An eclectic dining enclave in Rockwell

FUSION Japanese chef with French touch: Chef Hiroyuki Meno, formerly of Brasserie Paul Bocuse in Tokyo, is the new executive chef of Prologue. —Photo from Prologue

Tucked in Aruga, the former hotel now building of serviced apartments just outside Power Plant Mall in Rockwell (Marks & Spencer / Mango side), is a revamped restaurant called Prologue.

When I visited the other night, it was absolutely empty. So I am sharing this for those of you who might be looking for a quiet place to dine amidst the hustle and bustle of the mall.

It is located on the ground floor of the building and has an elegant setup with beautifully framed humble art on the walls and a luxurious couch in place of chairs for some tables.

The menu is by Chef Hiroyuki Meno, former executive chef of Brasserie Paul Bocuse and Maison Paul Bocuse in Tokyo (among other Michelin-starred restaurants he has worked at).

It is eclectic but complete, and seems to have been deliberately designed to accommodate the taste of every diner. There are pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, Asian favorites, grilled specialties and steaks.

The appetizers are lovely: escargot bourguignon, fried tripe and moules mariniere. You can’t go wrong with those. They also have irresistible truffle chips to snack on.

The steaks can get quite pricey, with the Canadian bone-in ribeye hitting P5,800, although it is a hefty 800 grams. The US ribeye is more manageable at P 2,700 for 300 grams.

For individual servings, the mains include Beef Burgundy, Moroccan Lamb, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Norwegian Salmon Steak, and Fish and Chips (although this uses Dory).

They also have rice bowls, which are much appreciated after a long day at work. The beef rendang, although it could be more spicy, is pleasantly tender as it uses Australian wagyu brisket. The chicken tandoori, from the grills sections, is also pleasant, although mild in flavor.

Another wonderful thing about this space is that it has a little section that can work as a conference room, so if you have a meeting, they offer a good setting. Or if you get really loud, as we do with my group of foodie friends called Lamonation, this is perfect, too! (If you know the DJ/ANC host Boyet Sison, who passed away during the pandemic, that’s the decibel level of loudness. Now picture 12 people just like that! It’s a riot!)

Then afterwards, you’re all set to watch Barbie, Oppenheimer or Mission Impossible at the mall!!