When East-Meets-West in Todd English Food Hall

In the course of going to some events, there are some food places that would capture your attention.  It could be due to the food or the ambiance or both but definitely it leaves a mark in your mind that you have to write about it.  Such was the case of Todd English Food Hall for me.

It was a lunch event about an newly developed app that is already in the market that lead me to this food place in Taguig City.  Todd English Food Hall is located at the Sky Garden of SM Aura. If NBA Café is on one end, this one is on the other side and end of the Sky Garden area.  From the name itself, it is an English-Euro themed food place.

One thing that got my attention when they started serving the food ordered was how they plated it.  Each plate was a work of art!  The colors were vibrant and visually appealing!  The plates’ were like canvases used by painters filled with colors.  The food components were like pieces of art that makes up the whole art piece!  It is that visually appealing that it is a clear sign that each plate is well thought out in terms of flavor and presentation.

That lunch date with Booky App lead me to a delightful lunch affair.  Despite being English themed, they have an entry in their menu that will enable you to do an East-meets-West theme.  What I had that day was their Seared Scallops Risotto and Pork Dumplings in Ponzu Reduction. 

The scallops were gloriously cooked for you see that beautiful sear markings outside but still soft and tender inside.  The scallops are then placed on top of a bed of risotto cooked in squid ink with leeks puree beneath that plating.  It was good visual plating for it framed each component well.  The puree was framed by the plate that totally contrasted in color with the risotto.  The scallops showed off well because of the squid ink cooked risotto and that green leek puree framing everything.  Visually it was perfect.  Texture wise, it was also perfect.  Taste wise, for me, a pinch more of salt would have lifted their Seared Scallops Risotto to perfection.

The Pork Dumplings in Ponzu Reduction is a jewel!  What looks plain outside is actually juicy and flavored inside.  There is a play of sweetness, saltiness and a little sourness in this dish that totally works well with the seasoned meat inside the wrapper.  I so love this dumpling that I cannot wait to try the other dumplings that they have and how it would have been if it was seared.

Another notable thing with the place is how honest their staffs were or should I say how candidly honest one of their staff was that day.  Let me tell you the story behind this claim of mine.  It was that moment that the entire guests were asked to choose anything that we would like to have in the menu for lunch.  A seatmate of mine asked the attending staff for his recommendation.  He immediately did a rundown on all their best items while stating that everything is good. Come the meat part he candidly mentioned: “The lamb chops are so-so.  We try our best but it doesn’t always come out right.” That was when I nearly fell off my seat. It was my first time to hear a staff of a restaurant who would casually mention a kitchen challenge and act like it is a normal thing to do.  He was so honest that he simply wants the best for the customer.

This may be a short write-up about the place and its food offerings but one thing is definite, I will go back here and try out the rest.