LAS FLORES Alabang: Best Spanish Restaurant in the South!

Bistronomia Restaurant Series:
• RUMBA // NEW Mediterranean Resto at The Shops at Ayala Triangle (A REVIEW) (2022)
• LAS FLORES Alabang: Best Spanish Restaurant in the South! (2022)
• Las Flores Dining+: Is Intimate Dining the New Normal? (2021)
• Introducing… LAS FLORES Degustacion by Spanish Chef Ignacio Alcala! (2019)
• Rambla Salcedo Makati: Best Tapas Bar in the Salcedo Neighborhood (2019)
• BCN by Rambla: Charcoal-Grill Barcelona-Inspired Restaurant in Makati! (2018)
• TOMATITO MANILA: How Sexy is this 80’s-inspired Spanish Tapas Bar? (A Review) (2016)
• RAMBLA Rockwell: Spanish Mediterranean Cuisine by Chef Pepe Lopez @RamblaPH (2013)
• LAS FLORES: Modern Spanish Resto by (former) Barcino + Andilana (Spain) Group (2012)

Las Flores, one of the best Spanish Restaurants in Manila, elevates Spanish dining standards in the south as it finally opens in a 1920’s Art Deco heritage building in Filinvest Alabang East Wing. In the last 10 years we’ve been enjoying Las Flores, this is their most family-friendly ambiance yet, redefining celebration dining that both the Gen X and their Gen Z kids will enjoy.

Definitely, this is one of the best restaurant openings of 2022 in Alabang in the post pandemic era. We visited during Mother’s Day weekend and here are some tips to plan your Las Flores Alabang celebration with the family.

About Las Flores Alabang

The restoration of the 1924 Art Deco Biological Production Service (BPS) building in Alabang was quite impressive. It gave Las Flores a commanding presence in Filinvest Alabang East Wing and bonus points for heritage building conservation in the country like what Colin Mackay did for Blackbird in Makati.

Read more on the Conservation story here:
Inquirer.Net | Art Deco outside, cobras inside: 1920s building saved in Muntinlupa

LAS FLORES ALABANG
Heritage Building, Upper Ground Flour,
Expansion Wing, Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Mobile: +63 915 9774156
Website: www.bistronomia.ph
Instagram:@lasfloresph @bistronomia.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bistronomia.ph/

I loved the high ceiling and colorful symmetrical compass-like accent that sets the tone for a modern Spanish vibe and provides a welcoming breathing space where you feel at home in your comfortable, effortless Alabang outfit.

There are a lot of dining options with a variety of setups with corresponding ambiance you can reserve.

If dining with a starting family, go for the booth tables with green leather lounge seats which feels like your typical Friday’s dining but with a different Animo feel.

If dining with friends, reserve the lounge chairs with a Sala-like dining vibe and TV which featured Master Chef when we dined in.

For a family of 6 like us, I liked the long oval table near the entrance because it was near the high ceiling (for breathing space), and felt like eating at home with the kids.

The menu features modern Spanish fare with everything that our family loves so one can easily get lost on what to order or prioritize. I liked that we could enjoy pintxos and cocktails first, hangout until the main Spanish courses and finish with satisfying desserts.

Las Flores Menu:
• Pintxos
• Tapas, Sopas, Ensaladas
• Paellas, Pasta, Carnes, Pescados
• Postres, Sodas, Te, Agua, Jugos Frescos
• Mocktails, Cervezas, Tiki Culture
• Cocteles, Gin & Tonic
• Wines, Bubbles & Champagne, Rose
• White & Red Wine, Red Wine 2, Red Wine 3

Pintxos, Cocktails & Starters

We loved the Angus & Foie mini with a good chunk of meat and umami from the foie gras to start the meal. The mini burgers are always a hit with the kids, giving them a satisfying taste without getting too full, still ready for the mains.

The Salmon Pinxtos, in a cone or air baguette, have been their signature ever since they opened.

I always love dining at the Bistronomia group of restaurants because they know how to do a good gin & tonic, a proper sangria and their signature house-made mule. Their new Tiki Tiki cocktails provide a tropical cooling feel on a hot summer and the glasses are a talk piece in themselves. They also have an extensive selection of red wines to pair with your steaks. Panalo for the Gen X foodie.

The Spanish grazing platter was a hit for both kids and parents. We literally had to say ready, set, attack! at the same time to make sure everyone got his fair share of the cured meat and cheeses that he liked. This was literally gone in minutes.

On a hot summer day, starting with a cold salmorejo soup with creamy tomatoey taste and croutons is the best. The ensalada salad was effortlessly devoured by the boys because of the fried brie, and the parents were happy because the kids ate their veggies.

We let the kids order for a change. Yugi went for the Pasta con Mariscos; and Raphael, the bikini sandwich. Both dishes were given a high rating by the boys and I guess this is what I love about Las Flores Alabang—they know how to satisfy the little ones.

Paella

The Paella is supposedly good for two people only and we like mixing and matching our paella with different flavors. Their Squid Ink version is an all time favorite—with a thin layer of rice and soccarat topped with generous bits of squid and their yummy aioli sauce.

We asked the boys to wait for all the other dishes but they couldn’t resist finishing the paella once it was served because, as they say, may ulam na rin.

Our favorite part of the paella tradition is mixing the paella with a good layer of caramelized rice at the bottom. We like simple flavors for our paella like this mushroom truffle combination. Walang isang butil na natitira sa Paella.

Carnes

They usually have a USDA Prime Rib Eye in the menu but always ask for their off menu Tomahawk which never fails to give a satisfying celebratory moment to the dining experience. The boys just love their steaks and they like it medium with a bit of salt. The best about the Tomahawk is the piece of meat you slice off (or eat off) the bones.

(Tip: Only thing about the meats is that their cooking time is longer than that of the paella, and ideally we want the paella to be served together with the meats. Make sure to tell your server.)

Yes! They also offer Spanish style lechon with a soft creamy meat and crunchy skin which is served whole and sliced with a place table side. I liked the crunchy parts. This type of lechon can be enjoyed with a vegetable wrap or as a good pairing with the paella.

Postres

For families, eating multiple dessert is the norm so having a dessert platter like this is the best to satisfy all dessert cravings. The Churros is always a hit. The tarta with queso and ice cream were our favorites in this platter.

For chocolate lovers, I would recommend this dark chocolate cake oozing with chocolate, which you can pair with a passion fruit sorbet and berry compote. You just need a few combination bites to satisfy your craving.

Our favorite dessert in a Spanish restaurant is their Spanish cream brûlée topped with burnt caramel. This one tasted like yema—leche flan that was not too sweet with the burnt crust cutting through its creaminess. Sarap!

Final Thoughts

Overall, everything was wiped out and everyone in the family loved each pintxos, each dish, the paella, the steaks. We also got to educate the kids on different types of cocktails.

Best thing about it is you don’t have to dress up and just go in your Alabang hangout fashion. Everyone felt at home the moment he entered. The servers were very friendly, entertained our request to transfer to the bigger oval table and were patient while guiding us through the menu.

I would reserve the tables under the high ceiling or the Chef’s table beside the kitchen. The restaurant is always fully booked on weekends or special occasions so I would book this early for Father’s Day.

Budget about ₱1,500/head for a celebration.

Congratulations to the Bistronomia group for opening one of the best restaurants in Alabang in the post pandemic era! Most specially, thank you for bringing your awesome Spanish food to the south in a landmark heritage building that our kids’ generation would enjoy for years to come. Yes, this is our favorite Las Flores ever. 🙂

LAS FLORES ALABANG
Heritage Building, Upper Ground Flour,
Expansion Wing, Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Mobile: +63 915 9774156
Website: www.bistronomia.ph
Instagram: @bistronomia.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bistronomia.ph/

Related Blog Posts:
• LAS FLORES Alabang: Best Spanish Restaurant in the South! (2022)
• Las Flores Dining+: Is Intimate Dining the New Normal? (2021)
• Introducing… LAS FLORES Degustacion by Spanish Chef Ignacio Alcala! (2019)
• LAS FLORES: Modern Spanish Resto by (former) Barcino + Andilana (Spain) Group (2012)

Live an Awesome Life with Christ,

Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: Thank you to our friends at Bistronomia for our dining experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.

P.S. The only turn off is the restroom. There is only one restroom like the ones in Starbucks where you get a long line on a busy dinner service.