I read about Half Saints here in Quezon City, but we never had the chance to go. This Easter, we finally got lucky. Not only did we go there for our Easter lunch, but we also celebrated my food blog’s 9th birthday!
Before we went there, I called to inquire if reservations were required. They were fully booked, but they asked if it was alright with me that we’ll get seated in the Bake Studio area. We’re not picky, just hungry, so I said yes. Less than half-hour later, I got a call that a table was available in the main dining area, but for 2 PM. Again, we were fine with that.
We arrived there at exactly 2 PM and got seated immediately.
By then, we were starving and ended up ordering far too much food for two.
Here’s what we ate from Half Saints:
* Chicharron Teriyaki – It’s a thinly sliced fried pork belly with a teriyaki glaze and served with whipped cream cheese and nori sheets. You get a piece of nori, slather some cream cheese on it, and top it with a piece or two of bagnet. Then you fold it and eat it in one bite.
* Ratatouille Puff Pizza – It’s flaky and crumbly puff pizza topped with tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, house-made marinara and pesto.
* Arroz con Pollo – It’s chicken with rice cooked in sofrito, coconut cream, chili and cilantro. I love the slight kick brought on by the chili – subtle but definitely there.
* Baked Salmon Bento – It’s soy and sake marinated salmon, sweet soy and mirin red rice, miso soup and French beans. It’s pretty similar to the salmon we make at home, but with miso soup added.
* Merci Buko French Cream Puff – It’s first-pressed coconut cream custard between layers of young coconut meat in an oversized choux au craquelin garnished with chunks of roasted pili dusted with powdered sugars. The cream custard was not overly sweet and balanced perfectly with the sweet coconut meat and the crispy craquelin.
* Calamansi & Mint Slush – Thirst-quenching especially on a hot summer day like last Easter Sunday.
Verdict:
I wish I can choose my favorite among the dishes we ordered, but they’re all delicious so it’s hard to pick one.
Now for the customer service, the servers at Half Saints were more attentive than other servers we’ve ever encountered. They were literally observing what we need, and they are on hand to give it to us before we even asked. When my husband went to the restroom and it was occupied, one of the servers informed him when the restroom became available. They refilled our glasses as soon as they noticed the glass is (almost) empty. You don’t see that often. When I checked their Bake Studio, someone was there to answer my questions. Check out what they got at the Bake Studio!
In other restaurants, the servers act as if they’re doing you a favor, but not at Half Saints! Is that how their usual customer service goes? I don’t know, but it made such a positive impression on us.
I’m not a fan of the minimal parking space, unless there are other parking spots in The Ignacia Place that we just didn’t see. Overall, we love their food, their service and their ambiance. I also love their on-site Bake Studio. There will be a next visit, for sure!
Address:
Half Saints
G/F The Ignacia Place
62 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue
Quezon City, Philippines