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We were invited to try out the new breakfast menu of Portico 1771 in Serendra, which we found hard to resist. These were the folks who introduced the inimitable Sinigang na Corned Beef, the mere thought of which makes my mouth water. We had high expectations as we headed for the swanky Serendra at the Fort.

As a blogger, I always appreciate wi-fi service in any place. Much to my delight and my blogmates, Dine and Chats, Serendra offers free wi-fi servce through Globequest.

By Butch

The ambiance of the place is warm and cozy, with the high ceilings giving it an airy feel not present in its other outlets. The European countryside motif is accented by colorful paintings by “Zaballero”, invoking Tuscany or the south of France, both places I’ve never seen but I imagine would look like these paintings. Service was friendly and attentive and we immediately felt at home.

Alas, excellence in some dishes does not automatically translate into success in others. Their breakfast dishes are new, barely a month old, and still need some tweaking to come up to the standards which made this restaurant an institution in Malate and Makati.

First, they broke a cardinal rule which McDonald’s and any number doughnut shops know could spell their doom if breached once too often. The coffee was lukewarm and not piping hot. The aroma was just not there although it was supposed to Barako. I asked for a second cup and it was just like the first, only colder.

We had the “baby bangus (milkfish) in tomato sauce sardine style” and the Baguio longganisang durog, served ala carte with rice and eggs (scrambled or sunny-side up). The bangus sardines had a lot of belly fat, with I love, but not much else in terms of flavor. It was tender enough but that was about it. The standard for this dish has been set long ago by Trellis restaurant in Diliman, Q.C. (which had an outlet at the Fort at the time when it was still Fort Bonifacio) and I was looking for the right mix of olive oil, tomato sauce and such other ingredients as would remind me of good, old-fashioned, authentic Spanish sardines from a can.

The Baguio longganiza was good though, toasted and garlicky.

Prices are a bit on the premium side, as befitting Serendra I suppose. (View Breakfast Menu)

I had to leave before dessert and I was told it was wonderful. Too bad I missed it.

Not to worry though, as the people behind the place know how to tickle your palate and I’m sure my next meal there would more enjoyable. Might I suggest that they offer piping hot Sinigang na Corned Beef for breakfast ?

By Noemi

Too bad Butch, my husband had to leave for a hearing by 9:15. No worries. Dine , Chats and Jayvee and his family ordered dessert.

Oh my, what can I say? Each dessert plate is an art piece itself . The perfect ending to a sumptuous breakfast and banter with friends.

Chats ordered the “Perfect Finish”

A very refreshing lemon basilic sorbet, feather-light yogurt mousse with strawberries and the much requested Creme brullee (Priced at 220 pesos or $5.00)

Dine ordered “Nuts Here and There”

Pecan and Walnut brownies with sticky toffee and dates, almond biscotti sticks with hazel nut nougatine ice cream and the original coffee bean sansrival (priced at 230 pesos or $5.00)

I ordered “Pavlova and Co”.

Crisp meringue filled with passion fruit cream topped with diced strawberries, apples and mangoes, house made marshmallows with pistachio cream and chocolate sauce and fluffy meringue pillow floating on creme anglaise (priced at 220 pesos or around $5.00)

The dessert was just too beautiful to be eaten that we just stared at this delightful art pieces for a few minutes.

If you’re looking for a long leisurely breakfast whether with friends or business associates, Portico 1771 is an ideal location as it’s located right in front of Bonifacio High Street. After breakfast, one can easily shop across the street or proceed to the gym on the other end of the Bonifacio High Street. It was my intention to drop by Fitness First but our car was “coded” for the day . Soon my mother-in-law will move in to her condominium unit and surely we will have breakfast once again at the Portico 1771. Hopefully this time, the breakfast menu ’s description is just as mesmerizing as the dessert menus.

More photos I took at Portico 1771 at Serendra

Contact
Portico 1771
11th Street
Shops at Serendra
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone No: +632-8560581
Email:portico.1771@gmail.com

Portico 1771 is part of the Chateau 1771 Group of Restaurants that includes Chateau 1771 in El Pueblo Ortigas, Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt 3 and Sidebar, El Pueblo Ortigas. Portico is located Serendra, Bonifacio High Street. Operating hours for Breakfast is from 7:30am at 10:00am