It’s Fab at FAB
press photo
press photo
Yes, it’s really FAB for fabulous, Holiday Inn Galleria Manila’s newest restaurant. In a city where every hotel boasts their own theater kitchen – think HEAT or 7 Corners — FAB strikes out with its own concept: unlimited appetizer and dessert buffet accompanied by an a la carte menu from which I choose my main course.
press photo
Unlike any other a la carte menu, I can choose from different kinds of meats: imported steaks from the US, racks of lamb and lamb chops straight from the rotisserie, grilled chicken, spareribs, fillets of salmon, sea bass, cod, and red snapper (maya-maya). Of course the beauty in a meal set-up such as this one is the ability to choose: surf and turf platters are available, combining the beauty of earth and sea; or skewered meats for that more rustic kebab experience. I also get to choose how I want my main course cooked — grilled, steamed, fried, baked — ah, choices, choices!
A good meal needs warming up to so I take my time with the appetizers, a spread of breads and cheeses, hors d’ oeuvres, smoked meats, and a gorgeous tangerine-colored terrine. There’s also a mix-and-match salad bar and an array of chafing dishes offering a wealth of hot starters and sides: potato gratin, steamed cauliflower, rice, etc.
As I gnaw on a portion of suckling pig (so far, my favorite among the mains offered to the food press) I’m appreciative of the bright light streaming in from the wide glass windows. FAB is definitely a casual restaurant with little frills or anything else that will detract from the food. Much of the interior is in subdued earth tones highlighted by native indigenous materials and accents.
A seafood plate arrives, and my companions grab the lobster and crayfish. Because I’ve got my camera in my face, I’m the last to get any of the seafood — I’m happy with the lone prawn that I’m able to nab. Briny with the taste of charcoal, it’s good. While I’m usually more aggressive when it comes to “hunting” for my food, I’m not worried about not getting enough of the main course because I already have my eye on the dessert buffet.
Sparkling with various colors, the dessert buffet is a kaleidoscope of taste and choice. Various toppings are waiting to be mixed into the ice cream – I choose pistachio mint and drown it in a gush of caramel. Other ice cream flavors include mango and chocolate. There are shooter glasses filled with mousse, little cups of pot de crème, glistening fruit tarts, mini chocolate carrot cakes redolent with cinnamon, a unique cheesecake with glazed fruits in the middle, and the take-no-prisoners hot fudge brownie. Dubbed the restaurant’s “killer dessert,” it’s a hot brownie practically oozing in ganache, garnished with sliced almonds for texture. It is, in a word, FAB. I go back for seconds.
THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED.
FAB, the Restaurant
4th Level, Holiday Inn Galleria, Manila
One Asian Development Bank Avenue,
Ortigas Center, Pasig
For inquiries, call 633-7222, local 7313
P650/ appetizer + dessert buffet, plus P320 for a main course.
Thanks to Cheryl Arnold and Abigail Chang.
12 Comments
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Backyard BBQ Cook Off
Just to clarify on the pricing, it’s php650 for dessert and appetizer buffet. Then, to enjoy the buffet with the main course, there’s only a surcharge of php320.
Thanks Lor! You take the best pictures!!! (And I had loads of fun chatting up with you.)
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question: do you really have to order the main course in order to avail of the appetizer and dessert buffet? or can i just get the appetizer and dessert buffet only? thanks
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Ahhhhhhh! Dessert buffet!
Of course, it’s FAB. Bwahahaah.
~Mahar
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May katapat na Restaurant 5 ng Discovery Suites (buffet at php650++). Hehehe!
By the way, Ms. Lori, have you tried eating at Restaurant 5? Pretty good food at an unbeatable price of php650.
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I’m salivating over that steak on the grill!
What’s the price range for the main course dishes? So price of main course + 320 (buffet) right?
Thanks!
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thesmartone- No, you can just order the apps/dessert buffet, or just have either the apps or dessert buffet. There are separate prices for each option.
Pilar- Restaurant 5 is on my to-try list. Thanks for the tip.
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The dessert table was such a menagerie, so beautifully miniature.
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The suckling pig looks the best. Yum!
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We’re booked at Holiday Inn on New Years Eve and at first I was hesitant about their restos but after reading this blog, I can’t wait for Dec 31! You have such wonderful blog. =D
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My wife and I just came from FAB last night to scope the restaurant before making any firm committment to dine there and we found the appetizer/dessert buffet offerings falling short of what most of us are used to in other 5-star hotel buffets. I talked to the maitre’d and he said that the appetizer section consisted of a salad bar and cheese platter while the dessert on offer was a few trays of sweets similar to what was pictured in the original post. Lori, your pictures led me to believe that the suckling pig and prawns were part to the appetizer buffet, but I was told that these items are offered as a main course. Personally speaking, for P650++, I find this restaurant to offer somewhat slim pickings. We’ll be heading to Restaurant 5 at Discovery Suites instead.
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everything just looks delicious!
an off topic question though, your pictures are so crisp, what camera did you use?
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had dinner there last week and it’s nothing great. very few choices from both the appetizers and desserts. i even asked the waiter if their gindara was imported and he said yes but you’d know it was local from the texture and the side effect you get from eating local gindara. definitely not going back there.
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