ilustrado restaurant

i have high expectations for this place because of a recommendation from a friend. the serving is scrumptious. i like their bagnet kare-kare but the rellenong bangus not so much. ambiance is very nostalgic of the early century spanish era.

great ambience that really shows the spanish flare of the restaurant. bangus belly and bagnet were superb. service was quick and we enjoyed a nice lunch.

place is really cozy and the food was so good. the paella illustardo and lengua are a must try. will definitely go back and try the other items.

everyone's polite and really accomodating. food was good as well. the ambiance made my heart melt. plus the band singing besame mucho and some of my mom&dad's favorite songs is really perfect to end our sunday night. ❤️ happy to spend mother's day in this place! thank you everyone! #muchodineroforanight

nice ambiance, polite staff, good food, clean place and follows safety protocols..

worth your time.

good quality food, ambiance is nice. great place for a date.

bagnet adobo is a must try! their spanish dishes like callos, bacalao, and lengua are also good but you can try better versions somewhere else.

visited march 11, 2020.

ambience

i love the ambience of this restaurant. the wall paintings, the tables and chairs as well as the garden area. lucky to visit on a non crowded day so i got to enjoy the area more.

food

we ordered

bagnet sinigang: i love the sourness of the sinigang. it is so right for me. i just wish there is more soup in the serving.

kare kare: the dish is so so. i have tasted kare kare in other restaus with more wow taste.

ilustrado paella: the serving is big and the taste is good. but there are other paellas with taste as good but cheaper. but this is a heritage restaurant so it’s understandable i think.

tokwat baboy: zomato recommends to try their tolwat baboy. the way the pork and the tofu was cooked is good. for the sauce, i think there’s a lot to improve.

overall judgement

i’ll give this restau a 4 star. attentive staffs, the singing trio is cute lol. the food is good but there’s a lot to improve

food was good and staff were very accommodating. 👌🏼 hassle free in using zomato gold. :)

i was hyped to try his historic institution within the walled city so we reserved a table for vday. however, i was a bit underwhelmed by the food. not that, it wasn't good but for me, taste was just okay. the paella we ordered was good at best but i have to say that there are more authentic versions around the metro at the same price point. morcon and callos were also underachievers for me. morcon was a bit dry and tough and the sweet sauce reminded me of banana ketchup. callos lacked flavor and it didn't help that servings were small for the price. the only saving grace was the eggplant appetizer which at 450 is acceptable. the service was excellent but the food was a bit overrated in my opinion.

beautiful ambiance. felt like home. everyone was so friendly from the guards to the trio musicians. steak, delicious, was perfectly cooked. paella is amazingly mind blowing. oysters are delicious, although baked i can still taste the ocean which is good. sampaguita ice cream is perfect as dessert/palate cleanser. i have to go back 💓

food tasted cheap :/ a bit shocked coz this is not how i remember ilustrado food. :(

the ilustrado is a fine dining filipino restaurant that gives off the spanish classic ambiance. what can i say besides the good food, peaceful environment and worth the price? the service. (i’m not your lady at the counter of a fast food place who shouts because of her order got wrong, i’m usually the one who defends the service crew.) but it’ll take more than a couple of times just to get what you need/ask of. tends to ignore you at some point, i feel like they just nod at you but doesn’t really listen. disappointing at some point but overall, ‘twas good.

edit: their pasta are not available till 3pm. i don’t know why but it’s sad specially for a pasta lover myself.

good: paella, the singing trio
bad: when using zomato gold, a no takeout policy applies. the restaurant would rather throw leftover food away than let people take it home.

ever wonder how does sampaguita (or jasmine) taste like? or want to have a feel of dining in an old house during the spanish era? this place will make feel like going back centuries ago. the ambiance is great, as well as the food. the staffs are very attentive and helpful. just don't get fooled by their "good for n people", as it's way bigger than that!

we decided to try ilustrado on a weekday lunch. when we entered their parking space, i made a wrong turn and backed out just in time an suv was leaving. luck was on our side, we both thought. as soon as we went down the car, the guard said that we cannot park there that a car was already waiting to park in that spot. i didn't feel like arguing and moved the car and left it blocking the other parked vehicles. the guard was apologetic, and said he would call us when a parking space open up. i just said it was ok and to call me.

we were seated in the main salon. the ambience very fancy all dark wood and sturdy tables and comfy chairs. it was like being in a rich men's clubhouse or library ready to drink a glass of port, cigars on hand, talking race horses or boxing or whatever. very ilustrado.

anyways, we were handed our menu and as we perused it, the waiter served water. we ordered callos madrilena and morcon plaridel, which came with white sticky rice. i loved the morcon, the tenderness and flavors of the meat with stuffing and the red sauce was perfect. the callos was quite good as well, slightly milder in taste. the serving size for both were for two, or one for maybe one hungry dude.

we heard and saw in the next table an order of sampaguita ice cream. we were intrigued and ordered one to share. our first taste was like eating a real sampaguita flower. it was strong. but as we scooped spoonfuls more, the milk and sugar emerges and the play of flavors were just right. we liked it.

ohh and going back to the parking. the lady host advised us, while we were eating the bread and butter and liverspread appetizer, that there was a parking space available. i excused myself and attended to parking the car. the guard was still apologetic. but i just said it was ok and thanked him.

the staff were all professional and well trained. price, as expected. i wouldn't mind coming back to try more of their foodfare, just not often or i would end up broke. there is a patio room that had the feels of a more casual dining. maybe for next time around.