The Full Spread with Nostalgia Lounge and Bar's New and Extensive Nostalgia-To-Go Menu

The disruptive impact of the quarantine experience continues to transform our daily routine forcing everyone to adapt and find new ways of staying relevant in this new normal. Changing consumer habits like dining at home, the food delivery culture and increased online transactions shaped and defined the past year in a trend that will most likely carry over to this year and the next. At Nostalgia Lounge and Bar of Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, constant innovation remains key in strengthening links with their loyal customers with the Nostalgia-to-Go Menu designed for the new normal...

For Executive Chef Edgar "Egay"Alejandria of Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, the unique challenges of the new normal presented opportunities for creative innovations. Last year at the height of the lockdown, the Nostalgia Lounge and Bar introduced their Signature Pancit for take-out and delivery. A lavish take on the popular local noodle dish, Chef Egay elevates and reinterprets the popular staple with generous toppings of succulent prawns, plump scallops, mahi-mahi, salmon, squid and barbecued pork for an indulgent and new flavor experience (more on the Signature Pancit on my earlier post here at Dining in the Next Normal: The Nostalgia Lounge and Bar Elevates Your Favorite Local Noodles with the Lavish Signature Pancit).

Early this year, Nostalgia Lounge and Bar launched their new HotBox offerings for a fresh and hot meal straight out of a box that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. Simply pull the string of the HotBox and your meal will be heated in minutes (more on the innovative HotBox on my previous post, Fresh and Hot Straight Out of the HotBox with the Valentine's Delights by The Nostalgia Lounge and Bar). Now, Chef Egay takes a closer look at the menu of Nostalgia Lounge and Bar with a refreshed perspective offering a blend of popular bestsellers and new dishes for dine-in, take-out and delivery with the Nostalgia-To-Go Menu.

The new and extensive Nostalgia-To-Go Menu offers a wide variety of dishes, think of it as the full spread of dining options for every craving and appetite. From appetizers to mains, soups and salads, pasta and pizza, sandwiches and burgers to comforting Filipino and Asian cuisine, Executive Chef Egay Alejandria pretty much covers all the bases...

...including Nostalgia-To-Go Meal Sets specifically created for take-out and delivery. Choose from seven Meal Sets from classic Filipino favorites to pasta and seafood dishes conveniently packed for take-out and delivery. Note that the Nostalgia-To-Go Meal Sets are not available for dine-in however with recent guidelines by the IATF, all dishes from Nostalgia Lounge and Bar will be available for take-out and delivery from March 22 until April 4 while dine-in restrictions are in effect.

Guests can also opt to dine in at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar (but you need a Pasig Pass that can be easily downloaded or scanned via QR Code that can also be used in sister cities Mandaluyong and Valenzuela, the hotel can assist you), now with all the latest mandatory health and safety protocols in place. Inside Nostalgia Lounge and Bar, the spacious interiors have been reconfigured for proper social distancing with special acrylic table dividers. A quick temperature scan followed by filling up a contact tracing form are now part of the experience in the new normal.

Other noticeable changes include a "contactless" process for ordering and payment with QR codes for the menu and payment options on your paper placemat.

As part of the multinational Accor Hospitality Group, Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila implements the corporate ALLSAFE health protocols in all ACCOR properties mandated for a safe hotel experience which includes frequent and regular disinfection of all areas. This includes alarms activated on a regular schedule for hotel staff to disinfect. At the restaurant, staff that disinfect surfaces are replaced by another team to serve guests. This and many more protocols are strictly enforced by Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila for your peace of mind.

Update: Note that The Nostalgia Lounge and Bar will be closed for dine-in effective March 22 to April 4, 2021 in compliance with the latest IATF Resolution No. 104. Take-out and delivery orders will still be available from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. 

The Roof at Joy-Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila with its open air al fresco set up will be open for lunch and dinner and diners may avail of the Nostalgia Lounge and Bar Nostalgia-To-Go Menu for both the lunch and dinner service (for more on The Roof, see my post, Sundown Barbecue Up High at The Roof Pop-Up Bar Events Space of Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila). 

That day, we sampled an array of dishes starting with their selection of comforting soups like the Salmon Chowder (P 600) loaded with firm chunks of buttery salmon in a thick and creamy broth with carrots, celery, potatoes and onions...

...the equally comforting French Onion Soup (P 450) with caramelized onions draped in a rich beef broth infused with white wine capped by a soft crust of gratinated Gruyere and Emmental cheese...

...and the traditional Mushroom Soup (P 420) with a blend of pureed mushrooms for deep earthy notes topped with silky smooth cream for that perfect finish. Chef Egay sticks to tradition with his soup selection at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar, masterfully recreating familiar notes. The Salmon Chowder is a refreshing variation of the classic, with the chunks of salmon adding to the creamy finish for an elegant spin of the dish.

Craving for vibrant Asian flavors? Chef Egay recreates the soothing notes with just a gentle whisper of heat with the Laksa (P 580), the iconic Singaporean noodle soup with tender chicken, egg, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, carrots, onions and cabbage slathered in a thick coconut cream broth. Nostalgia Lounge and Bar also offers other Asian specialties including Vietnamese Pho (P 650) as well as Beef Rendang (P 600), Chicken Tikka Masala (P 650) and Filipino staples like Pinakbet (P 520), Chicken Adobo (P 650), Lechon Kawali (P 680), Crispy Pata (P 880), Pork Ribs Adobo (P 700) and Kare-Kare (P 800). 

Nostalgia Lounge and Bar offers a tempting selection of appetizers, from Grilled Chicken Quesadilla (P 450) to Nachos (P 530), Pork Sisig (P 580), Cheese Platter (P 560) and Buffalo Chicken Tenders (P 610) but it's the Escargot (P 700) that catches your fancy from the list of options. Draped in a rich garlic butter sauce sprinkled with fresh parsley, the succulent snails deliver fresh, clean and deep flavors complemented by the garlic butter. Each bite brings a vibrant burst of flavors draping the palate with an indulgent richness. Each order comes with six pieces and that's gone in no time at all. 

For a balanced dining experience, why not start with a salad? Nostalgia Lounge and Bar offers refreshing salads like Caesar Salad (P 650), Salmon Nicoise Salad (P 650), California Poke Bowl (P 520) and Falafel and Couscous Poke Bowl (P 580) for that perfect start. The Cobb Salad (P 500) with grilled chicken, bacon, egg, tomatoes, blue cheese and avocado on garden-fresh and crisp greens brings fresh flavors with contrasting notes and textures from the bacon, avocado and blue cheese in a balanced blend.

Chef Egay also offers distinctly Thai flavors on a bowl... 

...with the Thai Grilled Chicken Salad (P 560). Sweet, tart, mildly sour and salty, the Thai Grilled Chicken Salad is a savory and refreshing salad option with tender grilled marinated chicken thigh, fresh cucumbers, roasted peanuts and sweet pomelo on fresh salad greens. Like all Thai dishes, the salad brings a tapestry of colorful and contrasting notes with each bite in a delicate weave to open up the palate for the next courses.

From their Asian selection comes the Lengua Estofado (P 800), Chef Egay's on take on the Filipino Spanish dish. The fork-tender and almost melt-in-your-mouth ox-tongue delivers rich savory notes braised in red wine and tomatoes for hours. Olives and the sweet smoky notes of bell peppers complete the flavors. There's a comfortingly nostalgic vibe with this dish triggering countless fond memories. Chef Egay takes you back with his interpretations of old favorites at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar.

From their Mains, the Baby Back Ribs (P 700) is a feast in itself with fall-off-the-bone pork ribs glazed in a sweet and smoky homemade BBQ sauce served with coleslaw and shredded grilled corn. The delicate notes of the pork deliver a subtle sweetness followed by smoky hints and finished by the bold flavors of the BBQ sauce. It's the classic slab of ribs dinner on a plate. 

Chef Egay then adds his playfully inventive twist to burgers with the mouthwatering burger offerings of Nostalgia Lounge and Bar...

...like the Double Burger (P 990), a hefty burger with two juicy grilled 100% all-beef patties slathered in BBQ mayo with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, Cheddar cheese and fried egg on a handcrafted toasted sesame seed bun topped with crisp onion rings.

It's a solid one-two punch with a double dose of pure beefy goodness with the sharp notes of bacon, Cheddar and fried egg joining the savory mix. The generous side of crisp fries complete the Double Burger experience at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar.

Chef Egay then draws inspiration from Spanish flavors with the Conquistador Burger (P 830) topped with Spanish chorizo on a cheese sauce draped beef patty with mayo, onions and lettuce on a handcrafted chorizo bun. The smoky notes of the chorizo adds a layer savory notes to the burger, rounded out by the cheese sauce and mayo for another savory burger experience at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar.

The burgers alone are enough reason to visit Nostalgia Lounge and Bar. Other burger options at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar include the Nostalgia Lounge Burger (P 720), the locally-inspired Bayani Burger (P 720) with longganisa and fried egg on a pandesal bun, the French style Ca Va Burger (P 780) with Cognac flame-grilled all-beef patty topped with caramelized onions and blue cheese, the Down Under Burger (P 820) with pure 100% Australian beef and pickled beetroot and the Bibimburger (P 880) with kimchi, gochujang and sunny side-up egg. Nostalgia Lounge and Bar also offers hearty sandwiches like the Club Sandwich (P 650) and Fried Chicken Sandwich (P 680).

Chef Egay goes local with the Manila Pizza (P 650) topped with longganisa, crumbled pork crackling, tomatoes, red onions and cheese with a sunny side-up egg on a rustic crisp crust. The familiar notes of the longganisa and pork crackling combine for a unique pizza experience, made even richer with the cheese and sunny side-up egg.

The flavors of the different ingredients, from the red onions to tomatoes and cheese complement the longganisa and crumbled pork crackling for familiar local notes. Other pizza options from Nostalgia Lounge and Bar include the Margherita Pizza (P 620) and Rustica Pizza (P 680) with Italian sausage and mushrooms.

And when there's pizza, there's pasta. The Seafood & Crab Roe Fettucine (P 720) brings a medley of fresh briny notes from prawns, scallops, fish and squid simmered in rich crab roe cream on soft yet firm fettucine. If you love seafood, this pasta dish clearly has your name on it.

Rich with a decadent mouthfeel, the crab roe cream drapes each noodle with indulgent flavors and a smooth texture. Each bite leads to another leaving layers of flavorful notes on the palate. This one's an absolute must-try at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar. Other pasta options include Pasta Carbonara (P 620), Spaghetti Bolognese (P 720) and Truffle Mac and Cheese (P 620). 

The Beef Tenderloin (P 1,600) is a 180 g slab of premium New Zealand grain-fed beef for a serious lunch at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar. Served with a side salad and peppercorn sauce, the tender beef is grilled to your desired doneness.

The lattice-like grill marks form a flavorful crust with smoky hints adding even more flavor to the beef. From appetizers to pasta and pizza, Asian dishes to steaks, Nostalgia Lounge and Bar has it covered. Other savory mains at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar include the Crispy Slow-Roasted Pork Belly (P 500), Pan-Fried Salmon Fillet (P 1,380), Herb-Crusted Lamb Chop (P 1,500) and US Certified Angus Ribeye (P 2,200).

Cap your feast at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar with decadent desserts like the Nostalgia Lounge Cheesecake (P 620)...

...or go for the classic Turon a la Mode (P 250)...

...with deep-fried sweet bananas wrapped in a crisp spring roll wrapper dusted with cinnamon sugar and topped with vanilla ice cream and jackfruit on a bed of purple yam...

...the elegant Classic Chocolate Lava Cake (P 560)...

...or the Bailey's Panna Cotta (P 360) with smooth panna cotta infused with Irish cream and topped with berries. Whatever you choose, your dining experience at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar ends on a high and sweet note. Here's the full menu of Nostalgia Lounge and Bar for your reference:

A soothing cup of freshly brewed Latte completes your experience at Nostalgia Lounge and Bar. Dine-in, take-out or delivery, Nostalgia Lounge and Bar at Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila offers the full spread in the new normal with the Nostalgia-To-Go Menu.