Around Town: Maple Restaurant - Serving Meals with an Enchanting Twist

Perhaps one of the most heartwarming memories a child could ever have is being read a fairy tale by his parents. The familiar plot fabric of paupers and princesses, lords and castles, set in a kingdom with a lush countryside—it all rings a sense of comfort and excitement.

And magic. What fairy tale would be complete without that element of the impossible turned possible? Take the story of Cinderella, for instance: mice turned into horses, a pumpkin transformed into a splendid carriage, all returning to their former selves once a spell breaks.

And just like the effect fairy tales have upon us, so can a family’s dining experience evoke these feelings of wonder and delight in us. One of the culinary offerings at Shangri-La Mall’s new East Wing, Maple Restaurant, from the Pancake House Group, transforms everyday dining into an enchanting encounter with loved ones, whether young or old. 

“It has a very country, homey feel,” says Dwight Ashton, Maple’s project leader. “It’s stylish and comfortable, but nothing too fancy. You can come kick off your shoes here, relax and spend a lot of time.”

The whole restaurant was built upon the concept of a fairy tale revolving around maple syrup, the story of which is displayed on one of the establishment’s walls. “Everything you see came from this story, this one image,” explains Ashton. “It’s really perfect for families. We wanted to keep the fairy element really subliminal. It’s here in little bits around the restaurant.”

 

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The many colors of maple syrup, from orange, maroon, honey to champagne yellow bathe the interiors in a golden hue. Different kinds of maple syrup are displayed on cupboards on the walls. Even the restrooms reflect the idea of a “maple fairy”; the respective doors for the ladies and the gentlemen bear male and female fairies. The tables and chairs, which can seat a total of around 66 customers, evoke a feel of the Elizabethan age.

Even the food takes inspiration from the fairy tale vision; the offerings are divided into chapters and the menu looks like an old, thick story book you’d chance upon a library. 

The magical theme is translated onto your plate, naturally. Maple is proud to use only the freshest of ingredients, and the dishes -- a mix of American and Pinoy comfort food -- strike a balance between taste and portion, presentation and value for money. 

Banana Pecan, P335

 

As Maple is a sister restaurant of Pancake House, its specialty would of course also be pancakes, made extra special for discriminating patrons. “Our batter is made fresh for you,” emphasizes Ashton. “We don’t store it in the fridge. We whip it when you order it.”

 

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But Maple’s charm on your palate extends well into other gustatory treats—to name a few: a local favorite, champorado; tapa using prime rib; kid-friendly appetizers; soups; salads; sandwiches; to pasta and mouthwatering meat entrees. 

Prime Rib Tapa, P520

 

Country Iced Tea, P105

 

Chili, P250

 

Huevos Rancheros, P340

 

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Drippin' Baby Back Ribs, P850

 

The Big MAPLE Breakfast, P540

 

French Toast, P520

 

Chapter Five on their menu is called “Fairy Tale Endings”; a charming way to describe their dessert selection. But for us, it also sums up the feeling at the end of each Maple dining experience—wonderful and magical.

Bourbon Bread Pudding, P220

 

Maple Restaurant is located at the lower ground floor of Shangri-La Plaza Mall’s East Wing and is open during mall hours. Another Maple branch can be found at the 2nd level of the San Antonio Plaza along McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati. Watch out for their next branch, opening soon in Alabang Town Center.

 

Photos by Vincent Coscolluela