Crisp on 28th by Erwan Heussaff & co. (yes, he’s the only one whom I’m familiar with) is like an awkward teenager during “transition years.” Or like a 20-something-year-old yuppie in the midst of a “quarter-life crisis.” Or a middle-aged man who can’t figure out if life indeed begins at 40 or not. Or a menopausal 50-year old woman who can’t decide if she wants a new bag or a pair of shoes for Christmas. Oh wait, make that any woman…
No! I’m not saying that Crisp on 28th is like a fickle-minded lady on her 2nd day of period who just doesn't know what to do with her life. What I’m saying is…it’s a restaurant that’s still testing the waters - it’s relatively new (opened last July) and is managed by a young team.
No! I’m not saying that Crisp on 28th is like a fickle-minded lady on her 2nd day of period who just doesn't know what to do with her life. What I’m saying is…it’s a restaurant that’s still testing the waters - it’s relatively new (opened last July) and is managed by a young team.
After my first visit last August, I told myself that I’d come back again to try other items on their menu because I was unfortunate enough to order a Php510-toast box that looked like a whimsical Betsey Johnson creation but tasted like a boring Martha Stewart cookie. It would be unfair of me to pass judgment on this new restaurant based on that bloody toast box. Besides, I really liked the vibes and ambiance of the place – classy but a bit funky, chill but vibrant, posh but not intimidating.
Contrary to popular belief (and to what I wrote last time), Crisp on 28th is not only into the healthy, organic trend that we see just about everywhere. Oh. So that explains the big chunk of steak on one of their popular salads.
But they’re also about experimenting with different cuisines - fusion, innovation, and all that jazz. Ah. That must explain the Betsey x Martha toast box collab, no?
That being said, my second visit to Crisp on 28th was a mix of hits and misses.
But they’re also about experimenting with different cuisines - fusion, innovation, and all that jazz. Ah. That must explain the Betsey x Martha toast box collab, no?
That being said, my second visit to Crisp on 28th was a mix of hits and misses.
Full Courtyard Salad (Php280) with Steak (+Php275)
Mixed salad greens, cucumber, French beans, walnuts, broccoli, roasted beets, quail egg, herbed croutons, country dressing and grilled hanger steak.
One of Crisp on 28th's bestsellers. It's like an appetizer (greens), main course (steak), and dessert (sweet beetroot) rolled into one and drizzled with their homemade dressing. The steak was perfectly cooked (rare) but the salad in general wasn't my favorite among the dishes we ate that night - it's good but not great. From the point of view of someone who's been vocal about her apathy toward salads (lels), I don't think the Courtyard Salad is the salad that will change my lack of interest in this particular appetizer.
But! If you'd like to veer away from the usual salads and have Php500+ to spare, then you might want to try this.
One of Crisp on 28th's bestsellers. It's like an appetizer (greens), main course (steak), and dessert (sweet beetroot) rolled into one and drizzled with their homemade dressing. The steak was perfectly cooked (rare) but the salad in general wasn't my favorite among the dishes we ate that night - it's good but not great. From the point of view of someone who's been vocal about her apathy toward salads (lels), I don't think the Courtyard Salad is the salad that will change my lack of interest in this particular appetizer.
But! If you'd like to veer away from the usual salads and have Php500+ to spare, then you might want to try this.
Adobo Floss
Flaked chicken thigh and pork belly adobo on top of liver parfait and bread.
Now this was where the Pinoy and Western fusion came in. It was a nice idea, really, and the adobo flakes were tasty and tender. But I thought it was a risky creation because I know that not everyone likes liver - either they like it or they hate it. Sadly, there are no grey areas in between.
I had mixed feelings about this dish - loved how tasty the adobo flakes were but hated the fact that the liver was a bit overpowering.
Now this was where the Pinoy and Western fusion came in. It was a nice idea, really, and the adobo flakes were tasty and tender. But I thought it was a risky creation because I know that not everyone likes liver - either they like it or they hate it. Sadly, there are no grey areas in between.
I had mixed feelings about this dish - loved how tasty the adobo flakes were but hated the fact that the liver was a bit overpowering.
Falafel Salad Bites (Php290)
Crispy falafel and chickpeas, Hawaiian bun, white bean hummus, curried egg mayo, mixed greens
Loved this! Granted, I'm a sucker for anything that slightly tastes like kebab, but the falafel patties were delicious and could pass for an M&M's commercial - melts in your mouth!
Loved this! Granted, I'm a sucker for anything that slightly tastes like kebab, but the falafel patties were delicious and could pass for an M&M's commercial - melts in your mouth!
Longga Plate (Php280)
Home made Vigan, sweet and peppery longganisa, garlic brown rice, sunny side up and seared tomatoes, spiced vinegar
Oddly enough, out of all the experimental dishes that we tasted that night, this was the meal that everyone liked. There was nothing different or unusual or out-of-the-box-ish about it except that the longganisa was homemade. Goes to show that familiar, although boring at times, isn't always bad. Safe choices can be great, too!
Oddly enough, out of all the experimental dishes that we tasted that night, this was the meal that everyone liked. There was nothing different or unusual or out-of-the-box-ish about it except that the longganisa was homemade. Goes to show that familiar, although boring at times, isn't always bad. Safe choices can be great, too!
Smoked Salmon (Php450)
Smoke salmon with capers, cream cheese, mixed salad greens, poached egg, and mixed greens
I was hesitant to taste this at first because I don't like eating things that look raw but the salmon was well cooked and the fishy smell was barely noticeable when eaten with cream cheese and a bit of lemon juice. It was good, but like the courtyard salad, not that great. Not something that I would order right off the bat because I'm not one to spend half a thousand pesos for a meal that hardly fills my tummy =)
I was hesitant to taste this at first because I don't like eating things that look raw but the salmon was well cooked and the fishy smell was barely noticeable when eaten with cream cheese and a bit of lemon juice. It was good, but like the courtyard salad, not that great. Not something that I would order right off the bat because I'm not one to spend half a thousand pesos for a meal that hardly fills my tummy =)
Roasted Sambal Chicken Thighs (Php385)
Brown rice, pickled cucumbers, breaded okra, poached egg, and sambal sauce poured over roasted chicken thigh
Another one of their bestsellers and I could totally understand why. I think this meal represents what Crisp on 28th really offers - innovative comfort food (outside influence present on the sambal sauce but localized by adding silog and okra). This dish is like a chili binagoongan chicksilog!
Another one of their bestsellers and I could totally understand why. I think this meal represents what Crisp on 28th really offers - innovative comfort food (outside influence present on the sambal sauce but localized by adding silog and okra). This dish is like a chili binagoongan chicksilog!
Donut Bites (Php35 each / Php150, 5 pcs.)
We sampled the following homemade donuts - brown butter, cereal glaze, peanut butter & jelly, banana cream cheese , and peanut butter banana.
My favorite flavor was the peanut butter & jelly, but in general the donuts were just okay, nothing spectacular. They were actually very light and airy, therefore far from being at the bang-for-the-buck level of Krispy Kreme and J.Co. But I thought it was understandable that this wasn't their strongest suit. I mean, hello, I don't think I'd hear anyone say he'd go to Crisp on 28th solely for the donuts...
My favorite flavor was the peanut butter & jelly, but in general the donuts were just okay, nothing spectacular. They were actually very light and airy, therefore far from being at the bang-for-the-buck level of Krispy Kreme and J.Co. But I thought it was understandable that this wasn't their strongest suit. I mean, hello, I don't think I'd hear anyone say he'd go to Crisp on 28th solely for the donuts...
Pumpkin Cheesecake (Php190)
Surprisingly good cheesecake! I'm not a big fan of cheesecakes because most of them can get overwhelming to the taste buds (too sour) and OTT but this one's good! Couldn't taste the pumpkin, though.
So! Overall, Crisp on 28th is a promising restaurant with a super nice ambiance but still has a lot of room for improvement - they can probably start with polishing their identity? It seems to me that they have so many crazy ideas that they want to try (which isn't entirely a bad thing!) but they can't execute well. Some of the meals we tasted were so-so, but I will go back again to try their other bestsellers, preferably during happy hours (5pm-8pm) when everyone can enjoy local beers for half the price!
Chef Richmond, Aldous (thanks for the invite!), me, Erika, Bettina, and Monique Monasterio (Marketing Manager of Crisp on 28th)
CRISP ON 28TH
Located inside Alveo Corporate Center
28th St., BGC, Taguig
0917 584 6883
Open Everyday at 7:00am - 11:00pm
For the full menu, click here.
Located inside Alveo Corporate Center
28th St., BGC, Taguig
0917 584 6883
Open Everyday at 7:00am - 11:00pm
For the full menu, click here.