Taza De Oro Food Garden: Authentic Chinese Cuisine

Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Being a foodie, I always get it right when friends and relatives challenge me to match restaurant names with the cuisines they serve. However, it was a different story with Taza De Oro Food Garden located in Madison Square, Greenhills.
Taza De Oro

Although Taza De Oro sounds like a Spanish restaurant, this food joint actually serves authentic Chinese cuisine. Its restaurant space proves so too with its red and white color scheme, gold Chinese lanterns, big round tables, display of cold cuts and fish tank.

Hot and Sour Soup Small P160 Medium P300 Large P490

Together with fellow foodies, we first had a large serving of Hot and Sour Soup (P490) which is actually my most favorite soup item to order when dining in Chinese restaurants. Although this bowl didn't have as much heat as I'm used to, I definitely enjoyed the tang and hint of spice in every spoonful, not to mention the generous amount of mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu and pork shreds.

Salt and Pepper Squid Medium P260 Large P490

We then sampled a large order of the Salt and Pepper Squid (P490) which was tasty despite having only a few ingredients. Every bite from every piece was a joy, especially with the harmonious blend of its slightly crunchy breaded outside and tender squid meat inside. And with a drop or two of vinegar, this can become a simple yet irresistible treat!

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet Medium P280 Large P520

Our group also had a large Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (P520) of crisp-fried Lapu-Lapu. Although I generally don't enjoy sweet and sour sauce-drenched dishes, I found myself hooked on Taza De Oro's version. The fish fillets were cooked perfectly, and the sauce was not too overpowering as it had just the right blend of sweet and sour.

Golden Butter Chicken Medium P240 Large P460

I know we already had a nice start, but it kept getting better especially with this serving of Golden Butter Chicken (P460). Although I generally don't find anything extraordinary with most butter chicken, Taza De Oro's had me sold! Each piece of crispy chicken is fried to a golden brown but leaving the white meat tender and succulent. The sweet and salty butter flavor wasn't too overwhelming as well, making this treat a delight to eat.

Braised Patatim with 12pcs CuaPao P680

Next on the table is an order of Braised Patatim with 12 pcs. Cua Pao (P680). Although my mom prepares to-die-for braised patatim, Taza De Oro's was equally as good! The pork legs were very tender, and the sauce had just the right amount of sweetness and savor -- the perfect filling for the soft and moist cua pao.

Mixed Vegetable Fu Yong Medium P250 Large P480

For some veggies, we had the Mixed Vegetable Fu Yong (P480) which is an omelette dish filled shredded cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, onions and mushrooms, and drenched in a sweet and slightly salty sauce. Although I'm generally not big on vegetables, I'd take on a serving of this vegetable omelette dish anytime!

Sate Miki Guisado Small P150 Medium P280 Large P450

We also enjoyed a large serving of Sate Miki Guisado (P450) which is a fresh Indonesian-inspired take on one of the most famous Chinese noodle dishes. Unlike most pancit miki, Taza De Oro's was more savory and had a subtle hint of a peanut flavor.

Salted Fish Fried Rice Medium P210 Large P400

We also got to sample the Salted Fish Fried Rice (P400). Don't get me wrong, I still love my Yang Chow, but this fried rice dish was flavorful and had just the right amount of saltiness making every spoonful enjoyable. And although it can go well even with rich-tasting viands, I preferred to eat it separately as it's already an ensemble in its own.

Almond with Lychee Small P200 Medium P320 Large P450

For desserts, our group shared a large order of Almond with Lychee (P450) served with crushed ice and maraschino cherries. I was really glad that we ended the feast with one of my favorite Chinese treats. However, if I had to nitpick, I'd say the almond jelly cubes were rather milky than almond-y.

Thai Iced Tea with Black Gulaman P90

As for my choice of beverage, I had a Thai Iced Tea with Black Gulaman (P90) for the night. Although we were dining in a Chinese restaurant, I found their cha-yen quite authentic. It had the distinct Thai iced tea flavor, a strong taste of brewed black tea, and even a hint of coconut milk and spices. The black gulaman cubes were also a nice touch to give the drink an added herbal taste and texture.

THE VERDICT

Although I generally don't go gaga for Chinese restaurants, I found myself quite impressed with the wide selection and quality dishes at Taza De Oro Food Garden. Ambiance might be a wee bit generic, but with good food, large portions, friendly attendants and reasonable pricing, I think I'll be back for another round.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 3/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Taza De Oro Food Garden, Madison Square
G/F Madison Square, Madison St. cor. Ortigas Ave.
San Juan City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 721-0381 to 82
Official Website

42 comments:

  1. I used to love Chinese food until I realized how repetitive it can be. The items on Taza de Oro, however, inspire me to give Chinese food another try. All the dishes look unique and most of them, I haven't tried yet. You've convinced me that this is indeed teh real thing. :D

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    1. I actually have Chinese food fatigue 'cause our family usually go to Chinese restos when eating out, but Taza De Oro has innovative dishes worthy to try.. :)

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  2. I love the way you write your reviews. Very detailed and well-written. You always take nice photos too! I'm not a fan of Chinese food, but these meals surely look enticing and mouth-watering! ;)

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  3. Your photos are amazing as usual, Sumi!
    The way you shoot makes the food look even more enticing!

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  4. Yummyyyy!! I love the photos! Now, I'm craving for some Thai tea.

    Rizza (beingwell)

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  5. the mixed vegetable fu yong is calling me! :D

    http://iam-kbc.blogspot.com

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  6. I'll definitely try this especially if they have hakaw on their menu. :)

    Btw, nice blog layout. :)

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  7. Agreeing with Mich! :) All of your posts and their photos make your readers so eager to try the food. I love Chinese food.. So eager to try this too!

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  8. I honestly wanna try the almond with lychee..

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  9. I like eveything 'cause we usually order similar to that but hey the Mixed Vegetable Fu Yong looks weird haven't tried pa and the guisado looks like a worm. haha xiao xiao

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  10. I'm not much into Chinese food but with the pictures and description in your blog, I am now tempted to try it... Oh well, I might as well try it.

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  11. i initially thought of it as a spanish restaurant but surprised to learn its a chinese resto. i never thought there's this great chinese resto in greenhills and wow! they had me at their pata tim and sweet and sour lapu lapu!! i love chinese food and im salivating :D

    Rovie
    MARIS and FIRMOO giveaway on The Bargain Doll!

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    1. I actually thought this was a Spanish restaurant too, until I arrived at the place and saw the restaurant itself, plus the "Authentic Chinese Cuisine" signage.. :D

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  12. It is a bit pricey bit if its big serving, I guess that's gonna do. And their food looks yummy! Thanks for the info on this place. Will definitely try it =)

    http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/

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    1. Taza De Oro actually has small (around P200) and medium (around P300) servings for most of their food items.. :) Everything we had was large, and it can feed about 10-12 people.

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  13. Nice pictures as usual!! Makes me hungry even if it's 12 midnight! your fault! Hehe.. Great review sis! Hope to visit this place soon.. ;)

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  14. Oh yes, the place is very Chinese...
    I miss having almond and lychee, Chowking used to have, I don't know why they don't have it now. And I'd prefer Maki over Miki.

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  15. omg lychee is my favorite fruit! taza de oro got a pretty good score from you. i think that's a good place to try :)

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  16. Seeing this makes me drool and can't help but salivate hahaha! aside from the sumptuous food offers,how you present it with amazing capture of photos is what makes it more interesting. Well done!

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  17. Not really a big fan of Chinese cuisine but these look so delicious.

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  18. Everything looks delicious! If I were to choose one chinese restaurant, I would have to fly back to the Philippines and just randomly pick one. Nothing really compares to the taste of chinese dish in the Philippines..at least in my own opinion. How was the thai tea drink? Is it about the same taste as Chowking's Nai Cha drink? Miss ko na yun! Gagawa na lang ako ng imbento para lang makainom ng ganun. heheh!

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    1. Most Chinese restos in the country nga are good! :D Anyway, the Thai Iced Tea can compare to those I've tried from Thai restos! ;) It's quite different from Chowking's. I believe the latter's more of a Hong Kong style milk tea?

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  19. i wanna try all the halal foods they serve!!!!
    man, this makes me hungry.

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  20. I love Hot and Sour soup! It looks really yummy on your post. But I find Taza de Oro a bit pricey for me. Although everything looks delicious. I'd buy Campbell's Hot & Sour soup in can na lang than go to expensive resto such as this. Unless I have money to spend, perhaps I'd love to visit this place someday.

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    1. Portions at Taza De Oro are REALLY big though, so it's money well-spent.. :) Prices here seem to be quite expensive, but that's because we had everything large.. They have per cup, small and medium servings too.. ;)

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  21. Oh my gosh, everything looks so good!
    I usually eat chinese food here, but it seems like you guys have really different ones over there. WOW! I would really love to try it one day. Cravingssssss..

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  22. i would like to sample the pata tim, it has been ages since i tasted some. it sure sounds spanish, though, so it will really be such a delicious surprise to be served hot + delectable chinese dishes instead. i hope i get to try this resto soon! :)

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  23. I find this a little pricey for Chinese food, but will definitely try this! :)

    http://www.dekaphobe.com/

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  24. The Thai Iced Tea with black gulaman looks very inviting. Actually all the food looks inviting.

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  25. I would never have guessed it was a Chinese restaurant from its name. :P Anyhow, fantastic post!

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  26. I love Chinese foods, especially Hot & Spicy soup! :) Yummm

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  27. Kinda pricey but I'm sure it tastes good! :))

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  28. I've only tried their shabu-shabu and grill, I guess I should try their short orders too... looks good!

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  29. A restaurant with Spanish name but the interior is Chinese. Funny yet interesting.

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  30. Of all those food, I love miki guisado. :) I love Chinese noodles kase.

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  31. that's a lot of mouth watering foods and the place looks nice

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  32. If you did not specify it I will thought that Tazade Oro is spanish cuisine. Have to try it 1 day when passing by Greenhills

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  33. ang sarap ng food at maganda yung place

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