Reviews Las Flores

My friends and I had the Cena de Vino wine-pairing course. Highlights: The cold starter salad with mango was perfect with the sparkling white wine, the arroz with shrimp and octopus was very flavorful, and the presentation of the smoked wagyu (tender and rare) was very theatrical, although the red wine tasted a bit heavy paired with the smoky flavor. The sweet desert and tawny port were a perfect cap to a fine meal.

Compliments to Chef Ignacio!

Low score on Zomato as a result of... I dont know what. This place is really good. Every single dish that we ordered knocked it out of the park. As you can see from the pictures they are so well prepared and just picture worthy. None of the food lacked in flavor and the service was fantastic. Need to come back to taste their paella soccarat style (yung tutong na masarap na delicacy).

Masarap pagkain. Ok service. Walang litrato ng salmon and salmon super sarap. At yung paella negra ok.

What ill order again: salmon and salmon, paella negra, croquettes chorizo (but i wanna try the iberico too), callos, gambas

Yung sa wagyu and foie gras sliders magkahalo na sila sa patty.. di ko nagustuhan yun. Syempre hahanapin ko lasa ng foie lang mismo

I’ve dined at the original Las Flores branch at BGC several times but this is my first time at the Podium branch, where I had dinner with my barkada. We had the Bombas de la Barceloneta (potato and Wagyu - my fave among the tapas!), Jamon Iberico Croquettas, Chorizo Croquettas, Gambas Al Ajillo, Chipirones Andaluza (Fried Baby Squid), Tortilla Trampo (Spanish Chorizo and Potato Omelette), and of course the Paella Negra (could use a bit more toppings but the rice and aioli were delicious) and Paella de Cochinillo. The service here is highly commendable, considering it was a very busy night (night before Valentine’s Day). The servers were courteous and gave great recommendations, responded swiftly to our concerns, patiently took our photos and continuously refilled our water glasses. To cap off our dinner, everyone had the delicious Rose Sangria but because I couldn’t drink, I had the Pepino Limon mocktail - which was very refreshing and not too sweet 👍🏻

Update: May 2019
We booked a reservation via the free eatigo app for the 430pm slot with 50% discount. Our bill was ₱4k+ and we only paid half that total and even used an eatigo voucher at the same time. We were 2 pax only and ordered 5 dishes because 4 of them were only tapas. All very good. See below breakdown and attached photos. If you want to get the same discount (up to 50% off depending on the time) while Las Flores is still on the eatigo app, download it because it’s free to register and use. When you register for the first time, input my referral code EatigoRia so you can get a free voucher too.

Here’s what we ordered:
1. Wild Mushrooms Paella - ₱995, delicious! Second time to order this. It’s like a cross between risotto and paella for me, which I like
2. Suckling Pig (Cochinillo) Squares - ₱975 for 4 pieces, tender almost melts in your mouth, the skin however is not crispy (I was expecting it to be but not sure if it’s not supposed to be anyway)
3. Salmon & Salmon - ₱690 for 5 pcs, marinated salmon, truffle cream and honey on air baguettes. This is my favorite!!!! I can finish 1, even 2 orders, if I didn’t have to share!
4. Angus & Foie Minis - ₱995 for 4 pieces, super tender perfectly cooked beef tenderloin topped with a tiny piece of delicious foie. The star here is the beef and not the foie which is too small.
5. Bombas - ₱295 for 4 pcs, Potato and Wagyu Beef Bombs or Croquettes. Very affordable and filling, no wonder it’s a favorite of many.
Pricey! But very good food - taste and presentation wise. So some discount goes a long way when dining here, that’s why I’m glad they’re currently added to the list of restaurants in the free Eatigo app.

Original:
My first time in Las Flores! Finally! Been intimidated to eat here (don’t really know why but I was) plus the fact that the BGC branch didn’t have parking. But now they have opened a branch in The Podium and restaurants in the mall with ample parking is more convenient for me (also because I can do other things before and/or after the meal like grocery shopping!).

The good news is there’s no reason to be intimidated because the prices are reasonable, still on the pricey end but not everything! So you can combine dishes like the Chipirones at around ₱295 and the gambas, chorizo or pulpo which range from ₱600-850. You can have a glass of wine for ₱390 or simply have a fresh fruit shake for ₱125. The nice thing about them is regardless of the price, low or high, all are of quality.👌🏼

The paellas are also reasonably priced and good for sharing. The highlight of our dinner was the Wild Mushrooms Paella which was soooo good. Glad we opted not to go with the usual Paella Negra or Marisco and tried something different. It’s a bit like a mushroom risotto but I’m not complaining because I love that too!

The only thing we were disappointed about during our dinner (we were a group of 4) was that additional bread was no longer complimentary. For a pricey-fine-dining-ish restaurant, you would think bread would be unlimited! “Lesser priced” establishments even do that! The bread goes well kasi with the sauce of the Gambas and Chorizo. It’s the establishment’s call of course, but we were just very surprised.

Anyway I will definitely be back for more of the Paella de Setas (Wild Mushrooms Paella). Yum!

Giving in to my burger cravings and decided to do it at Las Flores. It’s a Spanish resto so their burgers are mini’s. Although it’s a mini, you get three pieces so it’s pretty filling. It’s flavorful, but basic. Nothing really to rave about. Their other items such as the Tapas which I normally order, but didn’t this time are really good and delightful. Like their Tapas, the Fritos and Entrees are flavorful and authentic. I love their Sangrias! The interior is light and open. It had enough space to not make you feel cramped. You can lounge here for a few hours because it’s so comfortable. Especially on dates or gatherings.

The ambience
The high ceiling made this place airy and not cramped. I like how the decor does not make it look intimidating.

The service
The attendants are snappy and know the food really well when you ask them something about a particular dish. Very attentive.

The food
The pate was really good and has just the right amount of gameyness (not a word i know). The mixed platter with cheese and assorted cold cuts including jamon iberico was excellent. Not too salty (these guys know their meats). The bread with tomato and EVOO was okay i guess. Not something special. Now, I loved their seafood paella. That ocean-y flavor that I always look for is saturated in the rice and the mussels and shrimps tasted fresh and not something that was kept in the fridge for a while. And for the coup de grace, the cochinillo was just awesome! Crispy skin and the pork meat was very tender. There were some little parts that tasted a bit gamey but you will forget it anyway as you continue eating. That was the highlight for me. Coffee tasted like good quality arabica beans. Overall excellent experience. I would have given it a 4.5 but don’t see that option.

1/5/18

So the New Year just passed and my girlfriend and I were going to go out on a date. I wanted it to be extra special since this one will be our first for the year 2018. So I quickly searched my list of bookmarks for an intimate and romantic place where I could spend time with my special girl. Among my list appeared Las Flores which was this simple yet cozy and intimate restaurant. Located at the still freshly looking Podium, this restaurant was just perfect for that kind of evening I was planning for.

THE PLACE (5/5)

Compared to its branch at BGC, the one we dined at was somewhat more homey looking. It had a relaxing and vintage vibe to it. What I love about this place is the ambiance that it offered. I liked how all the people here were decent and classy. They were polite and quiet. The place was well lit and adequately ventilated. Enough room and space was there per table and their furnitures were on point. I liked how they had beautiful works of art all over their walls. Their restroom was also clean and good smelling.

THE SERVICE (5/5)

My girlfriend and I felt like we had a private butler! Our waiter was so attentive and friendly. She was approachable and kind. She patiently answered all our questions and she willingly took a picture of me and my girlfriend. She was all smiles with everyone and that kinda had a pleasant effect on our dinner experience.

The FOOD (4/5)

I have to say, they’re menu was attractive especially with how colorful and chic it was. The font was cool and all but I’d have to say I had a hard time choosing an order because I’m not really familiar with the deep Spanish words hence it was difficult to read. They do have a translation but I guess it was tedious for me. Haha! Moving on! My girlfriend and I decided that we’d try their signature salad, Ensalada Las Flores (P395). It was on the pricey side but it tasted good! I liked how the mix of tomato chips complimented with the caramelized apples. It was delicious! Serving time was appropriate but the size of the order was small compared to its price. The taste was on point but I guess I expected a bigger serving. Good for 1-2 persons. For our main, we shared on their Paella Negra (P695). If you would look at the pictures, the plate is huge! However, once you scoop through it, you’ll notice that it’s not filled thickly! So you’ll realize that it’s not that big of a serving at all. No disappointments with the taste though! They serve good paella! Delicious to say the least! Yun nga lang, they truly give only a few portion per meal. Good for 2-3 persons at most. We got a bottle of Chardonnay (P895) and it was served wonderfully. I honestly am not that good of a foodie yet with regards to wine since they all taste the same to me but yeah, it was good wine.

THE VERDICT (4/5)

This restaurant executed all my expections from it perfectly. It had an amazing ambiance, a cool set of waiters, and a flavorful menu! Its perfect for intimate yet relaxed dinners! A tita place if you will as well. My only downside here would have to be their serving side. Haha! Honestly, with the amount you’ll pay, you’d expect something bigger. Oh well! I hope you guys will have fun! Cheers! 😊

Recently came back from a two week trip to Spain, and by chance, came by Las Flores to eat for dinner a few days later. So I got a chance to compare side by side how Las Flores fares against the foods I ate from my two-week trip.

What we got:
Jamon Croquettas - Sumptious, cheesy goodness with the distinct salty taste of Jamon. Something I'd order again.

Salmorejo - I'm a huge fan of this cold tomato soup dish since before and it is a rare sight in Manila. Every other day in Spain I would order this dish or its vegetarian counterpart, Gazpacho. I must note however that Las Flores' version has a stronger after taste than what I got used to in Spain. But nonetheless, I finished the entire bowl within minutes.

Verdura - Assortment of grilled freshness to complement the rich and savory palette of Spanish cuisine. I get this all the time.

Wild Mushroom Paella - We were only two people when we ate this, and we had no problems finishing the entire serving BECAUSE IT IS REALLY GOOD. This is the Paella any first timer in this restaurant should order. Ask your server to mix it for you before eating.

Verdict: I would come back. I don't understand the 3.2 rating it has as of writing. It definitely deserves a lot more attention. Don't be fooled by the numbers!

If you're looking for an authentic Spanish restaurant, this is the place to be. The owners are Spanish or at least from Latin America. We were entertained by a very friendly Spanish-looking lady, (I'm guessing she is a co-owner as she wasn't wearing the same uniform as that of the other waitresses) and told us the best dishes they can offer.

According to her, the paella is their best-seller. They have five variations. Of course, we chose the Paella Negra (675), it is noticeably cheaper compared to other paellas in their menu. It is served in a shallow skillet, topped with Bonito flakes(Katsuoboshi) and aioli, the flakes almost look like they're moving/dancing because of the steam from the paella. It is definitely a feast for the eyes. It is pure rice, though, don't expect any seafood in it. The flavor, however, won't disappoint.

It was advised by the lady to order 2-3 dishes while waiting for the paella because it takes about 30 minutes to cook. We ordered four: Salmon and Salmon (595), Callos picantes con garbanzos (450), Trio de chorizos (650) and Gambas al ajillo (575). It is a sin to go out of this restaurant without trying their Salmon and Salmon! It is a dish you should never miss! Fresh salmon with feta cheese sitting on top of a crunchy cracker pillow-tell me how this can not be a winner.

They will serve you with bread and oil w/ black vinegar for dipping. In Argentina, Spain and other Latin American countries this is the usual tradition. So dip away! Don't be afraid to dip your bread (because in Italy it is a no-no).

They also offered a free chocolate fudge on a nicely decorated metal plate, as a birthday surprise for my boyfriend. Overall, I am satisfied with the food and the experience. Will go back on days that I'm longing for some Spanish flare.

My husband knew that I wanted to visit a Spanish restaurant for Valentines day. He made reservations for Las Flores on V-day itself. We got there early and we were still accomodated despite the volume of people.

We were seated upstairs at this nook with a bird's eye view of the ground floor. I liked the classy ambience of the restaurant. However, it was so busy on V-day that the relaxing ambience was no more. Well, that's what we get for going out on Valentines.

We immediately ordered the trio of chorizos and croquettas jamon iberico. My husband wanted to try their paella negra and I went along with it (though I'm not much of a squid ink anything fan). We were told that it would take 20-25mins to prepare. Finally, we both had alcohol. I veered away from the sangria and tried their calamansi and cherry blossom moscow mule. Such a refreshing cocktail that I would definitely recommend! I like the hint of calamansi flavor that made you feel like you were just drinking juice.

Unfortunately, our tapas took a long time to be served. They weren't served together either. We had finished the chorizo already then the paella was served before the croquettas came. It was annoying because you had to wait a long time in between dishes. When the paella was served, we decided to add gambas to our meal. We almost cancelled it because of the wait.

Anyway, let's move on to the taste. The trio of chorizos should be ordered!👍🏻 A great selection of chorizos; I just wish it came with bread to soak up the flavorful oil. We both liked the croquettas jamon iberico-- it only had little bits of meat though. The flavor mostly came from the potato soaked with oils from the meat-- kept it light but still infused with flavor. I thought it tasted great. The gambas were okay-- I just prefer smaller shrimp for gambas, but that's personal preference. I'm not a paella negra girl-- when it comes to paella, I like the valenciana. Plus Las Flores' paella de cochinillo is really good. Their paella negra was just okay for us-- an umay factor really set in after a while. I think the bonito flakes were added to keep it from being too heavy and one note. I was just looking for some acidity; but again, it's personal preference. I honeslty like Barcino's version better.

Overall, I did like the food. I would give it a 3.5 because of the wait. Then again, we know that it's a peak day for restos, so we need to extend our patience. 😊 I would definitely come back though.

Food was satisfying.
Relaxing ambiance and good food will make sure that you enjoy your time of stay within las flores.
Hoping for more improvements;
Menu Selection, Quality of Service and the likes.
All in all, worth it.

Gambas was not as what I expected.
Wine was surprisingly good.
Croquetta was very sumptious
Surf and Turf meatballs was great too ..
The Gambas made me raise one of my eyebrows though.
Looking forward for positive changes.