Somerset Alabang Manila gets you acquainted with your new neighborhood through their gastronomic tours
Somerset Alabang Manila (SAM) – The Ascott Limited’s first international serviced residence in the south of Metro Manila – apart from being a dream executive living space (and making you permanently rethink that hotel booking), now gives you more palatable reasons to explore the south of the metro with its Southern Food Crawl.
Designed to help you get acclimated to your living environment, the Southern Food Crawl is a list of SAM-recommended dining destinations around the area – which beyond whetting your appetite, gets you acquainted with the lifestyle options in your home in the south.
Recently, SAM took Expat along for the crawl in an afternoon inundated with welcome gustatory discoveries and fond memories.
A taste of Spain
The Southern Food Crawl’s first stop was authentic Spanish restaurant Alba in Westgate Alabang. Through their 65 years of serving the best of Spanish cuisine, they’ve perfected their utterly flavorful menu that includes a wealth of paella selections, lengua, callos, and conchinillo.

Expat recommends Albas’ Paella Valenciana (Valencian rice dish with chicken, pork, seafood and vegetables), Paella Negra (Black paella with stuffed squid and shrimps), Chorizo Fritos (Alba’s homemade Spanish sausage – every bite, bursting with flavors), and Gambas con tocino ala parilla (Grilled bacon wrapped shrimps). Although every choice, is a good one at Alba.
Alba also has branches Tomas Morato, Quezon City and Prism Plaza in Pasay City. For more information, visit www.alba.com.ph
Filling station
Following the Spanish feast, we headed over to Schmidt’s x Llucia to sample their soft serve churros. If you haven’t yet, it’s basically a soft serve ice cream cup with two hulking churros splashed in for good measure.
Expat recommends Marco (Banana Nutella) and Lorenzo (Unbaked Oreao Cheesecake) – certain to satisfy any dessert/snack hankering.


Apart from soft serve churros, Schmidt’s x Llucia’s also offers a selection of hotdogs and pasta.
Schmidt’s x Llucia is located at Madison Galleries, 398 Don Jesus Blvd., Cupang, Muntinlupa
Merlion’s Cuisine
The afternoon found us at the Evia Lifestyle Center, where we sampled Merlion’s Cuisine’s Singaporean fare. The relaxed dining outfit has quickly gained a throng of followers for its classic Singaporean dishes that include Hainanese and Soy Chicken, Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork, Dumplings, Cereal Prawns, as well as their refreshing signature beverages.


If you’ve been missing your Singapore grub fix, this is the perfect spot for you.
Merlion’s Cuisine is located at the 2nd Floor, Evia Lfiestyle Center, Daang Hari Rd., Las Pinas
Another Story
Just a few steps away from Merlion’s Cuisine is Another Story – a unique concept restaurant whose every corner was designed with Instagram in mind.


While they have a full menu that includes breakfast favorites, soups, salads, pasta, seafood, grill and oven beef, pork, and steaks; it quite possibly could be their range of sinfully good cakes that… well, takes the cake.
Southern nightcap
The Southern Food Crawl halted at the chill environ of TAS Roofdeck – which, with its cozy rooftop setting, was the perfect spot to end a Saturday of indulgence.
Expat recommends everything about TAS – from their signature wraps, pizza and skewers, to their house blend sangria, wide selection of beers, liquors and spirits.



Make sure you order their BBQ Platter with Pizza and/or nachos, and if you can, nick their entire musical playlist. Absolutely chill AF.
TAS Roofdeck is located at 31 Aguirre Ave., BF Homes, Paranaque
SAM
Somerset Alabang Manila offers a selection of prime apartment choices—studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced residences. As is their trademark, Ascott did not skimp on space in any of them. Studios go up to 27 square meters; Studio Premier units are 43 sqm; 1-Bedroom Deluxe apartments are up to 65 sqm; the biggest 2-Bedroom Deluxe’s are 95 sqm; while 3-Bedroom Deluxe units are up to 128 sqm.
Apart from residential spaces, SAM also has 11 serviced offices for lease that are ready for operation from day one; two function rooms (collapsible into two and three smaller function or meeting rooms, respectively, which can be booked for corporate and social events; and two boardrooms.

Price-wise, SAM falls in the middle of Airbnb and hotel accommodations with Studio daily rates starting at just PhP4,000 nett (for all weekends of April). But on practically all other fronts—service, amenities and luxury, Somerset Alabang exponentially ups the ante.
All units go well beyond the conveniences of home with well-equipped kitchens, separate working and living areas, home entertainment systems, stylish bathrooms and broadband internet connection.
SAMmer Lovin’ Promo
Jump on Somerset Alabang Manila’s special rates for all weekends of April!
PhP4,000 nett/night for Studio
PhP5,000 nett/night for 1-bedroom Deluxe
Inclusive of breakfast for two and complimentary use of recreational facilities
Holy Week Rates
PhP4,500 nett/night for Studio
PhP5,000 nett/night for 1-bedroom Deluxe
Same inclusions as above
 
By TIMOTHY JAY IBAY