The Secret's Out. The Bistro Group Unveils Secret Recipe at One Ayala...

The comforting and multi-cultural weave of rich flavors from Asian and western cuisine along with decadent fine quality cakes combine for another culinary treat from The Bistro Group. Unravel and experience the diverse flavors at Secret Recipe...

Now with 23 concepts and 192 branches, The Bistro Group adds yet another brand to its roster of restaurants with the opening of Secret Recipe at One Ayala in Makati. The Malaysian based restaurant, café and lifestyle destination brings its own style and flair to the local dining scene with its flavorful renditions of comforting flavors, soothing array of refreshing beverages and indulgent desserts inspired by both western and Asian influences in an elegant setting. Step inside The Bistro Group's newest culinary offering and uncover the flavorful secrets of Secret Recipe...

Located at the new Alfresco area of One Ayala, the successful Secret Recipe restaurant concept is a modern lifestyle regional café from Malaysia anchored on its wide and extensive selection of beverages, comforting cuisine and finely crafted desserts for a sumptuous dining experience. Since its establishment in 1997, Secret Recipe now has over 380 locations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Maldives, Bangladesh and now the Philippines. 

Inside Secret Recipe, the brand's flamboyant yet engaging personality shines through with its vibrant interiors, a colorful floral palette including rose petals on the ceiling for a look and vibe unique to Malaysia's fastest growing lifestyle cakes and café chain feeding both the eyes and palate along with your insatiable social media driven appetite. 

Secret Recipe clearly hits it right on the nail with its lifestyle approach, appealing to both the visceral sensory appeal as well as a gram-worthy experience from its colorful design to its extensive range of flavorful culinary offerings. 

That day, top management from The Bistro Group and Malaysia-based Secret Recipe chain of lifestyle cafés celebrated the formal opening of its first and newest branch in Manila...

...with a ceremonial slicing of the cake. And not just any 8" or 9" cake but the biggest cake yet from their kitchen with a massive and grand recreation of their signature bestseller, the Red Velvet Cake. The secret is now finally revealed with the entry of Secret Recipe in the local restaurant scene. 

Guests at the exclusive preview were then treated to a sumptuous sampling from Secret Recipe's menu of comfortingly familiar Asian classics, hearty western fare, refreshing beverages...

...and tempting desserts from fresh baked muffins, brownies and cookies to lavish cakes. But first, some refreshing libations...

Secret Recipe has long been known for its impressive menu of tea-based beverages from the Bandung Selasih (P 145), Plum Lime Kasturi (P 145), Island Cucumber Basil Breeze (P 150) and Kiwi Lime Twilight Tea (P 150) to Cherry Blush Harmony (P 150), Peppermint Serenity (P 195) and Green Apple Zen Tea (P 195) and that first sip becomes a mandatory part of your Secret Recipe experience. 

The Gingered Lychee Grove Tea (P 195) with the pronounced sharpness and healthy restorative notes of ginger teases the palate...

...rounded out by the sweetness of lychees followed by the bold hints of tea adding a balanced depth with each sip. With fourteen tea-based options to choose from as well as coffee, a libation of your choice is the opening round to your Secret Recipe experience. One more sip to open up the palate and you're ready to begin your hearty and satisfying feast at Secret Recipe. 

Start with the Crispy Prawn Balls (P 365-5pcs/P 675-10 pcs) with its crisp outer layer over a succulent filling of fresh prawns paired with a sweet chili dip...

...or go straight down to business with the bowl of comforting Spaghetti Meatballs (P 350/P 675)...

...or indulge in the day's fresh catch with the Seafood Medley Pasta (P 495/P 695).  Secret Recipe offers eight pasta dishes on the menu from the classic Aglio Olio (P 275/P 425) with Crispy Beef Strips (P 350/P 550), Shrimp (P 395/P 595) or Salmon (P 695/P 895) to Prawn Macaroni and Cheese (P 450/P 650), Spaghetti Bolognese with Chicken (P 325/P 625) or Beef (P 345/P 645) and Baked Lasagne with Chicken (P 495) or Beef (P 595) to satisfy any pasta craving. 

Then, there's the traditional Char Kuey Teow (P 425/P 695) for that Southeast Asian homage to its Malaysian roots. The unique mix of both western and Asian cuisine on the menu at Secret Recipe is a distinct feature of Malaysia's popular lifestyle café chain offering more tasty options. 

Secret Recipe brings freshness to your table with ten tempting salad options from Crispy Chicken Salad (P 275/P75), Oriental Salad (P 395/P 650) and Citrus Salad (P 275/P 575) to Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken (P 350/P 550), Polynesian Salad (P 315/P 645) and Tropical Cold Chicken Salad (P 425/P 725) for that perfect fresh start. 

Enjoy an assortment of flavors and textures with the Starter Platter (P 545) with grilled chicken skewers, crisp fried spring rolls, deep-fried dumplings and glazed fried chicken for another taste of east meets west at Secret Recipe. 

The Tom Yum Prawn with Noodles (P 495) brings the iconic tartness of the famed Thai broth with the succulent briny sweetness of plump prawns in a comforting bowl of noodles to warm the palate with each sip and bite...

...while the Singapore Laksa (P 465) is another nod to Secret Recipe's regional culinary roots and Southeast Asian cuisine selections on the menu. Noodles draped in rich, creamy and velvety smooth laksa broth simmered with seafood and vegetables always hits the spot.  

Other Asian-inspired dishes include the Special Seafood Mee Mamak (P 395/P 745), Curry Seafood Laksa (P 465), Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (P 450) and Tom Yum Chicken with Noodles (P 450). 

For your main course, let Secret Recipe please your palate with a savory selection of chicken dishes like the Grilled Black Pepper Chicken Chop (P 325/P 450) with tender slabs of chicken slathered in a thick and dark black pepper sauce...

...or the Tomato Tango Chicken Chop (P 295/P 495), Grilled Mushroom Chicken Chop (P 345/P 495), Country Fried Chicken (P 395/P 550) and Golden Crispy Chicken (P 325/P 450). Craving for more regional Asian flavors? The Nasi Goreng Ayam Rangup (P 495/725) and Nasi Lemak (P 495/P 895) should do the trick. 

The flavors of the region are also highlighted in savory dishes like Fried Rice with Chicken Satay (P 350) and Chicken Pandan (P 525/P 895). Looking for a lighter meal option? Secret Recipe's sandwiches and burgers including the Kaya Sandwich (P 195) in both Classic and Pandan offer tasty alternatives.

Secret Recipe also has seafood dishes on the menu like the Pan-Grilled Dory with Lobster Sauce (P 450), Halibut with Asian Salsa (P 675), Tomato Tango Salmon (P 850), Thai Style Fried Rice with Tiger Prawns (P 395), Fish  & Chips (P 295/P 595) and Thai Style Fried Rice with Grilled Mackerel (P 645) for a satisfying meal with the day's fresh catch. 

You'll want some extra rice with the classic Beef Rendang (P 995) with fork-tender slabs of beef draped in a rich coconut cream-based sauce with vegetables. Each bite brings layer upon layer of savory richness from the beef down to the sauce. Extra rice? Absolutely. 

But it's the Irish Lamb Shank (P 2,125) on buttery mashed potatoes with a side of vegetables that steals the show for me with its fall-off-the-bone goodness. The intense and concentrated flavors lingers long on the palate finished with a just a whisper of savory sweetness. 

I usually go all out with the savory mains and skip dessert, but you may want to change your usual game plan at Secret Recipe. Secret Recipe is, after all, also known for their finely crafted and elegant cake creations like The Red Velvet (P 195 Slice/P 1,595 Whole Cake). 

Secret Recipe's repertoire of pure indulgence in the form of Cheesecakes, Cream Cakes, Square Cakes, Chocolate Cakes and Signature Cakes like the Moist Chocolate Cream Cake (P 175/P 1,295) caps your sumptuous meal with the picture-perfect sweet ending. 

From the Hokkaido Triple Cheesecake (P 195/P 1,595), Signature Black Forest (P 195/P 1,595) and Decadent Tiramisu (P 225/P 1,895) to the Boston Chocolate Square Cake (P 175/P 1,295), Chocolate Fudge (P 175/P 1,295) and White Chocolate Macadamia (P 175/P 1,295), Secret Recipe has the perfect slice just for you. 

But it's the Cheesecake selection at Secret Recipe that won me over that day. The timeless New York Cheesecake (P 195/P 1,595) is pure elegance in its simplicity with its luscious texture and finish. Not too sweet yet indulgently rich, each bite pairs well with a freshly brewed Americano. 

The Burnt Cheesecake (P 225/P 1,895) with its delicately caramelized top over rich yet light cream cheese is one slice you just can't pass up. Secret Recipe has the usual suspects in their Cheesecake selection like Oreo (P 195/P 1,595), Wild Blueberry (P 225/P 1,895), Chocolate Cheese Berries (P 195/P 1,595), Marble (P 195/P 1,595), Butterfly Pea Lemon (P 185/P 1,595) and Creme Brulee (P 195/P 1,595) but the New York Cheesecake and Burnt Cheesecake are my top personal picks. 

The extensive menu of western and regional Southeast Asian flavors offers a refreshing and unique alternative to your list of dining options in the metro. The casual and homey vibe adds to the dining experience. Where else can you dine under a ceiling filled with rose petals? 

From its stellar roster of soothing beverages to starters and mains all the way to desserts, Secret Recipe has it covered. The secret is finally unlocked by The Bistro Group with the opening of  Secret Recipe at One Ayala...  

...and your table is ready and waiting for you. Have your cake and savory starters and main courses too at Malaysia's fastest growing lifestyle café chain, now blooming in the local culinary scene at Secret Recipe in One Ayala.  

Secret Recipes is located at Level 2, Alfresco, One Ayala Mall, Ayala Avenue, Makati City. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/tbg.secretrecipeph and https://www.instagram.com/secretrecipeph/ for more updates and information. 

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