Despite living in Jakarta, one of the top searches in my blog is for a resto-bar in Manila called Robot. Since there is so much interest in Manila, I would love to write more about it. I will try digging up pictures and write more about my experiences in the Philippines as well (Boracay!). Here is the über fabulous Salon de Ning at The Manila Peninsula Hotel. If it sounds familiar to you then you must have come across it in New York, HongKong, Shanghai or Manila.
Last December 2010 the door opened to another spot that has elevated the night life of Manila to another level. When my bestfriend told me she wanted to take me to a lounge that would make me feel like I was in Alice in Wonderland, I just had to say yes! Who wouldn’t want to be transported to another world!? =)
The foyer
The main lounge
Salon de Ning is a feast for the senses! There are so many objets d’art and other curious things. Supposedly there are four rooms, though it feels more like five. We were seated in the “Shanghai” room, a recreation of her mansion along the Bund—enticing dark wood interiors, oriental rugs, while Art Deco touches and sepia photographs line the walls. It is a stylish mélange of East meets West, the glamour and style of 1930s Shanghai—the “Paris of the East”.
Adjoining us is another seating area, which if I am not mistaken is the “Fantasy Island Room” that Heart2heart talks about (“reveals her fascination with 19th-century science fiction, particularly Jules Verne and his books Around the World in Eighty Days and The Mysterious Island, and space, underwater and air travel before navigable aircraft and practical submarines were invented.“)
The “Zeppelin Room” which is inspired by her long friendship with the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin who pioneered the design of the first rigid airships the world had ever seen.
“Le Boxing Room”, a shrine to 1937 World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis (who was rumoured to have been madly in love with her)
the “Shoe Room” – with its collection of over a hundred boots, stilettos and sandals, will be her homage to shoemakers who transform ordinary footwear into works of wearable art. This of course was my favorite room. it made me feel like I was in Imelda Marcos’ shoe closet. LOL! (Click here to see pictures of Imelda Marcos’ shoes). Oh and I love that the “chandelier” (below) is made with black lace stockings! Kitschy!
Amazing service and staff. We enjoyed different cocktails (averaging Php 500/drink including shots). I had to order the signature “Ning Sling,” a refreshing combination featuring Absolut Mandarin and lychee liqueur, garnished with mint leaves and a lychee. Pictured below beside Jenn’s Gummi Bear Shot. I cannot help but mention their outstanding wasabi chips! Yumm-O!
Architect/Interior Designer friends, is this what an Art Deco lighting fixture looks like?
By the end of the night we were all slightly tipsy and enjoying the live band music.
I love how blinged out the stage looks!
My favorite part of the interiors are definitely the drop lamps made with hundreds of different shells. They are just so stunning!
Guests can reserve the different “rooms” for a minimum guarantee of about Php 20,000 pesos if I recall correctly, or you can just go early and get tables. If you come in a good number, you might just be lucky enough to be given a room anyway – like we were. =)
- The Peninsula Hotel, Ground Floor, Makati Tower, Manila, Philippines
- (63-2) 887 2888 Ext 6737
- Monday to Saturday, 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- Smart Casual
- Salon de Ning can also be found in New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai (Note: For reservations in the New York branch, 2 weeks advance notice and minimum guarantee is required)
- Click here for a snapshot of the menu from Heart2Heart (not sure if this is up to date)
Bonggaaa!
Super! =D
Approx how much per drink?:)
As I said above…”averaging Php 500/drink including shots” Thanks for dropping by my blog!