Ma Maison: Japanese-Western Cuisine in Greenbelt 2

If you've been a reader for quite a while, you'd already know how much I love Japanese food fare. Whether it be traditional, modern or even foreign-influenced, Japanese cuisine has a distinct taste that never fails to tickle my taste buds. And with my hearty appetite on tow, I tried a Japanese-Western gem in Greenbelt 2, Ma Maison.
Ma Maison Greenbelt Ma Maison Sake and Wines

Brought by The Bistro Group, Ma Maison which was founded in Nagoya, Japan back in 1976, is a restaurant specializing in Yoshoku or Japan-ized western dishes. With a distinctly European-sounding name, Ma Maison literally translates to “my home” in French. And staying true to its homey promise, its dining space has a cozy and laid-back atmosphere, dim ambient lighting and country kitschy charm.

Ma Maison Food Display

I've eaten in a few Japanese-Western restaurants already, but Ma Maison definitely made me more excited with its plastic food display featuring some of my favorite Yoshoku food fare -- omu-rice, Napolitan spaghetti, tonkatsu and kani cream croquette.

The Meal Starters

I'm not so sure if Ms. Mitzi of The Bistro Group is a telepath, but it definitely made me giddy when I saw the selection of appetizers and salad they brought out for the tasting.

Camembert Cheese Fritters P385

We first had a plate of Camembert Cheese Fritters (P385), deep-fried beer-battered slices of strong-flavored Camembert cheese served with honey vinaigrette. Being a cheese lover, this appetizer made me one happy gal especially with its harmonious blend of sweet and tangy, and crispy and gooey.

Deep-Fried Chicken Wings P245

We then sampled an order of Japanese-Style Deep-Fried Chicken Wings (P245) also served with a honey vinaigrette. And with tons of chicken wing joints sprouting around the Metro, I can definitely say that Ma Maison's is one of the best I've had -- sweet, savory and oh-so-succulent tender chicken meat with super crispy skin.

Escargot Baked with Garlic Butter P385

Some may not be fond of snails, but the Escargot Baked with Garlic Butter (P385) is definitely a fancy treat. Servers bring out this luxurious French hors d'oeuvre followed by a lighting ceremony. And while putting the metal plate on fire is only for the show, it made me more excited to eat this savory appetizer. A tip though, dip the snail meat into the butter sauce to make it even more flavorful.

Chasoba Salad P425

After a very European start, we then tried the Chasoba Salad (P425), a house specialty with cold green tea soba, egg, ham, tomatoes and cucumber with Japanese mayonnaise and sesame dressing. This very light and neutral-tasting salad is quite refreshing, but a little tiring on the taste buds. I guess I'm still not used to eating it without tsuyu.

The Main Entrées

Although we've already had really delectable appetizers, we haven't fully started our dinner yet. So after whetting our appetites, we then moved on to the main course.

Curry Udon P325

To start off, we had a serving of piping hot Curry Udon (P325) -- an ensemble of thick wheat-flour noodle, bean curd, leeks and fish cakes swimming in a hearty and slightly spicy curry soup, and served in a cast iron bowl. And although I'm not too fond of noodle dishes, this is one of my favorites for the night.

Kani Cream Croquette P375

We also had a serving of Kani Cream Croquette (P375), deep-fried breadcrumbed rolls of crab meat and potatoes drenched in Japanese mayonnaise and served with potato salad and shredded cabbage on the side. You may think this is just a simple dish, but it's crispy on the outside and smooth, creamy and very flavorful on the inside.

Scotch Egg P375 Tonkatsu P375

We also got to try the Scotch Egg (P375), a plateful of hard-boiled eggs wrapped with minced beef and pork sitting atop a bed of special miso-based brown sauce. Although I love hard-boiled eggs in general, I didn't go gaga for this one. However, it was another story for the Tonkatsu (P375) -- Wafu-style crispy breaded pork loin cutlet that goes beautiful with salt and mustard.

Omu-Rice P255

For some carbs, we had a serving of Omu-Rice (P255) -- ketchup rice enclosed in a fluffy omelette served with beautiful peacock-designed brown sauce on the side. I know omu-rice is such an easy-to-do Japanese-Western dish, but this one is still a staple whenever I go to Euro-Japanese restaurants.

Hamburg Steak P375

Another one of my favorites when in a Yoshoku restaurant is Hamburg Steak (P375) -- a patty of minced beef and pork, topped with a beautiful sunny side up egg, and finished off with a sweet and savory brown sauce. This Euro-Japanese dish is definitely one succulent meaty treat that I'll never get tired of eating.

The Desserts

Ma Maison only has five dessert items on its menu, but it's definitely quality over quantity as all five are very unique and can't easily be found in other restaurants.

Frozen Green Tea Brazo de Marcedez P325

We first tried the Frozen Green Tea Brazo de Marcedez (P325), a 4-layered dessert of egg meringue, green tea ice cream, custard cream and graham crust. Seriously, this is one of the best desserts I've had in my entire life! There was a nice balance of sweet and distinctive green tea flavors, as well as a great combination of fluffy and crumbly textures.

White Chocolate Mixed White Tart P195

We also sampled the White Chocolate Mixed White Tart (P195), a dessert of sweet pastry crust layered with white chocolate cream and topped with slices of orange, kiwi and grapes. Although I generally like tarts, this one was too sweet for me. The white chocolate cream was quite overwhelming that even the citrus flavors of the fruits weren't able to balance the sweetness out.

The Drinks

Dinner this bounty can never go on without a refreshing drink on the side. So while enjoying our Japanese-Western feast, we also got to try Ma Maison's specialty drinks.

Green Tea Citrus P125 Aloe Vera Apple P125

The Green Tea Citrus (P125) which was my choice of beverage for the night, is a light, slightly tangy and clean-tasting drink perfect to cool down or to help cleanse away strong flavors. The Aloe Vera Apple (P125) on the other hand, has a more subtle flavor than the first drink. It tasted strongly of apple juice with small aloe vera bits.

THE VERDICT

Being part of The Bistro Group, it was already expected that food items were on the pricier side. However, like other chains under the same group, the quality of food was excellent. Every dish we had at Ma Maison was how I imagined Japanese-Western food is done in Japan. Actually, what I had for that night even exceeded my expectations.

With a wide selection of superb quality dishes, a set of courteous and friendly staff, and a very cozy and charming space, I'm looking forward to pay Ma Maison, my Japanese-Western home, another visit soon.

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Ma Maison, Greenbelt 2
G/F Greenbelt 2, Esperanza St.,
Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 729-9122
Facebook Page

57 comments:

  1. Wow! Everything looks so scrumptious! I just think that the price is a bit too expensive for my taste. Perhaps my hubby and I should try this when there's a special occasion. Thanks for sharing. ;)

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    1. I'll actually be visiting Ma Maison again when there's a special occasion. It makes a trip to the resto more special! ;)

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  2. The food looks great and the pictures were well taken. Having had a Japanese step dad, that incidentally is a chef, I was blessed to have tried some of the best Jap food at home, which is why I have a soft spot for Japanese food.

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    1. Wow, I wish I can also enjoy great Japanese food at home. That would make me super happy! :D

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  3. I've never tried snails before but it's one food item that I definitely want to try. I like shellfish and I assume snails are sort of like that too :D I love the presentation of the dishes especially that beautiful plate of omu rice. The presentation made the simple meal extra special. I also want to try the Curry Udon. It seems to be a dish that's right up my palate :D

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    1. We also have our local dishes with snails! Try the Ginataang Suso, it's really yummy too. And yes, the food presentation at Ma Maison is really something. Oh, and do try the Curry Udon when you get the chance. It's perfect for chilly or rainy days ;)

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  4. Your photos were all great, makes me wanna try them all! Their tonkatsu looks so tender..

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  5. Hi Sumi, as usual your photos had me so convinced. I want to try this place but it is a bit pricey so I better save up for me to try this one out. Thanks for the great insight! =)

    http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/

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  6. I;m hungry now with all those food. i used to eat escargot when I was a child. back in my lola's province we used to go the swamp to get some escargot and swamp cabbage (kangkong)

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  7. Gusto ko yung Escargot Baked with Garlic Butter!Kaya lang ang mahal yata. Yun na ba yun 6 pieces lang?

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  8. Parang yabu na tokyo cafe.... Parang ang sarap ng hamburger stake.. yummm

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  9. everything looks so good! and expensive, i guess :D but i really want to try them :) thanks for the post!

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  10. everything looks so delish!! lalo na yung frozen green tea brazo :D

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  11. I love Japanese food too! The scotch egg looks delightful! I will make sure to visit this place when we come to Manila!

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  12. The place looks pretty exquisite,, and the food as well.

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  13. Sumi, you should get a Bistro Card so that you get a discount at any Bistro Group Restaurant! :)

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  14. oh my.. inggit ako!! i love everything!! from appetizers to desserts! :)

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  15. Though I have an aversion to Bistro Group, I think I have to try this! ;D

    http://www.dekaphobe.com/

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  16. wow!!! cool place sis Sumi!!! :D ang ganda talaga! parang somewhere out there! hehehe :D gusto kong sumama mag food trip sayo someday.. hihihihihi :D

    http://bebe-doll.net

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  17. Wow Sumi! Your photos are getting better and better! <3 I loooove this! I'm very intrigued by the Omu Rice; I mean it looks so nice and appetizing. Haha! Would love to visit this place soon.

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  18. wow! as in wow!...as always..your blog makes me drool!
    hehehe...
    at yung snail..exotic! as in snail talaga?..cultured siguro siempre...
    nice Sumi...
    deliciouso!

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  19. always pass through this resto in greenbelt but scared to try it since I dont know what they offer.. thanks for this review I'll try thiss one soon =)

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  20. i havent tried that Green Tea Brazo de Marcedez omg omg omg i wanna go there now!

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  21. Oh my, just looking at your photos made me hungry. Cool review! I'll sure try Ma Maison when I get back to the Philippines. My wife loves japanese (she worked in japan before).
    Excellent photography!

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  22. I always wanted to eat in a Japanese Western Restaurant. :) Grabe! Mukhang ang sasarap nilang lahat. I wanna try them all! ♥

    http://spoonfulofstories.blogspot.com/

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  23. The food looks great and delish! I really love Japanese foods.
    would love to visit this soon. Nice pictures! (:

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  24. the photos are so great, everything looks so delish!! another great post from sumi!

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  25. Wow, the pictures look so delish. I somewhat love Japanese food as well but I still stick to pinoy foods. Hehehe just dropping by!

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  26. wow! aside from the good food the ambiance is perfect too! would love to try this place too soon.

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  27. ohmy! Sumi my fiance and i are just looking at this and we got hungry the moment we saw the croquette haha :D keep on starving us!


    Rovie,

    RK Manila Shoes , OASAP and FIRMOO giveaways on The Bargain Doll! Hope you can join! :)


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  28. yay I love Japanese food too! I'll try this one... Thanks!

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  29. The food looks delicious. The prices doesn't look so expensive either. Not bad for a resto at greenbelt 5 ;)

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  30. The bistro group has an excellent range of food choices now.

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  31. Japanese and Western cuisine in one place.
    I love snails (just the small ones) in coconut milk.

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  32. those foods looks yummy! i must try this :)

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  33. Omigosh you ate a lot! Hahaha! I'm so envious. It was too pricey that we can only afford a few dishes because those are the only food we can finish anyway. I've tried also tried the green tea Brazo which, I agree, is to die for!

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  34. Your photographs are very good, it makes everything look delicious.

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  35. I want to try the Omu rice. looks interesting. I hope I remeber all the resto you feature here in your blog and try them when i get back there.

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  36. WHAAAATTT??? a snail??? aw comeon!! that's just plain and utter gross! Escargot they call it ei...well we have snails in our garden, so if i cook them will people eat it? i'm pretty dang sure they won't!

    Next thing you know restaurants will be serving roaches and other gross insects under the guise of "status symbol" like one restaurant in Europe that I know of which serve nothin' but insects. Yep that's right NOTHIN' BUT INSECTS, and heck it charges extra ordinary sky rocketing price that's why only rich folks are willing to waste their money there...yah..mindless..rich folks..pfft..

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  37. Woooooooowwwwwwwwwww! You got me very interested on this one. Not sure of the price points though, as it really is quite expensive which limits our options as to the number of dishes we could try at one go. But I'll definitely try to visit this place. thanks! :)

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  38. Escargot! yummy!

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  39. fantastic, you got me drooling.. yummy, yummy and more yummy.. if only we have it here though.. just wishing, it might happend one day, you never know.. best and a lots of luck!!:)

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  40. Amazing blog, amazing pictures! Good job Sumi! Hope to bond with you soon! :)

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  41. What kind of camera do you use? you took nice photo of the foods.

    The foods are presented well, but the price is quite expensive.

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  42. I also love Japanese foods. Hmm I think I would like to taste their Kani Cream Croquette.

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  43. wow! Your pictures captured the beauty of the food~ They look delicious!

    Maybe because I love Japanese culture, I'm drawn to Japanese food as well. I'd love to try the Chasoba salad & Curry Udon. They seem to have a character that I've never tried before.

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  44. Lots of good resto in Greenbelt! Haven't tried this one though.

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  45. Eeek, may snail! But the Omu-Rice looks so yummy! I just ate pero natatakam na naman ako.

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  46. Another Japanese resto...
    Another set of delicious delicacies...
    Haaaay! Ang dami talagang dapat puntahan
    at subukan... but so little bucks on the pocket.

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  47. nakakagutom naman :) it's been years since I had escargot (barrio fiesta days)...i thought nawala na ang snails sa food scene :)

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  48. Aesthetically japanese! Very lovely ng presentation and the green tea brazo de mercedez got me at hello!

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  49. This place looks so good! I want to try! I especially love camembert cheese!

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  50. Wow! Frozen Green Tea Brazo!!! I will go there for that :)

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  51. Great photos and review! Will definitely try this soon! I'm pretty excited to taste the Green tea ice cream brazo! :)

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  52. Great shots, you have an eye for a creative photography and your photos captured the beauty of the food. nakakagutom tingnan! yummy!

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