Has anyone of you seen the movie or have read the book "The Great Gatsby"? It was a glimpse to all the glitz and glamor, and everything fancy back in the time of the roaring 20s. I was astonished to discover for myself a Gatsby themed place in Salcedo Village, Makati called The Penthouse 8747. Being here feels like time traveling back to a decade of stylish art deco, jazz bands, men in fancy suits and ties, sexy flappers, and huge glam parties.
This sophisticated bar is set on a roofdeck, and was originally launched as a speakeasy, back in 2016. One couldn't help but be overwhelmed with its interiors, adorned with gold accents, posh velvet couches, and ornate chandeliers. There is an open air balcony area which can hold up to 200 people. Here, guests will have a magnificent view of the Makati Skyline and the Ayala Triangle Gardens. They also have a huge function hall that can accommodate even more people, used for holding major events and other special gatherings.
Their chef, Mike Genaro, whips up dishes that are a fusion between European and Caribbean cuisine. The food offerings that he preps up were all inspired by his trips as a former chef in a cruise line.
First up, we were able to try their uniquely plated Asian Nachos. The nacho chips or wanton wrappers were piled on top of one another, which is different from the usual ones we are usually served with. It's definitely Instagrammable, so am giving them five stars for this creative presentation. However, you wouldn't get to enjoy the nachos this way since most of the toppings were mostly placed on top, and the nachos on the lower part of the pile are just left plain. As for its taste, the sweetness of the mango gives a nice balance to the salty and spicy flavors of the nacho toppings.
I particularly liked their Chicken Parmigiana Wrap, which is chicken breast with parmigiana sauce and cumin, enveloped in soft tortilla. It was served with a side of fries with garlic aioli dip and ketchup. It could've been better grilled and not fried.
We also had a taste of their Shrimp Pesto Pasta. Penthouse 8747 gave this dish a different twist to it by adding in malunggay leaves. It also has basil, nuts, and cream, tossed in olive oil. Surprisingly, it doesnt have any bitter taste to it. I like it for its creaminess and for its generous amount of shrimps.
Then we had a go on their Seafood Caponata Flatbread Pizza. A caponata is a traditional Sicilian eggplant stew with olives, capers, and tomatoes, and is sauteed with sweet and sour sauce. This innovative offering was loaded with various toppings including zucchini, eggplant, olives, shrimp, and anchovies. It was packed with salty, sweet, and tangy flavors. They served the pizza with buffalo sauce but you wouldn't need the latter anyway since it is already good enough on its own. The toppings are perfectly laid on a flatbread, and the crust just had the right thickness to it.
One of the highlights of our visit to The Penthouse 8747 was when we were served our glasses of cocktails. I had one Jellous Lover with me! Such a witty name they came up with for this special drink. I'm not really into drinking but I must admit that this one got me hooked. It's actually sparkling champagne mixed with strawberry syrup, with rose wine jelly on the bottom of the glass. They even placed fresh strawberry and blueberry on the glass's rim. It was sweet, light, and refreshing, and a nice treat to cap off an awesome dinner course. As for my companions, they had the Great Escape, a glass serving of champagne, gin, and fresh grape juice, added with a sprig of rosemary.
If you or your special someone are down for a fancy date night or you're in the mood for a glam nightout with the squad, The Penthouse 8747 is the perfect go to place for drinks and dancing. Party and roll here like it's the 1920s.
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