#i scanned him 6 times and mashed em together

[foxsnails]

Collage Atlantic Salmon!

Finally putting my scrap collection to good use, I'm unable to draw much atm due to a cyst in my wrist so trying out different mediums recently is super refreshing :)

Prints and stickers of this guy will be on my shop soon!

[thehungrykat1]

Nostalgia Lounge & Bar Offers New Expanded Menu

Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila is one of the few hotels that has been very busy during the pandemic. They have been accredited by the Department of Tourism as a staycation hotel since last year and this is where we even celebrated Valentine’s Day (Read: Love, Suite Love Valentine’s Staycation at Joy Nostalg Manila). Their signature restaurant, Nostalgia Lounge and Bar, has also been busy catering to its guests, so I was happy to find out that they have expanded their dine-in and delivery menu with even more mouthwatering dishes.

Nostalgia Lounge & Bar is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant located on the sixth floor. We had a lovely weekday lunch here last week to check out the new delectables items on their menu. We have had several orders during the past year from their Nostalgia To Go delivery service, but it is really a different and more rewarding experience dining at the restaurant itself.

I have been part of Nostalgia Lounge & Bar’s gastronomic journey ever since its inception as the Nostalgia Dining Lounge in 2015. It has won several awards and distinctions though the years, most notably when it was judged as one of the Top 20 Best Restaurants by Philippine Tatler in 2016 and 2017.

The restaurant follows strict health and safety protocols in accordance with #Allsafe, the new cleanliness and prevention standards set by the Accor Hotels group. Guests are required to wear face masks and face shields except when sitting at their tables. Temperature scans are conducted upon entry, and you also have to answer the Health Declaration Form using the QR Code or with pen and paper.

The Nostalgia Lounge & Bar is a step back in time where diners can relive the good old days amidst a backdrop of contemporary classic elegance. There used to be more sofas and tables in the restaurant, but now they have also implemented social distancing measures with only 50% maximum dining capacity.

Guests can feel safe and secure with this amount of space in-between seats. Several tables also have plexiglass barriers for those business meetings and get togethers.

You can also choose to sit at the sofas which feels more like you’re at home instead of at a hotel restaurant. Despite all the safety procedures, Nostalgia Lounge & Bar still retains that relaxing homey ambiance to set the mood for a cozy afternoon.

There are a few private dining rooms here as well and this is where we had our socially distanced lunch with Ms. Kyra Cabaero, PR & Marketing Communications Director for Joy Nostalg Manila. It had been such a long time since I last talked with Kyra face-to-face, so this is a great venue to catch up with friends and family, without having to open your homes to visitors.

Since everything is now digital, you can find Nostalgia Lounge & Bar’s new menu using the QR Code on the placemat. But don’t worry, they also have a disposable printed version of the menu for those who are not as technologically adept. Payment options are also available digitally or through traditional methods.

We started by ordering some beverages and these are the perfect summer refreshments. I had the Banana Chocolate Almond Milkshake (P330) for myself and my husband had the Virgin Mango Piñacolada Milkshake (P330). They also have a variety of juices, sodas, wines, and beers.

Complimentary bread rolls with butter were served before our orders arrived.

For our appetizers, we ordered the Escargots (P700), a classic French delicacy made with... snails! This may not be a dish that everybody enjoys, but we really like ordering this at French restaurants when we can.

It comes with delectable escargots or land snails sautéed in garlic butter, white wine, and parsley. The garlic butter sauce was extremely tasty, and we even used the rolls and bread to scoop up the remaining oils.

Another recommended starter is the French Onion Soup (P450). This hearty bowl comes with a rich beef broth prepared with caramelized onions and a splash of white wine then topped with bread, gratinated gruyere and emmental cheese. It’s a warm and cheesy bowl of soup that packs a lot of flavors.

I ordered another one of Nostalgia Lounge & Bar’s new dishes for myself, the Seafood and Crab Roe Fettuccini (P720). This gorgeous pasta dish has prawn, scallop, fish, and squid simmered in crab roe cream with a hint of fresh green chili. I like its creamy texture combined with all of those succulent seafood.

Executive Chef Edgar Alejandria also has a few Asian favorites on the menu like the Crispy Pata (P880). This Filipino classic is quite familiar with everyone but I have never seen it presented this elegantly.

The twice-cooked whole pork knuckle is deep fried until crisp and golden brown. Nostalgia Lounge & Bar then makes it easier for us by deboning the pork knuckle and serving it in bite-sized portions. The pork was both crispy and juicy. I absolutely loved it! This is also served with atchara, soy vinegar sauce, and steamed rice.

For the Lenten season, the Pan-Fried Salmon Fillet (P1,380) would be a good seafood option. This fresh Norwegian salmon fillet is seasoned and cooked perfectly with its soft and tender meat.

The salmon is served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, tomato confit, and lemon caper sauce. I was really impressed with all the new dishes being offered on the menu.

But this item that my husband ordered is an old favorite. The US Certified Angus Ribeye (P2,200) comes with a huge 250 grams of rib eye steak grilled to medium doneness. It is served with mixed greens and peppercorn sauce.

You really can’t go wrong with steak so this was an easy choice for him. The juicy beef still is still red and pinkish inside so it retains a lot of its natural flavors.

You can also order additional sides like the Creamed Spinach (P150) and Mashed Potatoes (P150). Aside from these, other options include French fries, buttered vegetables, baked potatoes, or garlic rice as your side dish.

We were both really full and satisfied with all the dishes we tried. So for our dessert, we just shared the Classic Chocolate Lava Cake (P560). This chocolate fondant cake comes with a molten chocolatey center and is served with strawberries and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

We would like to thank Ms. Kyra for inviting us back to sample these new dishes at the Nostalgia Lounge & Bar. We all have to be careful when dining out during the pandemic, so it is important to choose a venue where guests can really feel safe. But if you are still not comfortable dining out, all of these are also available for takeout and delivery through Nostalgia To Go (check their menu here), so you can still indulge in these new and classic favorites at the comforts of your homes. Give them a call or message them for reservations and deliveries! Nostalgia To Go is also available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.

Nostalgia Lounge & Bar

6/F Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites, 17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Pasig

7719-1160 / (0961) 567-9658

www.joynostalgmanila.com

www.facebook.com/NostalgiaLoungeBar