Amaretto — Restaurant in Mandaue

[UPDATE] Our 2nd visit, we decided to over for lunch. We arrived a few minutes before they opened and we were the 1st customers for the day. This time, I'm updating the stars because everything and everyone were very commendable. The owner and the staff were fully aware of our 1st experience and they seriously had to step forward ahead of their game so no one will encounter it again. We decided to make this restaurant our monthly celebratory place to dine. 😍

[1st visit] I'm dropping the 1-star because the special arrangements I was promised were not fulfilled. I made a table reservation for my partner's birthday and communicated my surprise plans via Instagram. Although the communication was swift, the information was not relayed to the crew. I was disappointed to arrive and find a completely plain table, missing the "wow factor" I had anticipated. However, the staff quickly redeemed themselves by adding a table runner and flower vases as soon as we were seated.

Staff were friendly and apologetic. Knows exactly what they have on the menu but the menu itself have the description. The beef medallion was a hit as well as their tiramisu. They also ask if you want to add a dedication on the plate if you're celebrating something. The sea bass kinilaw is also up to our liking but not the asian herb used for garnishing. The Sous Vide pork belly was so tasty. The food needs to be eaten while still warm though.

The place is cozy and private on the 2nd floor than the ground floor. Although, the lighting needs...

Gave this resto a try despite the mix reviews as the more recent ones gave decent ratings and I must say that the overall experience was really underwhelming. We tried a couple of their dishes which were the Ricotta Bruschetta, Sea Bass Kinilaw, Truffle Pasta, Beef salpicao and their best seller which was the Sous Vide Whiskey Pork Belly.

The Bruschetta was decent, nothing worth noting here tbh. The Kinilaw was honestly the only dish I particularly enjoyed, it is just your regular kinilaw but with pomelo and cilantro which i really enjoyed.

The truffle pasta was so disappointing. Not only did it lack the truffle flavor, it honestly tasted like the regular carbonaras with heavy cream served in other restaurants. This was such a let down and turned us off.

The beef salpicao was WAY TOO SALTY. We couldn’t even enjoy the taste of the beef as we only tasted the saltiness of the dish. For the price we paid for it, we obviously felt like this was such a rip off.

Now for their best seller, that Pork Belly was honestly 80% fat and 20% meat. The only thing we liked about this dish was the mashed potatoes and vegetables but for 749, i certainly didnt expect we’d be served such a mediocre dish.

Aside from the underwhelming dishes, choice of music really killed the mood, didn’t match the restaurant’s ambiance at all. Service was slow as well. I still get why people go here, it’s cheap and ambiance is instagram worthy. Do i think it’s worth it?...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the newly opened Amaretto Restaurant in Cebu, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. Of course, I had to try their best-seller dishes, and I’m happy to report that I did not regret it. The flavors were spot on, and the presentation was beautifully done. The price is quite reasonable for the quality of food you get.

The ambiance was perfect for a romantic evening. Although it was a virtual date for us, I felt completely comfortable in the cozy atmosphere. The staff were incredibly accommodating and made sure I had everything I needed. In fact, they went above and beyond by checking in regularly and even took pictures for me, since I was dining alone. It was a thoughtful gesture that made the experience even more special.

To top it off, they surprised me with a complimentary dessert to commemorate our anniversary. Such a lovely touch! The music they played throughout the evening was another highlight—really set the perfect mood for the night.

I’ve heard some negative reviews about the place, but after visiting myself, I can confidently say that the experience was superb. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or simply want a cozy, romantic dinner, I highly recommend reserving a table here. Amaretto has definitely earned my trust...