Duck & Buvette - Shangri-La — Restaurant in Mandaluyong

Overall we had delicious food with points for improvement on some dishes.

We really liked the Goat Cheese Ravioli, the filling was very rich and flavorful. It had vegetables as part of the toppings. I would come back just for the ravioli.

The Crispy Potato appetizer was also good. The potatoes could be seasoned more to make it better, but the cheese on top added to the flavor. The potatoes were layered and crispy, which made it nice to eat.

The Rustic Chicken salad was unique as well since the chicken was not just grilled on its own, but with spices and sauce. So this added a lot of flavor to an otherwise plain salad. Would recommend trying this as an appetizer.

The Duck Confit was great. The duck was crispy on the outside, very tender on the inside. The rice was like garlic rice and paired well with the duck. But the skin, even if crispy, didn't really have much taste. So I'm not sure if there's a way to improve it, but that was the only lacking part for me on the dish, since the gravy fits well with the meat already.

The 8Hr Beef Brisket was just okay. It didn't really taste that different from any other place. The beef could still be softer. But the sauce and the mashed potatoes were the best part for me of the dish.

The Mushroom and Shrimp appetizer came with bread. The bread was good. But the mushroom and shrimp felt it lacked flavor as the oil didn't taste like much but overpowered everything else so it lacked flavor.

Then I wouldn't recommend the Maple Bacon Pizza Bianca. This was our worst order for the night. The Bacon was so sweet and basically overpowered the whole dish. You couldn't really taste anything but sweet. This was a shame for me, because the crust was pretty good. I would suggest to order any other pizza other than this one, it might be...

Duck & Buvette at Shangri-La Mall is not just a dining destination; it's a culinary haven that beckons with its exquisite fusion of French and Mediterranean flavors. With each visit, the experience unfolds like a gastronomic symphony.

The journey commenced with the Bistro French Onion Soup, a masterpiece that resonated with intense savory notes, possibly derived from premium beef broth and a hint of carefully selected alcohol. The sweet embrace of caramelized onions added depth to an already flavorful broth.

Opting for a lighter ensemble, plates of House Marinated Olive & Garlic Confit and Fennel Wild Mushroom with Shrimp graced the table. The Fennel Wild Mushroom plate, a true revelation, delighted with its licorice undertones. The only slight nuance was the shrimp, which, while satisfactory, yearned for the sweetness of the ocean's freshness.

The star of the meal, the Cafe Provençal Pizza, painted a Mediterranean masterpiece on the palate. The harmonious dance of capers, anchovies, cheese, tomatoes, and Parma ham brought a symphony of flavors, capturing the essence of both regions flawlessly.

A delightful discovery added a new layer to the experience: the acceptance of furry companions in the side area of the restaurant. A testament to the establishment's warmth and inclusivity.

The servers, paragons of hospitality, guided the culinary journey with their pleasant demeanor and in-depth knowledge of the menu. As a subtle suggestion, the inclusion of suggested wine pairings could elevate the dining experience, allowing patrons to immerse themselves fully in the marriage of French and...

A French restaurant that survived the two years of pandemic lockdowns. I still remember its old name; Cafe Provencal.

It is almost a given in any French restaurant I visited that the prices would be higher than comparable restaurants serving other cuisines. This was no exception. Maybe it's ambience or cachet that you pay for; but I prefer that the food should be the raison d'etre for a restaurant. They do have interesting items on the menu that got my notice; but the few times I've been there, I have not seen much in value for the price.

They have Cassoulet printed on the menu; but was unavailable or discontinued. I must confess that I have been looking for a French restaurant near my location that has Cassoulet, and Ratatouille. I have not found one so far. Thus I still have this lingering curiosity as to why those two dishes are famous.

Their Slow Braised Beef Burgundy did not satisfy me. Yes, the meat separated from the bone without much effort. But the flavor was too plain for me. I would have liked more aromatics to liven the taste.

Praises to the soup, and the salad. The Bistro French Onion Soup was satisfying. The Grilled Romaine Salad was outstanding; and had deep umami flavors from the grilling, the parmesan cheese, and the anchovy garlic dressing.

Credits also to the staff. They were very accomodating, and...