I first learned about Brasserie CiÇou when I was searching for good French restaurants in Manila. I learned that this place won Best French Restaurant in the Manila's Best Kept Restaurant Secrets (MBKRS) Awards in 2012. I didn't get to try it out at the time. But when I recently decided to take my family out to a really fancy meal, I thought it would be as good a time as any to try Brasserie CiÇou.
We had a really late lunch at 1:30PM and when we got to the restaurant, we almost had the place all to ourselves. I can't really say what the service would be like if the place is packed but it was fantastic when we were there. The waiters were warm and friendly and very professional. The ambience is cozy and comfortable and the color scheme makes the dining area feel more spacious. There are a couple of cozy corners where diners can have a bit more privacy. As seems to be the popular thing now, a glass window provided guests with a view of the chefs at work in the kitchen.
We ordered quite a few things, including a Quiche Lorraine starter (quite possibly the best quiche I've ever had), a couple of entrees and some pasta and salad. The highlights of our meal, however, where the dishes I got for sharing. First was the US Grilled Certified Angus Rib-eye (P2,988). This 500-gram steak is served with Potato Dauphinoise and Herb Butter. This steak was absolutely superb and it was seasoned very well. The strong flavors of the beef matched perfectly with the richness of the Potato Dauphinoise which could probably have been a dish by itself since it was so good.
We also ordered the Duck Three-ways: Pan-fried duck breast, Duck Leg Confit, and Duck Pie (P3,888). The Pan-fried duck breast was served kind of like Duck L'Orange as it was served with Orange Sauce. The duck pie was very good and the pie pastry was light and flaky and held the strong flavors of the duck quite well. However, my favorite of all three preparations was the Duck Leg Confit. That was just stunningly delicious! (Both the duck and the steak are good for about 3-4 people so while they are on the very expensive side, they are definitely worth it.)
A sign outside the restaurant says that Brasserie CiÇou is home of the original Manila's best dessert: their L'Original Kouign Amann de CiÇou (P330). (I learned for the first time that Kouign Amann is pronounced Queen Aman). Naturally, even if we were quite full from the fantastic meal we just had, we also needed to try it. This dessert, which comes with two pastries topped with their home-made salted caramel ice cream. was such a satisfying way to end our meal and I highly recommend it. One of my nephews also enjoyed the ice cream so much that I ordered a scoop of it for him.
We also tried the Baba au Rhum (P250), a yeast cake soaked in syrup. It wasn't as good as the Kouign Aman but it was something we had never had before so it was still an enjoyable dessert experience for us.
We learned from the wait staff that the name of the restaurant comes from the nickname of the owner, Chef Cyrille. We were told us that the chef was actually there earlier but he and his wife left to enjoy the weekend so it was too bad that we didn't catch them. As we got the bill, they handed us a few envelopes which contain surprises that we can get on our next visit (we were told not to open these envelopes). Pretty cool concept to encourage return visits! Given how enjoyable I found our dining experience to be, I am certain I will be back.
Brasserie CiÇou
http://restaurantcicou.com/
57 Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan, Philippines
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12nn to 11pm
+63.2.661-9200 / +63.917.885-8841
cicou@restaurantcicou.com
We had a really late lunch at 1:30PM and when we got to the restaurant, we almost had the place all to ourselves. I can't really say what the service would be like if the place is packed but it was fantastic when we were there. The waiters were warm and friendly and very professional. The ambience is cozy and comfortable and the color scheme makes the dining area feel more spacious. There are a couple of cozy corners where diners can have a bit more privacy. As seems to be the popular thing now, a glass window provided guests with a view of the chefs at work in the kitchen.
Vividly colorful wall mural
We ordered quite a few things, including a Quiche Lorraine starter (quite possibly the best quiche I've ever had), a couple of entrees and some pasta and salad. The highlights of our meal, however, where the dishes I got for sharing. First was the US Grilled Certified Angus Rib-eye (P2,988). This 500-gram steak is served with Potato Dauphinoise and Herb Butter. This steak was absolutely superb and it was seasoned very well. The strong flavors of the beef matched perfectly with the richness of the Potato Dauphinoise which could probably have been a dish by itself since it was so good.
US Grilled Certified Angus Rib-eye (500 grams, good for 3-4 people)
We also ordered the Duck Three-ways: Pan-fried duck breast, Duck Leg Confit, and Duck Pie (P3,888). The Pan-fried duck breast was served kind of like Duck L'Orange as it was served with Orange Sauce. The duck pie was very good and the pie pastry was light and flaky and held the strong flavors of the duck quite well. However, my favorite of all three preparations was the Duck Leg Confit. That was just stunningly delicious! (Both the duck and the steak are good for about 3-4 people so while they are on the very expensive side, they are definitely worth it.)
Duck Three-ways: Pan-fried duck breast, Duck Leg Confit, and Duck Pie (good for 3-4 people)
A sign outside the restaurant says that Brasserie CiÇou is home of the original Manila's best dessert: their L'Original Kouign Amann de CiÇou (P330). (I learned for the first time that Kouign Amann is pronounced Queen Aman). Naturally, even if we were quite full from the fantastic meal we just had, we also needed to try it. This dessert, which comes with two pastries topped with their home-made salted caramel ice cream. was such a satisfying way to end our meal and I highly recommend it. One of my nephews also enjoyed the ice cream so much that I ordered a scoop of it for him.
L'Original Kouign Amann de CiÇou served with Salted Caramel Ice Cream
We also tried the Baba au Rhum (P250), a yeast cake soaked in syrup. It wasn't as good as the Kouign Aman but it was something we had never had before so it was still an enjoyable dessert experience for us.
Baba au Rhum
We learned from the wait staff that the name of the restaurant comes from the nickname of the owner, Chef Cyrille. We were told us that the chef was actually there earlier but he and his wife left to enjoy the weekend so it was too bad that we didn't catch them. As we got the bill, they handed us a few envelopes which contain surprises that we can get on our next visit (we were told not to open these envelopes). Pretty cool concept to encourage return visits! Given how enjoyable I found our dining experience to be, I am certain I will be back.
Brasserie CiÇou along Annapolis Street in Greenhills.
If you are coming from Edsa, it is right before O.B. Montessori Greenhills.
Brasserie CiÇou
http://restaurantcicou.com/
57 Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan, Philippines
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12nn to 11pm
+63.2.661-9200 / +63.917.885-8841
cicou@restaurantcicou.com
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