a mano BGC — Restaurant in Taguig

UPDATE🔆 Owner and his team already reached out to us, and we appreciate the gesture.🔆

WORST dining experience ever at A Mano BGC last night. Hubby, daughter and I arrived at your restaurant roughly 15 minutes before 9PM (March 26, 2024). We were seated smack in the middle of the resto , with the pizza counter across us. Our orders were taken at 8:57pm by B. Pamplona (captain server). Orders were (1) pc Truffle Focc, (1) pc Stracciatella, and (1) pc Pollo Al Burro.

Pollo Al Burro was served by R. Lawig at 9:13pm (based on the video I took on my phone). Mango shake and coke in can were also served, as well as the customary glass of water. We requested an additional order of (1) plate/cup of rice for our daughter from R. Lawig (server). When the rice was not serve after 15-20 minutes. I called on E. Gowan (server) to make a follow-up, and in more or less five (5) minutes he came back with it.

Came 9:45 pm, we noticed that all other customers who came in after us were already served, yet our two (2) remaining orders were not. I called R. Lawig (server) and asked where our orders were since we had been waiting for almost AN HOUR.  He hurriedly went behind the counter to check, while hubby called M. Sardovia (manager) to ask as well. At this point, I could see R. Lawig (server) speaking to the pizza guy by the oven, M. Sardovia (manager) at the same time simultaneously speaking with the pizza guy and R. Lawig (server). Judging by their facial expressions and actions it was so telling that they forgot our remaining orders. Manager M. Sardovia apologized and said it was an “honest mistake”,  while I called Z. Manzano (captain waiter)— this time you could imagine the anger and disgust we were feeling as the “forgotten customer”. To get this kind of service from an upscale restaurant with high reviews and part of the top international ranking for pizzas is UNACCEPTABLE (honest mistake or not). What was our server and the manager doing— clearly not monitoring? Did B. Pamplona (captain server) not endorse our orders before clocking out? Not one staff noticed that our table was the only one left with unused empty plates. Not one staff bothered to ask if we had been attended to or if we needed something. It shouldn’t be the customer’s responsibility to make a follow-up specially when service fee is expected. We were seated right in the middle of the resto, yet the staff  just walked past us, like we were invisible. Manager’s explanation that there was a glitch on the system and that our order was not punched in is preposterous. A glitch— yet all three (3) orders were on one (1) order slip, and the Pollo Al Burro, mango shake and coke were served.

As we were at the height of our exasperation, M. Sardovia (manager) and Z. Manzano (captain server) offered us to forego paying, but we insisted that we will only pay what was served on time. When we paid what our daughter consumed,  we cannot help but comment on the audacity of including a “service charge of 10%” — seriously- forgetting our orders and left us waiting for 45 minutes deserves a “service charge”? As we were about to leave, the food they neglected to serve has now miraculously in just 15 minutes were inside a box for take out and handed out to us. Was that supposed to make us feel better?  For the record, we did not take it. We are not food vloggers who were there for the possibility of free food or X deal  nor were we there to make a scene. We were there expecting to experience good food and just have a pleasant time—but what a big let down.

I have to commend Z. Manzano for stepping up sincerely, even if he was not our assigned server— he was conducting himself more like a manager than M. Sardovia. I also commend E. Gowan (server) for being focused when we made a follow-up on the rice — it’s the little things...

We have dined here a couple of times already but only now i got time to review them. What we missed the most here is the ravioli ricotta which tasted so good.

What we got this time is cafe latte hot and cold for drinks. Buttered pollo, steak rice, and of course, the ravioli ricotta.

Before we got to our entrée, we were served some bread sticks while waiting. Something nice to nibble on while we talk. We got our drinks next. The coffee was nice and strong.

The ricotta ravioli, to be honest, wasnt as we remember it last year. I checked my old pictures to be sure and i saw the sauce used was different. Instead of olive oil, it was swimming in a different darker sauce. The ravioli wasnt as al dente and filling like before. Thankfully, it still had the same cheesy and spinach taste, though.

We got the Buttered Chicken and steak rice next. The steak rice was really flavorful but there were two things we didn't like. It was too oily, and the serving was so little. We asked the waiter earlier and they said it was good for sharing, but looking at the portion, it was just enough for me.

The buttered chicken was a treat to look at while served. The chicken was sizzling in the oil and was really hot. Despite, swimming in oil, the skin was still crispy and the meat was juicy. It looked like it was based in butter like a steak would be cooked. It wasnt too salty so i was able to taste the herbs and other flavors in the chicken.

My wife, did get a bite of a part of the chicken that didn't taste fresh. Not sure if maybe some parts weren't cooked thoroughly or maybe it really wasnt as fresh. I, in the other hand, didn't taste anything funny.

Maybe we ordered the wrong mains since we wanted rice for a change but the experience was too oily for our taste and wanted something sour to reset our palate afterwards. I think, we should stick to their best dishes which are the pizza and pasta next time.

Despite, the misses with some of the dishes, the service and atmosphere is as good as we...

This is our second a mano experience, and we absolutely loved it. It has a casual upscale ambiance conducive for hanging out with friends and family. Service is quick and attentive. The care and quality they put into each dish shines through, producing a very satisfying dining experience.

We can honestly recommend every dish we've had so far, nothing missed the mark.

Our meatballs were well seasoned and very savory, making for an appetizing starter.

The pizza here is world class: fluffy mildly charred crust with a thin yet not soggy, topped with both classic and innovative combinations to excite your taste buds. We fully recommend the Divola pizza if you can't decide.

The handmade pasta here is an absolute must try. The difference is striking, and has a set bar for future pastas I encounter. We went with the classic Fettuccine Alfredo, which I recommend for highlighting how a good a simple pasta dish can be, with good technique. And the spinach lasagna was gorgeous, tasting as good as it looks.

The dessert here is as good as anything else on the menu. The Panna Cotta is the best I've had. It has such an incredibly smooth and velvety texture. It holds its form like jello, but has the luxurious texture of fresh cream. I can't wait to have it again. If that doesn't pique your interest the Burrata Gelato Soft surely will- the almost savory gelato pairs perfectly with the sweet toppings they have available.

Even the drinks are well thought out. The Tiramisu Latte is very Innovative. And the Grape Shake was...