The target to hit was really Tim Ho Wan, on its official second day of operation, but the long queue drove me off to wander and check out other restaurants at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. My friend Nat was luckier since she was able to secure a table last Saturday around 4pm with only 20 minutes of wait. I’d probably wait when all the hype has died down or when they open their SM Mall of Asia (MOA) branch or when I fly off to Hong Kong again in a few months where I originally had it. Maybe I should check out their branch in Singapore when I go middle of June.
Related Post:
Boqueria is a Spanish restaurant con chocolateria that looked promising but had easily disappointed as soon as we got the menu. The restaurant’s interior was nice with the striking open kitchen being the focal point. Service could’ve been more inclined and friendlier.
We had to ask for the menu even if we have been sitting there for a good 5 minutes with them barely being 1/3 full. When the tall wait staff finally reached our table, I asked them for their specialty and what he can recommend to order. He grunted a few dishes. When I ordered an item he said, he then tells me that it’s not available.
I clarified a few items on the menu but he wasn’t keen on answering staring at an empty table instead. I gave up trying to figure out the best dishes to order and finally decided to just order what strikes my eye. I was on the 5th dish (3 tapas and two entrées) when I realized that he wasn’t listening to me. I asked him what he had listed down so far and he gave me only 2. I had to call him out for not paying any attention at all. He didn’t even apologize or tried to get the other order he missed since I only repeated one.
On the Table
Albondigas con Foie Gras P288
Foie Gras Meatballs
Paella Queso Manchego P398
Spanish chorizo and manchego cheese
Boqueria’s paella queso manchego was what I would call dainty paella (different from the heavy-handed paella valenciana) with sharp notes from the chorizo adding that pleasant saltiness and a shade of beefy creaminess from the manchego cheese.
Callos P368
Ox tripe with Spanish chorizo, garbanzos and bell peppers
Churros with Chocolate P
It could easily be one of the best churros in town – it had the right crunch and density, without being overly oily. It was fluffy and almost weightless, perfect for dipping in the dark chocolate it came with.
The food weren’t so bad but how could I enjoy what’s pleasing about it when overall, even if I tried to stretch my patience and be fair, the service really sucked throughout the meal. Boqueria’s service could really improve and hopefully it already has. There are a number of items interesting to try but terrible service doesn’t invite a return.
Boqueria Restaurante | Chocolateria
3/L, SM Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall
EDSA Corner Julia Vargas Ave.,
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Boqueria Restaurante Chocolateria Flickr Set
—
The post Boqueria, Restaurante Chocolateria in Megamall appeared first on Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle.