La Regalade redux

The new menu of La Regalade is finally here! Luis de Terry is now at the helm of the popular French restaurant, which opened in August of 2008. This is the Philippine branch of the Vancouver-based La Regalade owned by Alain Rayé, who opened the original restaurant in Canada in 2001 after moving there from France. Raye earned his first two Michelin stars at the two restaurants he previously owned in France. He continues to be a consultant at the Philippine branch and Luis now has taken over the kitchen. Our group recently dropped by at the restaurant to try the new menu.

Bubot Quicho, a former hotelier who was named general manager of Hyatt Regency Manila in 1984, the first Filipino to attain a GM position in a five-star worldwide chain, frequented La Regalade in Vancouver and decided to put up one in Manila.

Bubot is one of the partners along with Alain Rayé, Peter Garrucho, Washington Sycip, Louis Heussaff, Ina Dominguez, Binky Herrera and Tonyboy Cojuangco.

The restaurant is indeed a fun place to get together and savor the great new dishes La Regalade has to offer. Check out the photos I took and let’s see if you don’t drool! The escargots actually come in the traditional a la Bourguignon; the dish has another version called harissa. I thoroughly enjoyed my Entrecote Regalade but it really ought to be shared because it’s half a kilo of premium USDA Angus rib eye with a large portion of potato wedges! One can opt for the smaller eight-ounce bistro’s steak with shallots and wilted arugula as well. The half-roasted spring chicken was a hit as well since it was actually cooked in duck lard before browning it in an oven. French classics like sole meuniere, beef Bourguignon, steak tartare, and duck confit are all in the new menu as well.

The restaurant can seat 82 and has a bar that is open until late at night. As the photos show, our group had fun eating and catching up in the comfy atmosphere of this cozy restaurant.

La Regalade is located at 820 Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road), Makati City. Call (632) 750-2104 to 05 for reservations. Check out www.laregalade.com for both the Vancouver and Manila branches.