Above, under & beyond the rainbow: Food Review: Planet Grapes

Are you a budding wine drinker? Are you still following the traditional pairing of red wine to red meat and such and wants to discover more? if your answer is Yes, then Planet Grapes is the place for you.

Thanks to ZomatoPH, me along with some bloggers, were able to experience that food and wine experience that Planet Grapes has made available to the public.

With branches strategically located, Planet Grapes is here to give you a wine experience a grape at a time. The Ortigas-Mandaluyong branch located at the North Wing of the Shangri-la Mall is here to give you more. Spacious, relax and with taste are the best words to describe this location. With an amply spaced dining area, you will definitely enjoy your wine and food adventure.

The food that they serve are simple yet full of flavor making your wine pairing a breeze or simply follow the staffs recommendation. From appetizers to desserts, they have something that you will definitely enjoy; I sure enjoyed some of their offerings and will come back for more.

A must have is the Chicharon with Tinapa Dip. It is pig's skin, air dried then fried to have that crunch as you bite into it. They made sure that it is not greasy thus making you forget the guilt that you may have from eating a bucket (yes, they serve the chicharon using a small metal bucket lined with grease paper). Normally, people here in the Philippines will eat this using vinegar as a dip but with Planet Grapes, they elevated everything! Tinapa is your dried smoked fish. It is definitely fishy and has that distinct smoke flavor and smell. With that in mind, think of it converted into a slightly thick paste for dipping, minus the fishy taste. Impossible? It is possible for Planet Grapes has made it so! The smoke flavor is there and if there is any grease from the chicharon, the dip made sure that you will not have that oily you feeling. The crunch, the smoky flavor . . .divine! I will not be surprise if you hug the whole serving.

Red Hot Bopis is your pig's internal organs- heart, liver and lungs; minced and sauteed with shallots and peppers and served using a hot plate. If you do not like livers, then I will not recommend this for it has a strong liver flavor BUT when paired with either the Paul Mas Sauvignon Blanc 2012 or the Pircas Negras Malbec 2013 , your wine and dine experience is brought to a whole new level!

The Chicken Barbecue is simple. Think of it like your typical satay minus the peanut sauce. What I like with this offering is the technique as to how it was made. The meat has its expected and desired grill marks minus the burnt taste. The celery pieces was grilled right also because it gave off its sweet flavor further enhancing the chicken meat. Do I like this offering? As a starter, it is light, sweet and opens you to other flavors; this is a definite YES!

From one barbecue to another, the Organic BBQ Pork Spare Ribs is definitely a show stopper for meat lovers. The meat is soft that you can remove the bones effortlessly. The glaze is sweet and spicy at the same time. The way I taste it, it is possible that the sweetness is from brown sugar because of the molasses like flavor that the meat also has. Asian flavors also came to play because of the spice used. Please note that there is a small amount of sea salt on the serving board. The salt, when used, gives an added flavor to the meat. It lifts the sweetness of the meat up front and makes it more delicious!

There are two-types of pairing you need to apply with this dish; the side dish and the wine.

You can pair the Organic BBQ Pork Spare Ribs with either their signature Adobo Rice or Mashed Potato. Both are rich in carbohydrates but definitely different in flavors and food experience.

The Adobo Rice is topped with a soft cottony meat floss that melts in your mouth! And the adobo flavor truly went into the rice which makes it a hit for rice lovers.

The Mashed Potato is a definite must for me! It has that distinct Idaho potato flavor that goes well with the sweet-spicy glaze of the spare ribs. The texture is smooth and it's creaminess is just right (not buttery cream). Topped with spring onions, it gives a rustic comforting flavor that you would love.

For wine, pair it off with the Folie a Deux Cabernet Sauvignon 2009! It has a full body flavor of oak and apple. Underlying flavor of cinnamon gives this wine, multiple dimension. That rich wine helps enhance the flavor and cleanses the palate making you open for the next bite.

For desserts, choose whether you would go for the favorite of Laguna, Davao or a street favorite brought to a whole new level.

If you have that craving for that delicacy from the province of Laguna, then satisfy it with their Buko Pie Pockets. It is 3 pastry pockets of not-so-sweet buko filling with a flaky crust and dusted with finely ground toasted coconut meat. The filling is not mushy nor dense. Best with coffee for some, but for Planet Grapes, Urban Old Vines 2013 is the what you should pair it off.

Durian is a flavor known and loved in Davao. You may have it in its candied form, tart or raw (fruit), you will remember it for its flavor and smell. Planet Grapes now introduced durian in its new dessert form . . .creme bruele.

Their Creme Bruele, when served, comes in three flavors - banana, classic and durian. When compared with other creme bruele, this is not baked using a water bath but chilled. Yes, you read it right, it is chilled. Each flavor is clear per ceramica and when mixed with the burned sugar on top, the flavor is made different.

I have met food places that serves this local street treat and tried to lift it to a new level but Planet Grapes has truly gave this treat a whole new flavor dimension. A must try . . . Turon Trilogy!

Compared to other turon's, this is not fried but baked. The wrapped is also flaky. Served with a homemade caramel sauce mixed with jackfruit, lifting caramel sauce a whole new level. The bananas are in chunks and covered with a smooth layer of violet yam giving you a texture experience to remember - the crunch from the wrap, the smooth yam, that banana chunk and the smooth caramel feeling. Add to that the different flavors from the same ingredients, and what you have is a turon that you would love.

I love this turon! Whoever thought of this deserves a hug! It is sweet street food made glorious and elegant!

When it comes to food and wine pairing, Planet Grapes truly knows their craft. All their staffs knows what is best and the flavor that each bottle has. Wines coming from the new world is something one has to try and know. May it be blanc/white or red or rose, let the people of Planet Grapes guide you in knowing your wine, a grapes at a time.

Planet Grapes has truly made a union made in kitchen heaven with their food and wine, making your food and wine experience a fun adventure!

Wines served that night: