Cerveseria: Estuvo Delicioso!
Dinner last Friday was made extra special as I had a great time with some blogger friends at Cerveseria -- a Spanish cuisine and tapas bar spearheaded by Chef Gilbert Pangilinan, mastermind behind the famous Neo-Japanese restaurant Kai.
It was my first time at Cerveseria and although its exterior is nothing to fancy about, what lies beyond its doors is a different story. Upon entering, my date and I were greeted with a warm and cozy Gothic dining area with dim lights courtesy of their candle wax-coated chandeliers. Their interior boasts of a black and brown color scheme, contrasted with pop of reds here and there.
If you think this place is already extravagant enough, brace yourself as they still have another unique feat to offer. Across their bar counter and main dinning area are private dining sections with bookshelves as the room divider. Somehow, it made me feel like I was in Hogwart's library -- grand, Gothic and full of books.
As much as we'd like to dine at the main dining area, it was reserved for a private function. Luckily, achie Kay was able to talk to the restaurant manager and had our dinner arranged in Cerveseria's VIP section while waiving their P8000-consumable price tag at the same time. (Whew!)
Our group of 7 (plus 1 who arrived really late) was able to sample a few of Cerveseria's best-sellers. Since the restaurant specializes on tapas -- Spanish snacks, canapés or finger foods, it was just appropriate to order their Cerveseria Tapas Platter (P950).
The Cerveseria Tapas Platter features sample sizes of their fried calamari, baby razor clams, fried chorizo, potatoes, marinated olives and a plate of bread to go with it.
Everything in our Cerveseria Tapas Platter was okay, if not good. The fried calamari, although not as crunchy as I want, was flavorful and not too oily. The baby razor clams were fresh and didn't taste fishy. The chorizo were fried nicely and packed with strong flavors. While the potatoes which are topped with spicy tomato sauce and aioli, on the other hand, were a delight to munch. I also tried a piece of the marinated olive, and although I generally love olives, the flavor was just too powerful for me to handle.
After enjoying the tapas samplers, we started digging in on one of the most popular dishes of Cerveseria -- Paella Cerveseria (P760).
This Valencian rice dish was so hard to resist despite my seafood allergies. (Don't worry, I still eat seafood regularly. Thanks anti-histamines!) Topping the flavorful paella were bits and pieces of bacon, chorizo, chicken, shrimp, clams, soft shell crabs and French beans. Every spoonful of this paella was a punch of strong flavors. It was really good!
Our group also got to try one of the most famous Spanish dishes, Pollo Iberico - whole (P880) or simply a Spanish roasted chicken, which by the way was initially served whole and unsliced. However, as amusing as how the whole Iberian Chicken looked like, our servers were courteous enough to slice it up.
This roasted chicken looks like any other roasted chicken I've seen. But despite the common appearance, its meat was a joy to eat -- juicy, tender, moist and flavorful. Some parts were a little dry, but it was really good nonetheless. Even the potatoes on the side were packed with herby flavors!
After sampling these dishes, I would've personally love to order something for dessert. But since this restaurant is a little hard on the tab.. Desserts? Uhh, never mind.
THE VERDICT
Dining at Cerveseria is truly a memorable experience. The interior itself can start a good conversation, let alone its food which is something to boast of. Their service is also impeccable -- prompt food serving, courteous in communicating, knowledgeable about the resto, and capable of taking nice pictures.
Good food, good ambiance, good company -- the way I like my first official trip to a Spanish restaurant. Hopefully, I get to visit Cerveseria again some time soon.
Cerveseria, Greenbelt 3
G/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 757-4791
 |
| Whole, unsliced Pollo Iberico |
It was my first time at Cerveseria and although its exterior is nothing to fancy about, what lies beyond its doors is a different story. Upon entering, my date and I were greeted with a warm and cozy Gothic dining area with dim lights courtesy of their candle wax-coated chandeliers. Their interior boasts of a black and brown color scheme, contrasted with pop of reds here and there.
 |
| Gothing candle wax-coated chandelier |
If you think this place is already extravagant enough, brace yourself as they still have another unique feat to offer. Across their bar counter and main dinning area are private dining sections with bookshelves as the room divider. Somehow, it made me feel like I was in Hogwart's library -- grand, Gothic and full of books.
 |
| Bookshelf dividers, lined with 1,500 hardbound books |
 |
| Cerveseria's main dining area and bar counter |
As much as we'd like to dine at the main dining area, it was reserved for a private function. Luckily, achie Kay was able to talk to the restaurant manager and had our dinner arranged in Cerveseria's VIP section while waiving their P8000-consumable price tag at the same time. (Whew!)
Our group of 7 (plus 1 who arrived really late) was able to sample a few of Cerveseria's best-sellers. Since the restaurant specializes on tapas -- Spanish snacks, canapés or finger foods, it was just appropriate to order their Cerveseria Tapas Platter (P950).
The Cerveseria Tapas Platter features sample sizes of their fried calamari, baby razor clams, fried chorizo, potatoes, marinated olives and a plate of bread to go with it.
 |
| Calamares Fritos fried baby squid, served with garlic aioli dip |
 |
| Navajas ala Plancha Baby razor clams in olive oil |
 |
| Chorizo Fritos Fried chorizo and onions |
 |
| Patatas Bravas Fried potatoes in spicy tomato sauce and aioli |
Everything in our Cerveseria Tapas Platter was okay, if not good. The fried calamari, although not as crunchy as I want, was flavorful and not too oily. The baby razor clams were fresh and didn't taste fishy. The chorizo were fried nicely and packed with strong flavors. While the potatoes which are topped with spicy tomato sauce and aioli, on the other hand, were a delight to munch. I also tried a piece of the marinated olive, and although I generally love olives, the flavor was just too powerful for me to handle.
After enjoying the tapas samplers, we started digging in on one of the most popular dishes of Cerveseria -- Paella Cerveseria (P760).
 |
| Paella Cerveseria |
This Valencian rice dish was so hard to resist despite my seafood allergies. (Don't worry, I still eat seafood regularly. Thanks anti-histamines!) Topping the flavorful paella were bits and pieces of bacon, chorizo, chicken, shrimp, clams, soft shell crabs and French beans. Every spoonful of this paella was a punch of strong flavors. It was really good!
Our group also got to try one of the most famous Spanish dishes, Pollo Iberico - whole (P880) or simply a Spanish roasted chicken, which by the way was initially served whole and unsliced. However, as amusing as how the whole Iberian Chicken looked like, our servers were courteous enough to slice it up.
 |
| Pollo Iberico |
This roasted chicken looks like any other roasted chicken I've seen. But despite the common appearance, its meat was a joy to eat -- juicy, tender, moist and flavorful. Some parts were a little dry, but it was really good nonetheless. Even the potatoes on the side were packed with herby flavors!
After sampling these dishes, I would've personally love to order something for dessert. But since this restaurant is a little hard on the tab.. Desserts? Uhh, never mind.
 |
| PEx bloggers in the library.. I mean, in Cerveseria |
THE VERDICT
Dining at Cerveseria is truly a memorable experience. The interior itself can start a good conversation, let alone its food which is something to boast of. Their service is also impeccable -- prompt food serving, courteous in communicating, knowledgeable about the resto, and capable of taking nice pictures.
Good food, good ambiance, good company -- the way I like my first official trip to a Spanish restaurant. Hopefully, I get to visit Cerveseria again some time soon.
Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3/5
Overall Value - 4/5
Ambiance - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3/5
Overall Value - 4/5
Cerveseria, Greenbelt 3
G/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 757-4791
Oh my, the food looks great but I fell in love with those bookshelf dividers!!
ReplyDeletethe food looks delish especially pollo iberico. =)
ReplyDeleteoooooh..Paella! :D
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious. Need to try this!
ReplyDeletePlease join my giveaway: http://wonderwomanrises.blogspot.com/2011/11/amazing-accessories-giveaway.html
Nice entry! I love how you focused on the food and made it seem like they can taste the food just by reading it
ReplyDeletethe calamares looks yummy kaya lang bawal ang seafood sakin. i love your photo of the candle wax chandelier:)
ReplyDeleteI just can't get enough of your resto reviews. I'd love to try this out. I love details so I'm sure I'll be enjoying the interiors of this resto. And the food looks delish! Yum.
ReplyDeletegreat pics! the place looks really nice! the food seems good too!
ReplyDeleteAliw naman yung chandelier pati yung library. Food looks great, too! Sana makasama na ko next time. :)
ReplyDeleteFood looks yum! will def try this soooon! thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the interiors! =)
ReplyDeleteoooh.. great pictures! sama ako next time! hahaha! :)
ReplyDeleteas always...I get so hungry after eating...este...reading your entry =9
ReplyDeleteLakas ng powers ni President Kay... Nakakapag-waive ng P8k consumable fees...
ReplyDeletecongrats on a very successful EB. haha siyadong delayed na yata tong comment ko.
ReplyDeletethat looks cozy. wanted to go but i dont usually stay in Manila during my vacation.