Mesa Filipino Moderne is a name that is often equated with Filipino food with a slight modern twist. What is distinctive about Mesa is that Filipino cuisine is given a contemporary tang while remaining faithful to classic flavors that we are all familiar with.
Mesa Filipino Moderne is a name that is often equated with Filipino food with a slightly modern twist. What is distinctive about Mesa is that Filipino cuisine is given a contemporary tang while remaining faithful to classic flavors that we are all familiar with.
Mesa Filipino Moderne: Pinoy Cuisine Modernized
Location and ambiance
Depending on where you are coming from, this Mesa outlet can be a convenient location. For one, Ayala Circuit Mall is not situated along a major thoroughfare. Thus, the vehicle traffic going to and from the mall does not get too choked. However, it is especially advantageous for those who are in Makati as well as in nearby locations.
In terms of ambiance, diners can look forward to a warm and welcoming vibe at Mesa. The particular branch at Ayala Circuit Mall is a bit small but customers can sit comfortably because the tables and chairs are not cramped. It was a little past lunchtime when we ate here so there was no waiting time for us before we got seated. The interiors of Mesa are well-lit; it’s actually very modern with the wooden walls adorned beautifully with framed photographs. It’s not really an unforgettable design but, again, it was cozy and roomy.
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| Mixed seafood in chili sauce |
In terms of ambiance, diners can look forward to a warm and welcoming vibe at Mesa. The particular branch at Ayala Circuit Mall is a bit small but customers can sit comfortably because the tables and chairs are not cramped. It was a little past lunchtime when we ate here so there was no waiting time for us before we got seated. The interiors of Mesa are well-lit; it’s actually very modern with the wooden walls adorned beautifully with framed photographs. It’s not really an unforgettable design but, again, it was cozy and roomy.
Food at Mesa
We ordered Kare-Kare (Php390; vegetable, meat, and tripe cooked in peanut sauce and served with shrimp paste or bagoong), Crispy Boneless Pata (Php775; pork leg), Seafood Mix in chili sauce (Php580), and Bam-I (Php215; sautéed rice noodles, meat, vegetables, and egg).
Among the food that we ordered at Mesa, I found Kare-Kare to be the most enjoyable. I must say that Mesa must have a way of doing Kare-Kare right. The sauce is creamy with a slight hint of smoky, toasted peanut flavor. The vegetables are cooked just right while the meat is fork-tender. I loved eating this with bagoong and steamed white rice.
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| Kare-Kare |
Meanwhile, the seafood mix in chili sauce can be a good appetizer but we ate it anyway with rice. The savory, slightly spicy sauce is packed with seafood flavor and great with either rice or a cold beer.
The Crispy Boneless Pata is actually my least favorite dish that day. The pork skin is cooked crunchy and flavorful but I did not really like how the meat was cooked. I would have wanted it cooked thoroughly, crunchier than how it was prepared, and less oily. It was delicious and flavorful; it’s just that I was looking for a specific texture when it comes to crispy pata.
Lastly, the Bam-I was packed with flavor and loaded with lots of meat and vegetable toppings. We were not able to finish it though because we already had rice. Anyway, we really ordered it for Miguel so that he would also have something to eat while we enjoy lunch.
Verdict
All in all, it was a family lunch experience that we completely enjoyed at Mesa. Khris and I realized how much we missed eating at Mesa. Quality and flavors are still on point.
In terms of price, some dishes were quite pricey but serving size is big so the quantity more than makes up for the cost. What we noticed though is that there is scarcity in vegetarian dishes. We are not really vegans or vegetarians but it is always good to pair meat with vegetables.
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| Crispy boneless pata |
In terms of price, some dishes were quite pricey but serving size is big so the quantity more than makes up for the cost. What we noticed though is that there is scarcity in vegetarian dishes. We are not really vegans or vegetarians but it is always good to pair meat with vegetables.
Mesa accepts cash and credit card payments.
Mesa Branch List
Mesa at Ayala Malls Circuit (Carmona, Makati City) is located at the Upper Ground Floor of the Main Mall. As in any other Mesa branch, walk-in dining is accepted, however, they do encourage customers to call their telephone number +63 9275547967 for reservations.
Mesa is also located at the following addresses:
Greenbelt 5
Level 1, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Telephone Numbers: 02 75762991 and +63 9178916372
SM Megamall
Second Floor, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Telephone Numbers: 02 84704660 and +63 9175435854
SM Aura
Fifth Floor, SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9276504661 and 02 84787476
Tomas Morato
264 Tomas Morato Corner Scout Fernandez, Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: 02 84415197 and +63 9175697297
SM North Edsa
Third Floor, Main Building, SM City North Edsa, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9178526376 and 02 83325977
Robinsons Magnolia
Third Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: 02 79552087 and +63 9173476543
SM Southmall
Food Street, Upper Ground Floor, SM Southmall, Alabang-Zapote Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City
Telephone Numbers: 02 85555033 and +63 9175783416
Power Plant Mall
Second Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City
Second Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9493718854 and 02 77286650
Eastwood Mall
Third Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: 02 87060319 and 02 75064769
SM Mall of Asia
Ground Floor, North Wing, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Telephone Number: 02 77592271
SM City East Ortigas
Second Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Santa Lucia, Pasig City
Telephone Number: 02 87214434
SM City Fairview
Second Floor, Annex Building, SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9274635095 and 02 83517677
Ayala Malls 30th
Ground Floor, Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9478999800 and 02 79551736
Robinsons Galleria
Level 3, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9260859091 and 02 86388326
Evia Lifestyle Center
Second Floor, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9958110783 and +63 9178840397
Ayala Malls Cloverleaf
Ground Level, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Balintawak, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9333398808 and +63 9365064981
Festival Mall
Ground Floor, Water Garden, Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City
Telephone Numbers: 02 88210564 and +63 9157005503
Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Third Floor, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Parañaque City
Telephone number not listed
Ayala Malls Feliz
Second Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Dela Paz, Pasig City
Telephone Numbers: +63 9150727029 and +63 9436757763
SM City San Lazaro
Upper Ground Floor, SM City San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila
Telephone Number: +63 9564669315
Ali Mall
Ground Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Telephone Number: +63 9566105552
Vista Mall
Ground Floor, Vista Mall Taguig, Cayetano Avenue, Greater Taguig, Taguig City
Telephone number not listed
SM City Sucat
SM City Sucat
Mall B, SM City Sucat, San Dionisio, Parañaque City
Telephone number not listed
Robinsons Place Manila
Robinsons Place Manila
Second Floor, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Telephone number not listed
This Mesa branch list is courtesy of Zomato.
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That is some amazing looking food! I would eat my weight in all of it! Mesa seems like a great place.
ReplyDeleteThe mixed seafood plate sounds delicious! I’d probably add rice to it as well. Too bad the crispy boneless pata wasn’t that great. Thanks for taking the time to review for us!
ReplyDeleteOh this looks so good! Would love to try!
ReplyDeleteI'm unfamiliar with a lot of these dishes, but they look so good! Thanks for sharing the details, and especially the pictures!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so delicious. Would love to try some of these foods.
ReplyDeleteWith so many locations, it sounds like a popular restaurant chain. Judging by your pics, I can see why!
ReplyDeleteMesa Filipino Moderne is a staple for me. I like dining at this restaurant. I usually go to Greenbelt branch.
ReplyDeleteI definitely would like to culture my pallet and these dishes do look amazing. Thanks for sharing his post!
ReplyDeleteThe food looks pretty good! Thanks for sharing. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteNnnniiiccceeeeee...I love how their crispy boneless pata turned out! I wanna try it.
ReplyDeleteSome really scrumptious looking dishes out there. Seems like I need to visit Mesa at Ayala Malls Circuit when I am in Manila.
ReplyDelete