I was invited to an exclusive lunch at The Suite Room last month. I've heard of this place somewhere before but the only clue I had about it was that it was by Casa Verde. I never really found out if it was already operational or where the location was. So, I was very excited about this invite as though I were unraveling a mystery. It's going to be a long post but it's worth the read, I promise!
The Suite Room is located at the Ramos branch (the pioneer branch) of the famous home-grown Casa Verde. It's a separate extension, just a little room that could comfortably accommodate 12 people. Apparently, it had already been open for service since Sinulog (which is in January); but that day, we had the first dibs on the new menu.
[photos above from The Suite Room]
As soon as you open the door, you instantly find yourself in a hotel suite-furnished room. It was lavish and classy, and perfect for intimate meals. It had all the works -- plush upholstery, classy wooden tables, a faux fireplace with a huge flat screen TV above it, a dresser with a gorgeous mirror, and even a headboard of a bed at the wall behind the upholstered counter to top off the suite room effect -- and everything was custom-made.
This concept was inspired from the owner's travels. The setting might immediately give the impression of a pricey menu but Casa Verde stands by its principle of giving AFFORDABLE quality; so, expect the menu to be reasonably priced. Personal service is provided and food is served in fine dining fashion but guests are not required a strict dress code. They make sure to let you sit back, relax, and enjoy the comforts of a simulated check-in to a suite room.
We were welcomed with -- to our delight -- hotel bedroom slippers. Geared up with our slippers, we then embarked on a 7-course gastronomic expedition of their new menu.
FIRST COURSESalads
Mixed Green Salad w/ candied walnuts and strawberry vinaigrette
Caesar's Salad
Thai Prawn Fresh Spring Rolls
I tend to favor Asian flavors more than any other cuisine but all the salads were excellent. I could taste the anchovies in the Caesar dressing and I loved that the greens were delicately coated and not drenched.
The Mixed Green Salad is perfect if you want a light salad. I loved the candied walnuts and the tart strawberry dressing added just the right acidity.
The Thai Prawn Fresh Spring Roll was generously filled with vermicelli, carrots, turnip, cilantro, and a tender, sweet prawn.
SECOND COURSE
Prawn and Beef Noodle Soup
Cream of Mushroom
Pumpkin Soup
I had the Prawn and Beef Noodle Soup first (Asian, told ya). It had a siding of pickled cucumbers and carrots which you MUST add to the soup. It was the most interesting one, bursting with flavors -- sweet, salty, and sour -- playfully teasing the palate all the while in perfect harmony. The cream soups were also smooth and fine.
THIRD COURSEAppetizers
Meatballs in Stewed Tomato Sauce served w/ bread
Cajun Style Skewered Shrimps
Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings Asian Style
These were the best meatballs I've ever had. They were juicy and cooked just right -- not underdone and not overdone. The Cajun style shrimps on the other hand were also tender and sweet. The chicken wings were well... chicken wings. I'm not a fan of pineapples in savory dishes.
FOURTH COURSESandwiches
Chicken Salad Sandwich
You know what this is ;)
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Since The Suite Room is open all day, you can snug up in a corner with their sandwiches or tacos if you want some peace and quiet. I wished they served healthier sandwiches though.
(belly about to burst at this point and expecting main course is next but then...)
FIFTH COURSEPasta
Spaghetti and Sausage in Tomato Sauce
Spinach & Ricotta Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce
Bacon and Mushroom in Pesto Cream Sauce
Shrimp Fettuccine in Alfredo Sauce
You can hate me for this, but you really can't bring me to finish a whole plate of carbonara. I'm just not the cream sauce type; but I don't mind having cream-based sauces as long as they're not purely cream -- such as, pesto cream! So, my pick among the pasta we tasted was the Bacon and Mushroom in Pesto Cream. I love ravioli but somehow, theirs didn't feel right. It was a bit too hard for me. I like the kind that slips in the mouth and bursts open with a smooth, rich spinach and ricotta filling.
And finally...
SIXTH COURSEMain Course
Pan Fried Salmon in Citrus Butter Sauce with Mushroom Risotto
Australian Beef Striploin Steak
Australian Beef Rib Eye Steak
Fresh Corned Beef w/ Horseradish Sauce
1/2 Citrus Herb Roasted Chicken
Skewered Surf and Turf with Cajun Butter
Pork Kalbi
Baked Cream Dory
Oh boy, the main course was like a spectacular firework one after the other. The steaks were impressive and on the lighter side, my fave is the salmon with risotto... I'm at a loss for words.
(surpassed glutton level right here... but my favorite course is just too good to pass up on!)
SEVENTH HEAVEN COURSEDessert
Frozen Caramel Macchiato
Green Tea Ice Cake
RAINBOW CAKE!!!
*photos by Mustachio (thanks so much for the awesome photos!)Finally, surviving that huge wave of courses, the last men standing were just me and Mustachio. I initially didn't know how to feel about dessert anymore whether it was punishment or reward. When the cakes arrived, I transformed into a masochist more than happy to meet punishment. The Suite Room's Frozen Caramel Macchiatto and Green Tea Ice Cake were absolutely perfect. And the plain white frosted cake I noticed in the chiller was actually a RAINBOW CAKE! That cake I used to see in Instagram photos from Manila or elsewhere. Oh joy! Definitely felt like sliding down a rainbow into a pot of gold.
It's seriously been a while since I've had a meal as great as that. Though the meal was a long one, it was a smooth ride. Servings were hearty, plating was beautiful and most importantly, they all tasted as good as they looked. Best of all, the most expensive dish on the menu is only P450 and that's already a steak!
If you order a la carte, the servings are mostly big; but if you feel like splurging on a meal, you can get their set menu which consists of soup, salad, entree and dessert for only P500. You can also rent out the whole room for just P5,000 consumable for 3 hours. This is definitely one of the coziest places in town.
Reminder: Reservation is highly recommended.
The Suite Room
69 Lim Tian Teng St. Ramos, Cebu City
Contact: (032) 254 0508
[email protected]
Operating Hours: 11 am - 10 pm DAILY
"To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D"
oink oink, Babe for Food- your BFF in Cebu dining
