I keep coming back to Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila’s Nostalgia Dining Lounge—be it to enjoy my favorite steak, try international cuisine, or even celebrate milestones like an anniversary.

Recently, I returned to try their Brasserie Parisienne menu, made up of French comfort food. While lauded as one of the best in the world, I have sadly yet to appreciate French cuisine—find a French restaurant that I like or even a favorite French dish. That’s why sampling the French appetizers, entrees, and desserts that were part of Nostalgia’s limited offer Nostalgic Weeks French menu was an experience I didn’t want to miss—and so shouldn’t you. Try it today, because some of the dishes might no longer be offered soon. Here’s my take on the dishes:

Appetizers

Six Baked Snails in Garlic Butter, P395
Caveat: I don’t eat snails, but I tried—and enjoyed—this juicy, soft, fresh-tasting escargot, whose texture is similar to that of mussels. It didn’t taste funny and wasn’t gross at all, and I’m saying this for the benefit of people like me who do not like to eat snails. What made all the great difference was the delicious garlic butter sauce they were soaked in.

Foie Gras Creme Brûlée, P495
I thought it was dessert, complete with sweet caramelized crust and cinnamon apple slices on the side, but no, it’s more complex than that! Made with five spices, which include cinnamon hints that went so well with the foie gras, this appetizer’s bold aroma, strong flavors, and smooth, rich texture perfectly showcase what a foie gras creme brulee is supposed to taste like—basically, you have to try it.

Crisp Warm Camembert, P450
I suggest you take all the elements with each bite to get the full great experience of the complementing flavors of cranberry compote that’s sweet and not too sour, mixed greens including arugula that’s fresh on the palate, and fried, rich-textured, light-tasting cheese.

Salad Gourmande, P495
Made of shaved foie gras, french beans, pulled duck confit, and cherry tomato in truffle vinaigrette, the flavor I love most in this salad is that of the fresh arugula (again). I may have discovered the trick to taming duck’s gamey taste, for non-duck lovers like me. The salad had a light dressing, and the taste was not overwhelming, considering the generous helping of duck pieces—duck lovers should definitely order this.

Entrees

Grilled Boneless Whole Spring Chicken, P765
Marinated for three days in thyme, lime, salt, pepper, and oregano, every bit of this chicken is so savory and flavorful. You can definitely eat it without sauce or pretty much anything else.

Beef Skirt with delicious Shallot Sauce, P795
Best eaten medium rare, this lean, thin, long slab of rib-eye steak is so juicy, tender, and flavorful. The beef is pinkish inside, with a nice char on the outside, garnished with salt and pepper to taste. For those who are overwhelmed by a full slab of steak, this is the perfect serving.

Chicken Vol Au Vent, P425
Tender chicken pieces are mixed with mushrooms and cream, and served in puff case. It reminds me of chicken a la king.

Pan Fried Salmon Fillet with Green Lentils, P895
The salmon tastes so fresh—no cream, no frills, it’s what stands out. It does have dots of Hollandaise sauce on the side.

Each entree goes with your choice of side dish. I tried the light-tasting, steamed, barrel-cut parsley potatoes; delicious, rich gratinated potato baked in cheese; flavorful and savory French Fries with truffle nori bits sprinkled in; and creamy, smooth, tasty mashed potatoes.

Dessert

Traditional Chocolate Mousse, P275
This dessert made with rich Swiss chocolate is for serious chocolate lovers. What’s good is it’s not cloyingly sweet. That bowl the mousse is in? It’s made of thick dark chocolate!

Mille Feuille, P250
You can’t try French cuisine without ending the meal with the French classic layered puff pastry with cream.

Poire Belle Helene, P265
Made of peach pear and vanilla ice cream served with hot chocolate sauce, it’s simple, but it’s my favorite among all the desserts in their lineup because it’s so refreshing—the perfect cool dessert in this heat. I didn’t expect the combo to work, but it did so well!

House Made Creme Caramel, P195
It’s light and not too sweet—considering at this point, my palate has been overwhelmed with so many flavors.

Nostalgia Dining Lounge is located at the 6/F of Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila, along 17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For reservations, please call (02) 637-7888 loc. 8604 or email premiermanila@oakwoodasia.com. Click here for my review of Nostalgia’s Friday Night Classics. To book your stay in Oakwood Premier via Agoda, click here.

Photos by Trixie Reyna