit. As expected, days after its opening, food bloggers in Manila and other foodies online started raving about the goodness of the dishes being served at Le Petit. Understandably so, since this French restaurant with a touch of Japanese got renowned chef under its helm.
It took me a while to pay a visit to Le Petit Souffle because that is
what usually happens if you are swamped with too much work you can't
even recognized yourself in the mirror or if you live up in the mountain
(both in my case). Nonetheless, my visit poised me to join the band of
people raving about Le Petit.
Tucked inside the Century City Mall which numbers of foodie places including Hole In The Wall reached an impressive mark in foodies' radar, Le Petit Souffle is one of those which you should not miss.
A lot has been said about the impressive
interior design at Le Petit. And I must say that it got one of the
nicest restaurants, interior-wise, which I have ever been to. The
ambiance has the power to transport you into a different place other
than Manila.
Take a few step and you would feel that you are in some lovely countryside home. Take a few more and you will find yourself in some sort of secret garden where all good things are bound to happen - including a parade of really good food.
And there really was a parade of good food.
Having been there for number of times I can't seem to count, Hefty Foodie who I was with during this visit took the liberty in choosing the food I have to try. I trust the kid's judgement on food, so I just took the back seat and enjoyed the gastronomical ride.
Sweet Corn Potage (Php195) Roasted Japanese sweet corn potage topped with salted caramel popcorn and shaved Parmesan.
This thick soup did a pretty good job in prepping my palate for all sort of things to come with its flavor incomparable to any other corn soup. The salted caramel popcorn was a playful addition that does not just stood there as a mere topping, rather, its flavor somehow adds to the richness of the soup.
Sesame Crusted Tuna Salad (Php345) Seared tuna loin, garden greens, shimeji, tobiko with sesame-wasabi dressing on the side.
This salad sort of reminds me of the one which I love at P.F. Chang's with its combination of tuna and greens. But that is not so say that they falls in the same flavor profile since the big difference with the dressing I deem very apparent. I rarely use the word love and wasabi in one sentence but this time I will because I certainly love the sesame-wasabi dressing that comes with this salad. It also helps that the tuna slices fall on the thick and generous side.
This salad sort of reminds me of the one which I love at P.F. Chang's with its combination of tuna and greens. But that is not so say that they falls in the same flavor profile since the big difference with the dressing I deem very apparent. I rarely use the word love and wasabi in one sentence but this time I will because I certainly love the sesame-wasabi dressing that comes with this salad. It also helps that the tuna slices fall on the thick and generous side.
Pancetta Carbonara (Php355) Fettuccine, egg yolks, aged pancetta with shaved Parmesan and roasted cashew on top.
Anything with pancetta especially when well executed is already a winner in my book. This Pancetta Carbonara is no exception. Although one should take note that this is not the kind of carbonara infested with creamy sauce - as a matter of fact, those which love generous downpour of sauce on their pasta may find this one a bit lacking in that aspect. However, in its simplicity you will definitely find its charm like I did.
Anything with pancetta especially when well executed is already a winner in my book. This Pancetta Carbonara is no exception. Although one should take note that this is not the kind of carbonara infested with creamy sauce - as a matter of fact, those which love generous downpour of sauce on their pasta may find this one a bit lacking in that aspect. However, in its simplicity you will definitely find its charm like I did.
Croque Madame (Php395) Croissant with bechamel sauce, black forest ham, gratinated raclette topped with a free range sunny side up egg.
The use of croissant in this sandwich is one of the things that sets this apart from any other croque madam out there. While I can say that I still love the classic rendition, this one isn't bad either. It helps that the croissant they used was impeccable in terms of texture and taste.
The use of croissant in this sandwich is one of the things that sets this apart from any other croque madam out there. While I can say that I still love the classic rendition, this one isn't bad either. It helps that the croissant they used was impeccable in terms of texture and taste.
Foie Gras Mac and Cheese (Php625) Macaroni with sharp cheddar, emmental with shimeji, crimini, and Hungarian sausage, topped with seared Foie Gras.
I have to admit that I am one of those who still loves to eat Foie Gras despite the glaring controversy. But you cannot really blame me especially if it was thrown in to a downright impressive dish such as this Foie Gras Mac and Cheese at Le Petit.
I have to admit that I am one of those who still loves to eat Foie Gras despite the glaring controversy. But you cannot really blame me especially if it was thrown in to a downright impressive dish such as this Foie Gras Mac and Cheese at Le Petit.
Le Petit's version of the well-loved comfort food mac and cheese really brought it several notch higher with its high quality ingredients which taste was so palpable I almost teared up. This dish was one of those which I look forward to trying out and it did not disappoint.
Japanese Boeuf Curry Souffle (Pjp525) Savory soufflé filled with fine strips of US beef short plate and Japanese short grain rice with Japanese curry sauce (20 minutes to make).
If this Japanese Boeuf Curry Souffle isn't a clear indication enough that there's a marriage of French and Japanese cuisine at Le Petit then I don't know what is. And dare I say this dish is one of the most perfect dish I ever laid my hands on to date.
If this Japanese Boeuf Curry Souffle isn't a clear indication enough that there's a marriage of French and Japanese cuisine at Le Petit then I don't know what is. And dare I say this dish is one of the most perfect dish I ever laid my hands on to date.
This dish being a souffle was enough to make me salivate in its appearance alone. But as I dug towards the bottom, the entirety of its perfection hooked me in. Seriously, I sincerely hope that you, the one currently reading this will get to try this dish because I find it impossible to translate its goodness in words. You just have to try it, trust me on that.
Squid Ink Rice (Php395) Fresh seafood, shimeji, and soft scrambled egg on squid-ink rice.
I am not a big fan of squid ink because I hate dealing with stains it can cast upon my teeth especially when dining out, so I usually avoid it. I have to make an exception for this one though not just because Hefty Foodie was giving me an evil stare very suggestive that he's going to punch me in the face if I didn't grab a bite, but simply because I feel the need to try it. I am glad I did.
The band of seafood did a good job in lending its flavor to the entire dish while the egg made it all the more filling.
I am not a big fan of squid ink because I hate dealing with stains it can cast upon my teeth especially when dining out, so I usually avoid it. I have to make an exception for this one though not just because Hefty Foodie was giving me an evil stare very suggestive that he's going to punch me in the face if I didn't grab a bite, but simply because I feel the need to try it. I am glad I did.
The band of seafood did a good job in lending its flavor to the entire dish while the egg made it all the more filling.
Matcha Souffle Pancake (Php180) Light matcha souffle pancake dusted with icing sugar and matcha powder served with creme anglaise and maple syrup. Valrhona Guanaja 70% Dark Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla Creme Anglaise (Php350).
I was really full by the time we hit dessert part of our dinner but you really cannot experience the true goodness of Le Petit if you skip dessert since its chef Miko's specialty. These two souffles were astoundingly good - something I know I cannot have in any other place here in Manila. I always have deep affinity for matcha and chocolate and it made me feel like these were a gift from heaven.
I was really full by the time we hit dessert part of our dinner but you really cannot experience the true goodness of Le Petit if you skip dessert since its chef Miko's specialty. These two souffles were astoundingly good - something I know I cannot have in any other place here in Manila. I always have deep affinity for matcha and chocolate and it made me feel like these were a gift from heaven.
Salted Egg Caramel Parfait (Php220) Vanilla custard base softee with salted egg custard, granola, vanilla wafer, caramel, peanut brittle, and almond dacquoise.
I deem that anything with salted egg is well worth my attention so I did not let the night pass without trying this Salted Egg Caramel Parfait. As expected, it echoes the impeccable talent known for chef Miko. The push and pull of saltiness and sweetness was so palpable it will reel you in in an instant.
I deem that anything with salted egg is well worth my attention so I did not let the night pass without trying this Salted Egg Caramel Parfait. As expected, it echoes the impeccable talent known for chef Miko. The push and pull of saltiness and sweetness was so palpable it will reel you in in an instant.
Matcha Softee (Php180) As mentioned, I love anything that has something to do with matcha so needless to say that I took a great liking for this softee. The thing I love most about it is the fact that the matcha flavor was highly noticeable. The sweetness and the earthy flavor has a fine balance making this treat downright addicting and not cloying at all.
Truth be told, I am a fan of chef Miko Aspiras and that's for a good reason. His creation is always spot on and his talent is always admirable. Based on the food I have tried at Le Petit Souffle, I am not really surprised that everything tasted great. I heard that there are plenty more dishes to be added on their menu so that is something I am looking forward to on my next visit at Le Petit Souffle.
Le Petit Souffle
3/F Century City Mall
Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion
Makati City
Contact No.: +632-886-3056
Facebook: /LePetitSouffle
Instaagram: @LePetitSoufflePH
