Hits and Misses at Chelsea Podium

Whenever my family is in Podium, we usually eat at Terry’s or Arya given the limited dining options there. Thus, we were thrilled to see that Chelsea Market & Cafe, a Serendra pioneer, has finally opened its doors to Podium shoppers. We, of course, had to have our dinner there for a change.

Chelsea at Podium has managed to maintain the restaurant’s signature charm with its warm lights and deli vibe. Wines, cheeses, breads, etc. are still for sale consistent with its market concept. It’s basically just a roomier version of the Serendra branch with its high ceiling and upstairs space to accommodate more guests.

Chelsea's Signature French Onion Herb (250php)

I know how laborious it is to make this kind of soup and Chelsea’s stock didn’t disappoint. It had a good onion flavor without completely overwhelming the palate. I was disappointed with the bread and cheese though since I felt that it needed more time in the oven. I also wondered if they really used gruyere cheese as the cheese tasted more like those commercial cheese slices found in the grocery store.

Grilled Roasted Herb Chicken and Crispy Bacon (420php)

The vegetables were fresh but this was just ok. The only thing that made this dish interesting was the almonds. The irony of pairing vegetables and grilled chicken with bacon was also not lost on me.

Duck Confit and Chorizo Bilbao Pizza (10" at 450php)

I give props to Chelsea for coming up with a unique pizza combination but I couldn’t decide if I liked this or not. My parents did enjoy this though. 

Baked Herb Chicken and Spinach Gorgonzola Rigatoni (495php)

I would have considered this dish bland if not for its very creamy texture and the generous amount of spinach it had. This, however, didn’t blow my mind.

Char-Grilled Pulling Off the Bone New Zealand Lamb Ribs (500g at 695php)

The lamb was indeed very tender but I had problems with the roasted fire sauce it was paired with. It didn’t complement the meat making me prefer to eat the lamb without sauce. Good thing the lamb was flavorful enough that it managed to stand on its own. The rice that came with the dish was also good.

I was surprised that Chelsea in Podium gave us a fair share of misses resulting to a very unimpressed family. Here’s hoping to more restaurant choices in Podium as I’m running out of options.

Chelsea Market & Cafe is located at the G/F, The Podium Mandaluyong City. Visit here for more details.