An Afternoon with Chef Sau Del Rosario at Cafe Fleur

 It was an afternoon just like any other, but nothing is ever ordinary at Cafe Fleur... 

The word "ordinary" doesn't exist for Chef Sau del Rosario. Have an extraordinary dining experience as he spins classic French techniques and comforting local flavors in a masterful weave at Cafe Fleur located in Makati's Poblacion. Another ordinary day isn't just what you'd expect at Poblacion's hidden gem, not with Chef Sau at the helm.

Probably one of the best kept secrets in the neighborhood and the whole metro, Cafe Fleur by Chef Sau del Rosario is an intimate spot showcasing comfortingly familiar Filipino flavors with French flair and classic French cuisine guaranteed to transform any ordinary day with his sumptuous dishes (for more on Chef Sau del Rosario and Cafe Fleur, see my previous posts, Moments at Cafe Fleur with Bottarga Pasta and Vuco Fye by Chef Sau del Rosario on his famous Vuco Fye, Dining in the Next Normal: Move Over Banana Bread and Make Way for Chef Sau de Rosario's Vananah Walnut Tsololateh Vread on his bestselling twist on a popular classic, Flavors of Pampanga: Farm-to-Table Dining at Chef Sau del Rosario's 25 Seeds on his restaurant in Angeles, Flavors of Pampanga: Samsaman, A Capampangan Boodle Fight with Chef Sau del Rosario at 25 Seeds on his festive offerings and Flavors of Pampanga: The Kanyaman Filipino Food Festival by Chef Sau del Rosario at Novotel Manila's Food Exchange from five years back). And Chef Sau del Rosario has new dishes at Cafe Fleur ready for your next visit...

The beautifully plated Pulpo with fork tender octopus topped with herbs introduces you to Chef Sau's elegant culinary style... 

...with the cleanest flavors from the day's freshest premium catch. Sliced paper thin, the pulpo is meticulously prepared delivering vibrant bursts of briny sweetness.

Chef Sau then elevates the popular local staple of sisig for a new flavor experience with his ornate Sisig Cups, light and delicately crisp spheres filled with savory pork. A delectable crunch followed by the juicy notes of sisig tempts the palate for one more bite, balanced by fresh herbs and vegetables for that light finish.

The play on contrasting flavors and textures opens up the palate, but there's even more flavorful surprises from Cafe Fleur's kitchen in a day elevated from the ordinary.

Another popular local snack is transformed with Chef Sau's crisp and crunchy Ukoy intricately formed with sweet corn kernels. Served with a creamy dip, this isn't your grandmother's homestyle version of the comforting snack. 

The sweetness of the corn and subtle salty hints from the spice blend come together with each bite, capped by an audible crunch and smoothened by the creamy dip. It's just the way Chef Sau does things, taking the familiar and transforming it for an elegant and refined expression of local flavors. After all, there's nothing quite ordinary with Chef Sau's plated expressions. 

A duo of seafood dishes highlights the day's freshest premium catch with plump, succulent and delicately seared Scallops and a refreshing medley of vegetables... 

...including cherry tomatoes, carrots, fruits and onions topped with herbs...

...and a separate sauce poured over to complete the dish. The subtle sweetness from the variety of components pair well with scallops. Freshness is flavor, and Chef Sau shows it with this dish. 

Next, a rustic and hearty Seafood Stew continues the seafood vibe with large prawns, mussels and octopus simmered in a flavorful broth with tomatoes. The dish is deceptively simple yet the flavors deliver a bold and vibrant burst to tease your palate draping it with an indulgent richness.  

New at Cafe Fleur are Chef Sau's tempting pizza selections, like the Prawn Squid Ink Pizza with its crisp and dark crust topped with prawns, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil...

...and the Karbonara Pizza, an inventive play on a classic topped with a sunny side up. From the savory toppings to the blistered and crisp crust, the new pizza selections at Cafe Fleur are an absolute must-try. 

Perfectly executed classic French-inspired dishes were then served next, including the 48-Hour Sous-Vide Wagyu Beef Cheeks with haricot verts, shallots, carrots and potatoes. All you need is a spoon. Sous-vide for 48 hours, the fork-tender Wagyu beef cheeks just melts in your mouth releasing a juicy and savory richness. The pure flavors are intensified when poured with the sauce, served separately. It's a dish that captures the culinary philosophy of Chef Sau at Cafe Fleur, classic and traditional slow food prepared meticulously in that timeless French style. 

The equally elegant Seabass en Papillote with Laing showcases another classic French technique with a slab of moist and delicate seabass draped in a creamy laing-based sauce. The combination of buttery and silky smooth seabass with the nutty and creamy laing is an inspired twist on French culinary technique and familiar homespun Filipino flavors for a novel creation. Wrapped in paper and baked, the seabass remains juicy and moist with a buttery texture. The unique flavors of the laing complements the delicate notes of the fish in a seamless weave without overpowering it for that refined balance.

That's just some of the new dishes you can expect at Cafe Fleur. But Chef Sau del Rosario isn't done just yet. This year, Cafe Fleur will also be offering a new plant-based menu as well and that's one more reason to revisit Poblacion. Then, there's SawSaw, Chef Sau's newest venture. Good things are happening in this quaint little spot in Poblacion, and it just keeps getting better... 

Le Petite Cafe Fleur is located at 5893 Enriquez Street, Poblacion, Makati or call 0917 556 0917 for inquiries and more information. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/cafefleur.ph/ for more updates.

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