A Weekend Lunch at Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant in Greenhills

There is an old Chinese saying that goes "preserve the old, but know the new", and this seems to describe the extensive Cantonese cuisine of Gloria Maris Greenhills, authentic dishes that are familiar, and reinvented new classics with a contemporary twist. 

One look at the fish tanks lining one entire side of the wall tells you seafood takes center stage at Gloria Maris, with the widest variety of the freshest crabs, shellfish, shrimps and fish. Steamed, fried, or in a soup, the fresh flavors come through with a subtle sweetness.

Lunch begins with a hot soup,Crabmeat Corn Soup with quail egg (P 88/cup), rich and thick, served steaming hot. Familiar and comforting, a classic soup dish loaded with shredded crab, and a drizzle of black vinegar rounds out the flavors.

Gloria Maris also has extensive selection of roasted meats, and one can taste a sampling of their classic bestsellers with the Roasting Combination (P 360), a platter with soy chicken, crisp pork belly and pork asado with century egg and jellyfish, served with ginger and hoisin sauce. A medley of flavors in one plate.

The crisp skin and juicy, tender meat of the pork belly and soy chicken provide contrasting textures, all perfectly roasted and seasoned.

Yang Chow Fried Rice (P 188), loaded with shrimps, pork and vegetables. Each grain is seemingly packed with so much flavor from the various ingredients, and this alone is a meal in itself.

One of Gloria Maris' newest seafood dishes, the Crab with Salted Egg (price depending on weight) is a definite must try. The sweet and juicy crab meat is enhanced by a layer of salted egg, and deep-fried. The flavors are rich and intense, and no dipping sauce needed. traditional, yet new and different.

A Gloria Maris classic. the Lechon Macau (P 268), tender pork with a layer of crisp skin, served with mustard sauce, remains an all-time favorite. The combination of crisp skin and a very thin layer of fat over juicy pork makes this a truly special dish. Extra rice? Definitely.

Another old favorite, Steamed Lapu-Lapu in soy sauce (price depending on weight), succulent whole grouper steamed to perfection topped with leeks and herbs. Tender and flavorful, with fall-of-the-bone goodness.

Taro Puff (110), delicately shaped treats from Gloria Maris' dim sum kitchen, served with sweet chili sauce. One bite brings contrasting textures with a crisp and flaky shell over soft mashed taro. Not the usual ball shaped taro puff, an indication of the dim sum kitchen's playfulness.

And no meal is complete at Gloria Maris without Taho (P 300), hot silky tofu. Add some sweet syrup and tapioca pearls, and memories of countless childhood summers are brought back in every spoonful.

Egg Tarts, rich, sweet and the perfect ending to cap a meal at Gloria Maris. Soft custard on a flaky shell, perfect with hot tea.

The extensive menu of traditional classics and new, reinvented dishes are just some of the reasons for visiting Gloria Maris. And here's more good news, Gloria Maris' 1st Anniversary Treat discount promo is extended until July 31, so better hurry. A cool 30% discount off your food bill for a minimum spend of P 1,000 is definitely something worth considering. 

Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant is located at Greenhills Shopping Center, Missouri Street corner Connecticut, Greenhills, San Juan City or call 570-0921 and 570-0923 for inquiries and reservations.

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