The Black Pig Charcuterie, Bar & Restaurant, Alabang

The Black Pig Charcuterie, Bar & Restaurant

2/F The Commercenter Alabang, Commerce Ave. corner East Asia Dr., 

Filinvest, Muntinlupa City

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Several renowned celebrated prominent food bloggers recently wrote highly favorable commendatory reviews about this restaurant.  Since The Black Pig is at the same building where Dr. R's clinic is located, I decided to have my first birthday dinner treat here with  my good old pals from Dentistry.

Complimentary Bread, Olive Oil & Salted Butter

I tried one of those small breads, but when I 

cut the bread with my fingers, it crumbled.

I didn't eat it.  Didn't taste the baguette nor the butter.

Complimentary Crudites & Mustard Dip

Those vegetables were extremely small and were wilted,

probably overcooked.  I just took a photo.

Charcuterie Board / Php 850

I just had to order this  because it was highly recommended by the bloggers that I follow.

 I really had no plans of eating these preserved meat.   

These paper-thin  (actually.."Japanese paper"-thin) slices of ham did not impress.

... and these were not the same ham served to the bloggers.

How can I be sure these ham are really Iberico or Serrano, or from Spain?

They seem to look like the local Chinese Ham that I buy in Binondo.

Majestic or Adelina's  might even taste better.

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I ordered five appetizers / starters.

Parmesan Tortellini / Php 280

The tortellini was delicious and I liked the Parmesan Crisps.

But those greens were a bit bitter, so I didn't eat them.

Mackerel & Avocado / Php 240

Can you see the mackerel? Horrible plating.

If it isn't nice to look at, it probably isn't good to eat.

Pork Terrine / Php 300

Son asked what this was. I said it's a terrine.

He said, "It's just like embotido."

Dr Tina said, "galantina".  Had no plans of touching this.

The plating is weird.

Pan Seared Tuna / Php 380

At least this had more "greens". Didn't eat this.

Mushroom Risotto / Php280

I love rice.  Their risotto was creamy and quite tasty.

There is this thin line between al dente and under-cooked.

This was definitely under-cooked.

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The Main Entrees

Slow Cooked Seabass / Php 560

Can you find the seabass?

Open Ravioli with Quail Egg / Php 380

For this price, they could have at least placed two raviolis. 

Pan Fried Chicken / Php 480

Are you sure this was fried? The chicken looks very pale.

It must have been boiled or steamed. 

Pork Belly & Bone Marrow / Php 480

You get a teaspoon of bone marrow, soggy pork skin

and one raw leaf of bokchoy.  

For 480,  they could at least put the whole bokchoy.

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The Desserts

Coconut Panacotta / Php 180

Lemon Sorbet to cleanse the palate. Chever, Whatever.

Are you sure there was coconut?

Apple Mille-Feuille / Php 280

Nothing spectacular.

Choco Praline Mousse ? Php 290

You could have at least placed two pieces.

Served on a "broken" plate? Bad idea.

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The Beer Flight / Php 350

I hope Dr. R liked their beer.

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I ordered a lot so I can get to taste more dishes.

I was curious again!

The serving portions are too small.

This restaurant is overrated and overpriced.

Too much hype and extravagant praise.

I should stop following those bloggers.

Don't even ask .... 

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/ chicsanders 2014