More than just a dash of salt & pepper

The food you are about to wipe off your lips is made of the finest quality.” Written on a table napkin, Salt & Pepper’s witty promotional material is right on target as it speaks directly to foodies craving a gourmet meal that isn’t heavy on the pocket.

For almost three years now, Salt & Pepper has been making good food available to its loyal clients and a large chunk of office workers in the Makati area. However, the restaurant recently moved to a bigger and better location right beside the showroom of its sister company, Play & Display, along EDSA corner Rochester St. in Greenhills to accommodate more diners.

“Salt & Pepper is part of Play & Display’s diversification program. For years, we’ve been planning to put up a café in our showroom for our client’s convenience. While the ladies do their shopping, their husbands can relax and sip coffee while waiting,” explains Geena Llamanzares, general manager.

The concept isn’t really new. But Salt & Pepper received favorable reviews from call center employees and office workers, fed up with styro-packed lunches available at convenience stores and fast-food joints, when it formally opened in October 2005 at the ground floor of Security Land Bldg. in Ayala Avenue , Rufino St., Makati City.

“Nothing’s really changed in terms of the food and ambience. We are positive that we’ll be able to attract a loyal following in our new branch here in Greenhills,” Geena says.

The eye-catching red and black signage is easily spotted if you’re riding the MRT or passing along EDSA. From afar, Salt & Pepper could be mistaken for a furniture shop because the place is furnished with interesting pieces stylishly put together by Play & Display’s in-house interior design team.

To create the illusion of space, the café-style dining area is painted in stark white accented with a red and black wall décor. The interiors, on the other hand, reflect the owners’ fine taste in furniture — from the customized sofa to the leather chairs and dining tables down to the cutlery, porcelain and glassware items. There’s also a mini showroom inside the resto that features fab finds for the home.

“The furniture items and cutleries in the restaurant are available at Play & Display. Feel free to ask our wait staff if there’s something that catches your attention,” suggests Geena.

Right beside the al fresco dining area is the pizza station where diners can have a glimpse of how their favorite Italian treat is prepared and baked in an authentic Italian brick oven.

A bar at the center allows guests to enjoy a glass of wine over a plate of fritto formaggio.

Salt & Pepper offers a fusion of Western, Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Kick off a good meal with a plate of Romaine Caesar salad in garlic-anchovy dressing topped with crispy bacon bits, croutons and parmesan.

Pita munchers can satisfy their cravings for only P120 with babagnosh with pita (mashed eggplant with tahini and olive oil), the hummus with pita (mashed chickpeas with tahini and olive oil), and the ultimate hummus with beef and pita (P195) topped with lean ground beef.

Hummus is regular Middle Eastern fare. Some types of hummus have a strong lemon or garlic flavor while others have a spicy tone. Keep your taste buds in mind when ordering one.

At Salt & Pepper, you can ask the waiter to, say, scale down the amount of garlic or tahini if you don’t like the strong flavor.

“What’s interesting about Middle Eastern cooking is that the ingredients can be altered. Add a little of this or take a little of that and you’ll still have a culinary masterpiece,” enthuses Geena.

Add to the list of Mediterranean treats the juicy kebabs and flavorful shawarma. Don’t leave the resto without a fill of the lamb kofta. Mixed with special herbs and spices, the minced tender lamb meat that’s grilled to perfection is rolled up in freshly baked pita bread. Eat it with a drop of garlic and hot sauce for an added zing.

Served with rice pilaf, the chicken and beef herbed kebabs have unexpected layers of flavor (perhaps because of its secret marinade) and the way it’s grilled.

The rice meals, on the other hand, come in big servings complete with buttered veggies on the side.

A best-seller is the chicken souvlaki with tzatziki sauce (P220). This marinated chicken fillet Greek dish is made flavorful with yogurt and shredded cabbage dip (tzatsiki). The rice is cooked al dente — the grains moist enough, but still with some bite to them.

Lovers of Indian cuisine aren’t left out as Salt & Pepper dishes out an aromatic array of biryani made from a mixture of spices, rice (usually basmati), meat/vegetables and yogurt.

The spices and condiments used in biryani define its taste. These include the cloves, cardamon, cinnamon, wasabi, bay leaves, coriander and mint leaves, ginger, onions, garlic and yogurt.

“We use saffron for our biryani. Vegetarian diners can opt for the plain or shrimp biryani while meat eaters can feast on the chicken and beef varieties,” recommends Geena.

The chefs don’t scrimp on the ingredients. If a dish calls for extra virgin olive oil, saffron or the freshest seafood, they will prepare it as is.

“We don’t sacrifice the quality of our food. Celebrity mom Annabelle Rama is very vocal in saying that our Mediterranean dishes taste better than those served in one of the most expensive restaurants in Turkey,” boasts Geena.

For a sweet ending to a fine meal, choose from a yummy selection of cakes and pastries, which go well with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

At Salt & Pepper, brewing coffee is an art. The server brews the coffee right in front of the customer using a Royal Balancing Siphon Coffeemaker imported from Vienna, Austria. “No coffeemaker equals the balancing siphon in brewing the purest coffee,” boasts Geena.

The tiny gadget was first introduced in the late 1850s during a royal banquet hosted by Franz Josef, Emperor of Austria, and Empress Elizabeth in Schoenbrunn.

“At Salt & Pepper, we take our customers seriously,” she adds. “We make sure that every dish they savored in the resto will leave a mark on their taste buds.”

Don’t just take her word for it.

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Visit Salt & Pepper at No. 205 EDSA corner Rochester Sts., Greenhills, Mandaluyong City . For reservations call, 722-9975.