Kettle Restaurant at Shangri-La Mall East Wing

I have heard a lot of good things about Kettle Restaurant at Shangri-La East Wing prior to my visit. Most of the food bloggers in Manila which blogs I constantly read echoes the same sentiment that Kettle is indeed one the best restaurants in Manila we have these days. While I trust the judgement of these food enthusiasts, I know for a fact that I must pay a visit.

Despite the impossibly erratic schedule I been dealing with for the past couple of months, I took some time out to join some friends to check out Kettle Restaurant. There are things worth moving mountains for, and during that time I can sense that Kettle is one of them.

Kettle Restaurant at Shangri-La East Wing Serving American Comfort Food

My friend Richard of Tales From The Tummy whose palate I trust was the one who arranged the luncheon at Kettle. He was also the one whose definitive description about the food that Kettle dishes out almost drove me to my wits end. And you know the thing about people you trust? They are most of the time right.

Located at the 5th level of Edsa Shangri-La Mall East Wing, Kettle Restaurant has an unpretentious ambiance reflective of the unpretentious menu items that they are offering; straight up American comfort food.

Kettle Restaurant at Shangri-La Mall East Wing

Our luncheon started with a serving of the much raved about appetizers among my friends who had been there before me; Pork and Potato Strips (Php 339). This towering of heavenly goodness comprised of fried thin potato strips and crisp small chunks of pork belly peppered with some herbs and cheese. It was the kind of appetizer than can last all through the entire meal time and still remain good and enticing. The kind that you cannot stop munching on until you made the conscious effort to stop. The pepper aioli dip was served on the side but even without it, this dish can stand on its own.

Pork and Potato Strips

There were two kinds of soup that were served; the Oven Roasted Squash Soup (Php249) and the Clam Chowder (Php229). The squash soup had me at its serving presentation. A spoonful of shrimp salad on a bowl and a squash puree meant to be poured on it, the deconstructed approach added charm to an already charming comfort food I love. The flavor leaned on the savory-sweet side of the spectrum with an apparent punch from the shrimp. It was rich and comforting.

Oven Roasted Squash Soup

The clam chowder which was served on a sourdough bread bowl was as good as classic clam chowder can get. It has a rich texture but not as rich as the squash. The flavor reminded me of the sea all thanks to the fresh ingredients that were used in creating the dish.

Clam Chowder

We also got two kinds of salads. First was the Kettle House Salad (Php339) which has a mix of arugula romaine, toffee walnuts, bacon, and manchego cheese, served with balsamic dressing. It was the usual salad that I would order when I don't want to spend time thinking what I want out of hunger. The appearance, as shown on photo I found lackluster while the flavor was passable.

Kettle House Salad

Another salad we had was the Smoked Salmon Salad (Php259). This one I found way better than the house salad since I love everything that has salmon on it. The slices of Norwegian salmon were generous while the mixed greens were also bountiful.

Smoked Salmon Salad

Another much raved about item on Kettle's menu is Buttermilk Fried Chicken (Php519). Deep fried boneless chicken thigh fillet in buttermilk batter served with country gravy and cajun honey dipping sauces. As if its crisp golden appearance wasn't classic enough, also comes with cornbread.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Its appearance didn't really struck a chord on me at a glance. The thought that it looked like the usual buttermilk fried chicken I cook at home and serve to my family diminished my excitement that this was the Kettle dish that everybody seem to love. But then after my dear friend Irene force fed me with a piece while I was busy having a second third servings of the potato strips, suddenly it got me into thinking that indeed, my friends were right. This chicken was good. Really good. Especially when doused with the combination of honey and gravy, it felt like eating at home. It was good and comforting. The cornbread, I don't really care much about, but it definitely way better than the cornbread from this famous chicken restaurant.

Kettle's Steak and Marrow (Php2,589) was equally impressive. Served with steak rice and fatty bone marrow on the side, this dish was not for the faint of heart. I requested for a medium rare steak and it was perfectly cooked to my liking.

Steak and Marrow

The 450 gram Prime Aged Rib Eye Steak's smoky flavor and impeccable texture were noteworthy. But what made this dish all the more enjoyable was when I grabbed a spoonful of bone marrow and mixed it to the steak rice. It was the bomb, seriously.

Bone Marrow and Steak Rice

The chicken and the steak were good enough for me to join the band of Kettle Restaurant fanatics, but when I was introduced to the Australian Lamb Adobo (Php 449), it steeled my resolved that this place must be visited again and again and again. This slow cooked lamb dish went perfectly well with the truffled brown rice it was served with, the tatziki was a thoughtful addition to cut through the richness of the lamb.

Australian Lamb Adobo

I have always been big when it comes to truffled pasta, hence, this Truffle Gorgonzola Pasta (Php 289) was a sure winner in my book. Very simple in appearance but complex in flavor. Although it looked like something one wouldn't even noticed amidst the feast of meat happening around, this pasta dish is definitely well worth raving for.

Truffle Gorgonzola Pasta

Kettle's Half Pounder Angus Burger (Php 419) in all its meaty glory is perfect for those who loves mean and manly burger. It boast of Angus beef patty topped with smoked white cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, pickle, and horseradish dressing. Its hefty serving made it good for sharing, but if you are me, this can be finished in no time.

Half Pounder Angus Burger

I am not a fan of shrimps on bread but Kettle's Shrimp Po' Boy (Php 419) made me a convert. The Cajun breaded shrimp were perfectly fried without losing its juice. The combination shrimp, remoulade, and the soft ciabatta roll were just perfect that even a non-believer like me would learn to love it in a blink of an eye.

Shrimp Po' Boy

The Reuben (Php 489) was the third of the sandwiches we have tried and it only proved that Kettle does not just take their mains seriously because their line of sandwiches were equally impressive. This Reuben sandwich which was packed with house made corned beef, braised cabbage, and emmental cheese sanwiched in between honey oat bread was definitely the best I have had by far.

Reuben

The luncheon was a feast of comfort food, but the happiness didn't end at the last piece of the buttermilk chicken I shamelessly claimed to be mine. Because when the mains were done, the feast of desserts began.

We tried six variants of desserts, almost everything indicated on their menu. We had the Peach Trifle (Php 269) which reminds me of summer and the Banana Cream Pie (Php 149) which ended as one of my favorites.

Peach Trifle and Banana Cream Pie

We also had the Caramel Cake (Php 189) which reminded me of the well-loved caramel cake of Estrel's, and the visually stimulating Checkered Cake (Php 209).

Caramel Cake and Checkered Cake

The Pineapple Upside Down Cake (Php 189) I wasn't able to try because I am not a fan of pineapple unless it is in a form of liquid. While the Pistacchio Cake (Php 229) also tagged as one of my favorites for its nutty and creamy flavor.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Pistacchio Cake

After having a feast at Kettle Restaurant, I finally understand why some of my foodie friends were very impressed with it. Its take on American comfort food was straightforward and honest. The prices were reasonable considering the servings were hefty that that most of the dishes can be easily shared.