Twice is Nice: Lemuria

When was the last time you tried a new restaurant at lunch that you thought was so good, you ate there again for dinner on the same day?

OK, i'm guilty.

We had a press con at Lemuria for a new La Mer product. I must admit, I've been very curious to try Lemuria as I have heard only good things about it. Best of all, it's near to where I live, which makes it totally geographically desirable.

Its hidden in a private village and owned by the Schroeders.

When I got there, this is what I saw

Quite charming, isn't it? In the Philippine Tatler's Philippines' Best Restaurants guide, the reviewer said it "feels like Provence in Horseshoe Village." For me, it felt like Tagaytay, without the travel time.

The setting for the event was superb

Apparently the set-up has to be according to La Mer's specific specs. And this finally, was the menu:

Two different kinds of bread to choose from

Mushroom and Gruyere soup

Beef Bourguinon

Lemuria Glace of dulce de leche, chocolate mint and citrus thyme

I must tell you, this meal was fantastic. The soup was served hot and rich, the beef was succulent and just the right bit of flavoring and last but not the least was the mouth-watering homemade ice cream. So creamy and rich, I really couldn't finish it.

Though the place and the food might be good to celebrate my mom and dad's 49th wedding anniversary. So to Lemuria again for din-dins!

This is how it looked at night

Interiors of the restaurant

And here is the happily married couple

They gave us a complimentary amuse bouche of fresh watermelon with black salt

Simple yet refreshing. When our starters came, we all oohed and ahhed the presentation

The duck breast with grilled pineapple

Wagyu carpaccio of beef

Notice the fresh greens and even bits of flowers? Very similar to Tagaytay dining, don't you think (one place in particular)? And the redness and marbling of that fresh carpaccio! No camera trick can do that. It was bloody good I tell you!

I was choosing between the two starters, but hubby got the carpaccio so I got the duck breast. It was the right combination of smoky, salty and sweet, tangy and tart. Love the grilled pineapple! My sister came a bit later than everyone but when she ordered, guess which starter she chose of the two?

If you have been reading this blog, and guessed duck breast, you are right! Gold star for you!

Now here are the mains, just look at how beautifully plated they are:

This was mom's dish, per my suggestion. Its halibut wrapped in vine leaves and baked with this aromatic cover. Inside was just a plain piece of fish served with horseradish mash. Our server said there was no mash, until i made him take out the menu and I pointed it out to him. Mom said it was good for people who are on diets. But she didn't seem too happy with it! Oops!

This was Pops' dish, lamb shank with apricot in a red wine reduction. He loves lamb shank wherever he goes and is very meticulous at cutting it up into small pieces before eating it. I inherited that trait of his! He asked for Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on this dish.

This was Tita Ella's dish. She really eats like a bird, but somehow finished all her cream dory, including the entire mashed potato on the left side. Good going Tita Ella! 

This is Margie's braised Kurobuta pork belly with pink peppercorn sauce. Margie loved it and Caloy said it was delicious.

This is Caloy's order: Dutch veal rib-eye stuffed with duck liver, anchoiade and a port wine reduction. He ordered it medium and it came well done so he sent it back to the kitchen. They asked if he'd like a new one and he said no more na, but they brought one anyway, perfectly cooked.

Sometimes Caloy likes to order things on the menu that should be good, but it comes out all wrong. Such as osso bucco at Bellini's, the little Italian restaurant in Cubao, which he said tasted like kaldereta. Or a dozen fresh oysters at Steaktown in Shangri-La Mall. Strikeout and strikeout! Or those funny mollusks in that restaurant in Barcelona...tee hee. Fortunately, he liked his new order much, much better.

This was my "healthy" order. (I just ate here for lunch, remember?") Seabass in saffron olive jus with braised fennel. It was very healthy, but just ok. Then again, that's what I get for ordering healthy, should've gotten the duck cassoulet...I paired this with Romanian Prahova Valley Special Reserve white. 

We ordered a trio of the home made ice cream for dessert: fig, strawberry-balsamic and citrus thyme. They gave a very generous serving we all enjoyed, plus they gave free chocolate mousse to Mom and Pops for their anniversary. And yes, I forgot to photograph dessert again.

The service was a little slow, such as they didn't clear away our dinner plates when we ordered dessert. The funny thing is the waitstaff had headsets. Maybe secret agent stuff kept them busy? Plus, mom and pops said when they asked for the reservation it was under "Lim." How could that be, when I made the reservation at lunchtime in person?

But what I liked about it is that there were only 3 sets of diners there. Its ambiance is very cozy and perfect for a little getaway in the city. Read: a place to hide from society at large

That ice cream too, what a treat!

Happy 49th wedding anniversary Mom and Pops! Love you!

Lemuria

5 Julieta Circle

Horseshoe Village, Quezon City

tel +632.724.5211