When you need a quick escape away from the reality of your busy schedule and life’s overflowing demands, take a step back in time and relive the good old days at Nostalgia Lounge & Bar. The contemporary classic elegance of Nostalgia offers an instantly relaxing getaway, it’s a hidden gem in Ortigas and a well-kept secret of business executives, professionals seeking refuge from their daily hustle.
Luxury of Space & Privacy
This is my first time at Nostalgia Lounge & Bar and for me, it’s strongest point is its ambiance and vibe. Even before dining, my tired soul was already satisfied. There were other diners during my stay but the place remained peaceful and quiet in a good way.
There is luxury of space and privacy in Nostalgia. The seating is versatile for romantic diners, a get together of family, friends, or officemates, and the bar area for a more chill vibe. It’s a favorite place of long staying business expatriates to hang out in. I like that the lounge and bar are well-spaced out from each other but still interconnected if you wish to transfer in and out before or after a satisfying meal.
If you think you need to break an arm and a leg to experience this luxury, read further to find out.
Off-The-Grill Experience at Nostalgia Lounge & Bar
The main reason for our visit is actually their Off-the-Grill promotional offering. As seen on Joy Nostalg’s Facebook page, diners can enjoy an array of lamb, steak and seafood grilled ala minute with choice of salads and sides for only PHP1,500 nett/person from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Trivia, Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites is managed by AccorHotels. The same group that operates Sofitel Manila. While each hotel and their restaurants have distinct characters, the service, ambiance, food & beverage have that distinct AccorHotel quality.
From the time we walked in on the Off the Grill spread, my husband and I knew for sure that our time, money, and effort coming to Nostalgia Lounge would be all worth it. When finally, we settled down on our table, we were offered the soup for the day. It wasn’t advertised but it is included if you book your Off the Grill dinner. It’s a pleasant surprise to warm us up, especially after a busy day + traffic.
After the hearty and creamy soup, I enjoyed healthy side dishes first like steamed broccoli, sautéed asparagus, and deep-fried cauliflower. The spread of side dishes offer generous varieties from comfort to healthier food options. For instance, there’s pizza, rice, and other carbs but there’s also a long spread of vegetables and salads you can choose from.
Next, I enjoyed butter garlic shrimps that the staff helped me choose. There are other seafood options like squid, tuna, salmon, etc.
The meat section of Off The Grill is unbelievable: lamb, rib-eye steak, chicken, and pork that you can have grilled to your own preference. It’s amusing that you need to place your chosen meat or seafood in a small pan or “kawali” in Filipino. Makes you feel like you are in a fiesta, at least you don’t need wait to be invited and you can enjoy your food your own way.
I tried both the lamb and rib-eye steak. If I had to choose only one, it would be the rib-eye steak then you can enjoy it with red wine that’s also available at Nostalgia Lounge & Bar. Drinks except for their house blend iced tea are not included.
For dessert, I ordered their coffee – not included in the Off the Grill offering but reasonable priced at P150. I heard the coffee beans are from Toby’s Estate. When it comes to coffee, it can make or break my dining experience. My evening cup at Nostalgia was perfect. Right temperature, freshly brewed (not stale), and delightfully served. I paired it with a selection of mini cakes that are included in Off The Grill’s buffet spread.
Nostalgia Lounge Activity: Salsa Nights
On the same night as our dinner, Salsa Manila was being featured by Nostalgia Lounge & Bar. The Salsa Nights happen every Friday and the dance floor is open to anyone who wish to learn and enjoy the Salsa dance.
I like how Nostalgia is able to offer and blend in this activity seamlessly without disrupting the elegant, luxurious vibe of the place. There’s music but other diners can carry on their conversations. Salsa Nights is equally sophisticated and an opportunity to have a good time with other diners if you wish to.
I did at least 3 rounds of Salsa dancing, a welcome activity to burn the calories after enjoying Off the Grill. Diners like a group of family, some tourists, expats, and us all got to enjoy some dancing. It’s a unique experience of grown-up sophisticated fun that’s a welcome respite from the usual crowded and hyperactive avenues.
Worth coming back to
I’ve decided that I will continue to come back to Nostalgia Lounge & Bar, maybe with my friends and family next time, a romantic dinner date, or during a staycation at their hotel. Note that the published rate for local visitors is only P5,000+.
The Off The Grill promotion runs until December 31, 2018 and is available from Wednesdays-Fridays. You can book directly at http://www.joynostalgmanila.com/ or call +63 2 6377888
