Japanese Wagyu wonder at La Maison

The famous Wagyu Beef Burger

The famous Wagyu Burger with the most expensive beef in the world

Christmas is coming, and for most of us Pinoys, it’s the season not only for giving gifts and endless parties, but also reunions and re-acquittance with people we have not seen for a while. And not to be missed in any of these occasions is the food. As I always do on my blog, when I find a place interesting I try to feature them here, and one place we just stumbled upon with my officemates when we were looking for a nice restaurant at the newly opened Greenbelt 5 in Makati is La Maison. I thought this place is perfect for barkadas to gather around and share food especially this season. All photos on this set were taken with my mobile phone, Sony Ericsson K800i.

The tender and nutrient rich Wagyu Beef

The tender and nutrient rich Wagyu Beef

It was just a soft opening when we passed by this Restaurant around lunch time at the 3rd floor of the newly opened Greenbelt 5. We were attracted with their promo of Barkada Ribs and the free Quesadillas that goes along with it. Inside there were already some people despite it being just a soft opening. Looking through the menu I got really excited when I saw a Wagyu Beef Burger under it. Japanese Wagyu Beef also known as Kobe-Style Beef is the most expensive beef in the world and is known for its tender, juicy and most succulent tasting beef in the world. Aside from its rich meat flavor, it’s also low in cholesterol, rich in omega-3 and omega 6 since the Japanese Cow where these meat came from are on a very strict diet of beer (sometimes champagne) and Snake. Without any doubt I ordered this burger costing Php 400 and an additional order of Green Mango Shake and a strawberry cheesecake for dessert for later. My officemates ordered other dishes like fish, and pastas in addition to our Barkada ribs. There are other Wagyu Dishes there but it cost about Php1000 to Php2000 since it require a larger chunk of meat than the burger.

La Maison Interiors

La Maison Interiors

My order came in first and I fouind the burger larger than the usual burgers served in fast foods which is a good thing. I’m a bit disappointed with the Kamote Chips though as I remembered on the menu that it’s supposed to be Potato Chips. Anyways, tasting the burger, it was indeed really tender and juicy! It doesn’t have the extended and over processed quality of regular burgers and the flavor is so pure and clean on your taste buds. It doesn’t overpower you with flavoring but delivers with its reach texture. Really worth the price and fame stamped on its meat.

Love those inverted lamps at the ceiling

Love those inverted lamps at the ceiling

When the Barkada Ribs came, it was HUGE! I mean it’s like one slab of side rib of a cow was served to us. I think this is good for more than 4-5 people and there are 4 of us there and I tell you, we’re not all light eaters and we weren’t able to finish all of those. But their ribs is also delicious with a rich smoked taste and excellent sauce that goes along with it. I managed to taste the other dishes they ordered and in summary, I find their dishes very subtle in taste which is just right and not to overpower you with flavors like the Chinese dishes which adds a lot of spices to strengthen its taste. Their desserts are also tasty with just the right sweetness for me. I’m not sure if it’s just because its just a soft opening but if they keep up this quality of food they may have some regulars there.

Greenbelt 5 Interiors

Greenbelt 5 Interiors

All in all it I think we were there for at least 2 hours just eating and trying to get momentum in between. Looking round, the interiors of the place looks nice and classy. I especially like those inverted lamps at the ceiling, I wonder how it looks at night. I think the only thing they could add here is a little ambiance through soft back ground music. Music that’s not too loud and also easing that people could still have nice conversation without it interrupting. We got out of the place fairly satisfied for spending around Php 900 each with a little bag of baon for those dishes we weren’t able to finish. The price here is just right along the mid range restaurant, it got high with us since we’re not familiar with their servings and ordered too much. But for a barkada it would be just alright.

Nice lights and native materials for the design

Nice lights and native materials for the design

We walked around a bit at this new mall. Not much store has opened but the design looks very impressive and modern. They utilized some native materials like rattan or banig in their designs. I’m sure stores here would cater more on the A and B class crowd but hey, there’s no harm in just window shopping.