July 27, 2016 | 3.8 Overall Rating…read more
FOOD 3.0
We ordered 3 items for dinner and it's fair enough to be able to get a glimpse of the restaurant's culinary capabilities. The biggest complaint would be serving temperature of the food, which is very low and would have us believe our food has been sitting there for over an hour. I would like to say it was cold, but that would be over-exaggerating the issue.
For our starch we decided on having their rice bowls (PROMO: Includes a glass of iced tea and a cup of soup for only 159 PHP - Valid Until July 31, 2016) for some added fun.
Reyjohn had the TONKATSU BICOL EXPRESS - deep-fried pork breaded to a medium thickness, chopped into strips and served with a few strands of string beans. The special sauce on the side pushes the otherwise bland bowl of pork and beans into something worth coming back for. The level of spiciness can be set according to preference, Reyjohn had his set to medium spiciness, which was barely noticeable, but it enable us to appreciate the smooth coconut based sauce further. YELLOW CHICKEN ADOBO AIOLI - A bowl of disappointment, the perfectly grilled tender chicken was wasted by the absence of flavour. Oddly my bowl doesn't even have sauce in the mix or on the side. My favourite Adobo rice bowl can be found at Recovery Food - Amadobo.
For our main show we opted for a Chef's Recommendation: The CHOCOLATE BINAGOONGAN (370+ PHP) described as a treat for your taste buds with grilled pork tossed in bagoong from Pangasinan and dark chocolate mole from Batangas, served on the side. A satisfying dish flavour-wise, but it failed to define it properly with the pork pieces comprising of 2/3 fat and again the temperature too cool despite the pan being quite hot. Absorbing the heat of the metal pan would be the scrambled eggs at the bottom. The push of saltiness from the bagoong is neutralised by the chocolate mole, and both pair well with the egg. A could have been better dish.
AMBIANCE 4.5
Interior materials, lighting and table spacing are our the first things we check when entering a restaurant. A tastefully designed place with colourful murals framed with red bricks and dark wood accents, leaving no wall undecorated. We're are very impressed with the overall feel of the layout, on the left-side corner is a Sari-Sari store selling various goods and a very large TV on the left wall broadcasting the Food Network. The right-side of the store is the bulk of the tables are located with ample spacing in between them. In the center is the semi-open kitchen that affords dinners a view of the action. Overall a well balanced setup that's more than just a dining hall.
The Restrooms on the Men's side - is adequate in size, interior consistent with the rest of the restaurant, and the faucet bearing a rustic theme (garden house faucet), which thankfully works smoothly. Our only complaint being the lack of hand towels, hand dryers simply don't do.
SERVICE 4.0 (+5% Service Charge)
Another commendable aspect of our experience has to be the sincere service, that welcomed us without hesitation. They initially directed us to a 2-seater table, but upon realising our bag, they quickly offered the adjacent 4-seater table. The smallest of details really make a difference, kudos to the waiter and waitress who attended to our needs before we even needed to mention it.
What's holding them back from a 5? The serving order, unless the order was posted separately, then it should be served together. Reyjohn's ordered arrived 5 minutes earlier than mine, leaving me empty, but he took a longer then necessary photo to fill-in the time. It's a minor mishap, with kitchen being the cause rather than the waiters, but then again, service includes all personnel involved in the restaurant's operations.
Lastly, the vibe of a good working environment is always a nice sight, suitable for the casual ambiance of this establishment. The waiters are more than happy to serve you with a smile.
OVERALL 3.8
7107 surely has something great in mind, but as of now, they still working out the bumps in the formula. Our overall rating tries to balance their potential and reality. Give them a try and you might have a better experience.