Apartment 1B's Home-like Cuisine and Ambiance in Makati
Apartment 1B has been a restaurant I always wanted to blog about. I've actually been here thrice. The first one was in 2014, and the recent one was this June 2018. For the first two visits, I kept on failing to bring my SLR with me, and since the interior lighting is dim, the photos from my photo often don't do justice to them.
So yes, it was on the third try that I realy made sure to have my SLR with me. Finally, I get to write about this homey restaurant!
A Surprise Baby Shower Gathering
All thanks to the surprise mini baby shower we had for our office mate. It opened up the opportunity for me to blog about this, and of course to celebrate the gift of life. Initially, we came up with three restaurants for our short list, but the genuine hominess of Apartment 1B made us all pick the place. It was very much fitting for an occasion like this. The "familial" vibes of the restaurant added touch for our small get-together.
A Touch of Comfort, A Touch of Home
I've already started talking about the lovely ambiance, so let's get more into it, shall we?
Apartment 1B's interior draws a mental picture of an old-fashion yet elegant ancestral home where family members gather to see each other and reminisce memories. That's the kind of vibe the entire interior and set-up made me feel each time I visit there. It's perhaps the "homiest" restaurant I've been to as far as I can remember.
Apartment 1B's Gourmet Comfort Food
The menu of Apartment 1B takes popular comfort food from multiple cuisines and added a gourmet touch to them. They serve here pasta, ribs, chicken and quesadillas among others. Admittedly, most of the dishes didn't have something "new" or "exciting" in them, but that's practically because they are comfort food -- they are expected to be somehow familiar because we crave that sense of familiarity when we seek comfort. Anyway, let's dig in, shall we?
The Chicken Quesadilla (P350) was an instant superstar among us. We had three orders of this, and we consumed them all within 15 minutes. It was undoubtedly cheesy, and it didn't have much of that strong Mexican herb taste which is why it appealed so much to the group. The quesadilla by itself can exquisitely stand alone, but the sour cream dip made it even more unforgettable.
The Spaghetti Bolognese (P420) is a must-order for pasta and meat lovers! The sauce was rich in flavor (with subtle sweetness, the way I love it) and with generous ground meat. This is my second favorite among all the dishes we had for this lunch.
The Spaghetti Vongole (P490) was excellent especially with how the herbs and the wine brought some warm sensation in each bite. Clams were also fresh as the sauce had a "clean" and suave taste. Personally, I'm not a fan of Vongole, but I know that this is very well-prepared.
The Roasted Half Chicken (P590) may seem very expensive for a pollo dish, but its supreme tenderness together with the herbs and spices that seeped into the meat fibers may make up for it.
The Baby Back Ribs (P790) was another stellar dish especially with how fall-of-bone the meat was. The richness of balanced sweetness and savory taste also seeped well into the fibers allowing each bite to be like bubbles that burst with goodness.
For desserts, we had the Frozen Pie (P210) which was perfect to be shared among the group. It's basically an ice cream coated with a chocolate crust drizzled with syrup and nuts. Each was able to have at least a spoonful and it was a perfect way to end the dining experience. Very reasonably priced and a must-try!
Apartment 1B - Overall Ratings and Summary
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings reflect my personal experiences on the times I dine here.
Place ★★★★★
Taste ★★★☆
Service ★★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★
Budget: at least P750 each for a moderate to heavy sharing type of dining experience for a group of at least 4
No. of visits for this particular restaurant/branch - 3 || Date of last visit - June 20, 2018
The dishes here in Apartment 1B may not be as spectacular as you may expect, but it's understandable since the concept is "comfort" food. Most of the flavors you'll encounter are already familiar to your palate, but what's enhancing these flavors is the genuine hominess that embraces you as you dine here. Yes, the ambiance and service are spot on in making you feel at ease and at home. For me, this what makes the experience here in Apartment 1B quite magnificent.
I highly recommend this restaurant for intimate events and get-together! Two-thumbs up!
Apartment 1B
Location: G/F Unit A Cordova Condominium, 138 Valero St., Salacedo Village, Makati City
Service Charge: 10% before VAT
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