Sand Under My Feet: Roots Market Bistro

January 10, 2015

Roots Market Bistro

I don’t know if it’s just a fad but there has been an increase of farm-to-table restaurants sprawling in Metro Manila. I only pass by them usually because most of them are on the high-end side and most often than not are way beyond my budget when dining out. But when we were in Greenhills, San Juan (one weekend) we were drawn to this new restaurant in the newly renovated Promenade Mall which is called Roots Market Bistro.

First and foremost, what enticed us to try this restaurant is the ambiance and the decorations; the wood tables, benches and lighting looks really nice and cozy. And you guys probably already know I’m a sucker for restaurants with great ambiance and those that are Instagram-worthy.

I can’t really put my finger on how to describe the table set ups but all I know is that I find it pretty cute and cool with the mason jar being the utensil holder, wooden salt and pepper shakers and a mini paint easel where the specials of the week is placed. I also like the layout of the menu and where they put them – in a chopping board/clipboard.

Roots Market Bistro serves American and European dishes that are chef creations. Although their kitchen is visible from the dining area, I am not sure if the chef who owns it is the one who prepared our meals. Here’s what we ordered:

Beef Meatballs Casserole

More than Double (Pork) Chops

Grilled Salmon

Seared Prawns and Scallops

House Iced Tea

The tomato sauce of the Beef Meatballs Casserole was ok and real tomatoes were used to make it - which is good. Although the meatballs were regular sized it was pretty tasty and you can really taste the beef. The salad that came with it was also ok. It was my husband who ordered the More than Double (Pork) Chops, it wasn’t two slices of pork chops but a big and thick cut. My husband is a great fan of grilled pork chops but he said it was just ok but the serving was big enough for his big appetite. Our two other friends who ordered the Grilled Salmon and the Seared Prawns and Scallops said theirs was good too. Though their house iced tea tasted like any other iced tea I have tried from other restaurants, nothing that says it's an original blend from Roots.

Roots Market Bistro also sells other merchandises that you can buy to take home, like fruit jams, storing jars, drinking mason jars, crystal sugar etc. Service was ok and the staff are attentive. But you must be patient because your food will be prepared only after ordering, at least that gives you the assurance that your food is served to you freshly cooked.