LiLi - LaVie Resort & Casino Manila — Restaurant in Manila

This highly pretentious and expensive restaurant presented very nice Chinese food but it was a complete rip off and the service was poor!

We ordered half a duck with pancakes but in fact only half of it (15 paper thin slices) was carved up in front of us (in a very portentous ceremony). When we had filled half the pancakes with the carved duck and asked for the remainder of it we were told “the remainder of it has been disposed off since you had not requested it is cooked in an alternative manner”. After much defensive talk from the waiter he offered to bring us a few slices of barbecued pork instead.

Two waitresses approached the waiter carving up our duck and seemingly asked him to smell some wine from a bottle and then poured him a glass to drink. This involved giggling and looked very unprofessional given the impression and prices they charge.

Furthermore they served hoisin sauce in a tiny saucer (meant to be used in 15 pancakes) and an equally small amount of cucumber and spring onion. We had to ask them to top it up several times. Again, in a restaurant that charges extortionate prices the service was suboptimal.

Half a duck (in actual fact a quarter), 4 dim sum, braised vegetables and a small bottle of fizzy water, unlimited jasmine tea cost over 5000 pesos (£75). They had the cheek to add service charge. It was the most expensive and disappointing meal in the Philippines!!!...

I’ve always had a soft spot for Lili, ever since its days under Hyatt. It’s comforting to see that under New Coast Hotel’s management, the restaurant continues to uphold the same level of service and attention to detail that made it a favorite among loyal patrons.

The dishes remain beautifully presented and unmistakably premium — from the perfectly crisp roasted chicken with its delicate skin and juicy meat, to the silky tofu hotpot layered with mushrooms and vegetables simmered in a light, savory broth. The stir-fried beef bursts with wok-hei and depth, while the fried rice is delightfully aromatic, each grain coated evenly with flavor. Even the simple greens shine — crisp, vibrant, and kissed with just the right amount of garlic and seasoning.

That said, while the quality remains excellent, I found myself reminiscing about the days when a Hong Kong chef led the kitchen. The flavors then had a sharper precision and a little more flair — the kind that lingered long after the meal. Still, there’s no denying that Lili remains one of the best places in the city for an intimate, refined Chinese dining experience — a timeless spot where good food and quiet celebration come together...

Attended a whisky dinner at this high-end fine dining restaurant in the New Coast Hotel in Malate, Manila, and the experience is inconsistent.

Pros: The place looked posh and sophisticated. The wait staff assigned to our group was very attentive and polite, repeatedly refilling our goblet with water or replacing our small plates without being asked. I also saw the head of the wait staff observing and continuously accommodating guests' requests. The 9 dishes served to us are mostly just ok. Not bad, but not great as well. The whisky drinks served by the sponsor were great from the welcome drinks up to the featured drinks during the tasting. Not sure if they have them in their regular menu.

Cons: We didn't pay for the food and I understand they were expensive but they were inconsistent. Out of the 9 dishes served, maybe just the dimsum platter and the dessert stand out and the rest are just ok. The front desk is not manned all the time. It is located beside the bathroom, so the several times I went to the loo, no one was there to welcome guests. The way to the parking from the main road is such a puzzle and would be problematic if one is...