Table Suggestions: Jonesen for Mr. Jones
on 19 December, 2009
My Kryptonite: The Superman Burger
Remember the diner craze of the early 90s?
For those of you not old enough to remember, there was a point in time when would-be Manila restaurateurs were all taken in by the idea of the 1950s diner. It almost seemed like everyone’s mother’s uncle owned one of these faux art deco eateries of chrome and linoleum paying homage to an American era long past. At these local diners, American fast food was king and a cheeseburger with fries and vanilla milkshake were always the meal du jour. Sadly, most of these Manila diners never really got their food quite right. The word bland comes to mind.
In the end, like many other food crazes (pearl milk tea, shawarma, lechon manok come to mind), the diner concept was all but doomed to extinction…
Tater Tots to the Max
Fast forward to 2009. The diner may have been given a new lease on life. The Raintree Group, the same people responsible for Chelsea, Momo and M Café, just opened a restaurant called Mr. Jones. Gone are the gleaming white linoleum, overused deco design and the 50s Americana. In its place, Mr. Jones with its high ceilings, golden fabric-covered walls, sea foam green diner chairs and hot rod red booths is bring a modernized 60s hipster vibe to the old idea of a diner, making it new, more upscale and possibly even cool again.
The Overload
We started with quick, playful appetizer called Tater Tots to the Max 3000(P220). Thumb-sized, cylindrical mashed potatoes snacks are stuffed with a variety of fillings from broccoli to Jamon Serrano and Gorgonzola to walnuts. Deep-fried and dipped in a choice of Cheddar or sour cream and chives, these little ‘tots’ add a delectable crunch to the start of our meal.
Wanting something more Pinoy, we just had to try Mr. Jones’ take on a breakfast classic, the Beef Tapa and Garlic Overload (P295). This dish is not so much a meal as it is more like a small mountain of marinated, pan-fried strips of beef topping an equally generous amount of garlic-infused rice. If that is not enough garlic flavor, chips of thinly sliced garlic garnish this seemingly boundless dish. Did we forget to mention it comes with eggs as well? In fact, there was so much food on the plate that halfway through the meal, A. had to relent–no mas.
I love my pork more than most. So for me to order the Grilled Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Applesauce (P420) was a no-brainer. Maybe it was the maple glaze, the apple and apricot sauce or the bed of spiced pumpkin puree but every bite just felt like a bombardment of sweetness. It was so sweet that I wondered if this meat dish would have been off being placed dessert menu. Where is my porky goodness, Mr. Jones?
What is a diner meal without a deliciously, heart-attack inducing cheeseburger and french fries.?On this diner staple, Mr. Jones delivers in spades with The Superman Burger(P420). A fire-grilled beef patty, topped with melted American Cheddar and crispy smoked bacon and served in between a toasty warm, sesame seed bun, this sandwich is a hamburger lover’s decadent wet dream.
Seating around Mr. Jones
Ground Level
Greenbelt 5, Makati City
Tel: (02) 501-3682,
(02) 501-3683Email: eat@mrjonesrestaurant.com
LABELS: Manila, Mr. Jones, Restaurants, Table Suggestions
13
comments
Post a commentDECEMBER 30, 2009 3:56 AM
Cza said...
Wow.. the food and the place looks great! ;)
http://littlemisswanderlust.blogspot.com
DECEMBER 30, 2009 8:04 AM
ChichaJo said...
their meatloaf is great too!
JANUARY 1, 2010 11:46 AM
gourmandtales said...
i hope the burger is as good as it looks
too bad am not in manila anymore
JANUARY 5, 2010 1:22 PM
Stitch said...
You gotta try the bacon and eggs! Pork belly cured and smoked like bacon, but grilled like liempo! Just as big, too!
JANUARY 7, 2010 9:18 AM
psychosomaticaddictinsane said...
oh gosh, so many people have been giving it good reviews. must.eat.there.now!
JANUARY 13, 2010 7:43 AM
Anonymous said...
eaten here twice. burger was ok, but they didn't have chocolate shakes!!!
second time i tried the reuben... not good
JANUARY 13, 2010 3:40 PM
Anonymous said...
Went there with the family. Place is good but food (referring to tapa, pancakes and shakes) is not that impressive. Ordered tapa, strawberry shake and pancakes because I heard they're all good pero naaah....
You're paying for their quantity and not for the taste of the dish. They all taste ordinary.
JANUARY 14, 2010 4:11 PM
frosh said...
The taste of their food doesn't meet the price tag that they set. Big no no, don't visit this place. Sayang sa pera.
JANUARY 17, 2010 11:50 PM
selle said...
My family and I tried Mr.Jones last night. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good experience. My mom ordered the salmon with brown red rice (?) and it was panis. I even took a mouthful to check (eeek). They had to replace the order which took another 10-15nmins so my mom ended up having it wrapped to take home. I ordered the tapa, it was good but it was too oily. :( Oh, the service was kind of slow too and our orders took more than the time they said it will take to cook. I am not sure if I'll ever come back but I think I might give it another chance since I want to try what you had. :)
JANUARY 20, 2010 3:14 PM
Ash said...
what is the price range of dinner entrees at Mr. Jones?
JANUARY 22, 2010 12:42 AM
Anonymous said...
ate there last night and i don't think i'm going back ever. it took them an hour and a half to seat us (we were only 7) because they really didn't manage their seating well. When we spoke to the manager he was just so rude to us and was no help at all. the food was just okay. nothing great really, i mean their version of herbed rice pilaf is just brown rice! honestly grams serves better diner food at a better price peg.
FEBRUARY 4, 2010 5:04 AM
Chermae said...
Two (2) sundays ago, we went to this restaurant and ordered their famous burger. Since this is our first time to this place (mr. jones) we go for the burger. Unfortunately, burger was not available. We asked what time it will be availabe? The big answer was "WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME". Wow...was a disgusting answer. They should fire the in-charge of the inventory. You promote the restaurant famous for their burger and yet they don't have burger. Besides, they put their clean plates near the floor in which it can collect dust from all the waiters & waitressess that move around the dining area. DON'T GO THERE IF YOU'RE REALLY HUNGRY...IT TAKES SOMETIME FOR THEM TO SERVE YOUR ORDER!
JUNE 23, 2011 1:27 PM
u8mypinkcookies said...
i wanna try this since everything looks so yummy!!!!!!!!