Banapple's Affordable Dishes in Ayala Fairview Terraces
Ever since I first heard of Banapple, I wanted to give it a try; however, despite having one branch near the place I work, I still had't given it a try. Well, actually, I had several attempts, but each time I went there, the queue is too long, and I was too hungry to wait. Unexpectedly, when we visited Ayala Fairview Terraces, we were surprised to see a branch there. I didn't know that there are a lot already, but I took it as a sign to finally give it a try.
In this blog post, I will be sharing with you my experience dining in this place, and checking out their dishes. Do take note that during that time I was having a cold, so my taste buds might not be working too well.
This Banapple branch in Ayala Fairview Terraces has the same look and feel as the other branches I know. This consistency in the appearance adds to the appeal and the branding, but I just noticed that most them have problems with "space". This is evident here in this branch. Well, I just think that with some tweaks in the arrangement and/or furniture of choice (i.e. replacing the round tables? I'm not sure), Banapple can maximize the space and serve more customers.
Anyway, this is just my observation, and I can't do anything about it aside from providing my opinion. Hence, let us just take a look at the dishes they have here.
Super Caesar Salad || P160
An all time favorite salad of mixed greens with bacon bits and parmesan made more scrumptious with pecan pralines
The salad was nice, but I found the dressing too thick and strong. This resulted to the flavors going a little bit off and not jiving together. Perhaps, there were too many things going on for a salad - sweet, tangy and salty with varying textures from candied nuts.
Pan-fried Porkloin with Herb Mushroom Gravy || P210
Juicy porkloin strips seasoned with special herbs, pan-fried in olive oil, smothered in a thick mushroom and herb gravy; served with glazed butter carrots
This pork chop got its great flavor from the sauce, but of course the texture was nice and crunchy. Generally,I love the sauces of most of the dishes we had, because they made the flavors more pronounced.
Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs || P220
Extra tender country ribs grilled in hickory smoke, glazed with homemade hickory barbecue sauce and served with corn relish
The ribs were tender made more remarkable with the pineapple-y sweetness. It was mildly smokey, and the flavors were harmoniously light yet great.
Herbed Chicken Rolls with Basil Cream Sauce || P215
Herb-crusted chicken breast, stuffed with cheese and ham strips, and smothered with rich basil white sauce; served with glazed buttercarrots
This chicken roll dish had this rich creaminess that was subtly sweet and had this light pesto essence. It was really a great dish!
Salpicao Rafael || P225
Tender cubes of rib-eye steak and sliced mushrooms perfectly seasoned and smothered in garlic pieces and special brown sauce; served with glazed buttercarrots
The Salpicao would be better if it had been more tender, but the sweet savory sauce was great enough to distract me from it. Serving might be small, but it was still worth it.
Baked Fish Gratin with Scalloped Potatoes || P215
Succulent white fish baked in cream sauce with a hint of mustard on a bed of herbed scalloped potatoes, crowned with a mozzarella-crumb topping. Served with rice and corn relish
This fish was simple yet amazingly light and easy for the palate. It also had this light cheesy taste and light crispness. Hence, if you want something "cradling" for the taste buds, go for this one.
Lasagna Roll-Up || P210
Herbed cream and parmesan cheeses inside the al dente lasagna wide strips rolled up and smothered with the classic tomato meat sauce and mozzarella cheese
The lasagna was the bomb! Flavors were exciting, an dI just love the creamy cheesy core. It was a superb experience for a pasta lover like me. Definitely a must-try!
You've reached almost the end of this blog post, and I sure do hope you enjoyed this blog post. Make sure to drop some comments about your favorites here in this place.
Banapple - Overall Ratings and Summary
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★☆
Taste ★★★★
Service ★★★☆
Value for Money ★★★★★
Budget: at least P220 each for a personal meal or light to moderate group sharing
Banapple didn't disappoint. The dishes we had ranged from great to awesome, and the prices were all justified. Here in this branch, the interior may not be that "maximized" due to excess free space. This could have been a great thing about the restaurant, but not when you needed to queue up longer in exchange of that. The staff need to smile often, although they were attentive enough.
Overall, I had great time here, and I am looking forward to checking out the branch near the place where I work in Makati. How about you? What's your personal favorite here?
Banapple
Location: Second Floor, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Maligaya Road Corner Quirino Highway, Fairview, Quezon City
Service Charge: None
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