When errands don’t go as expected and you want to treat yourself to a nice meal, it’s hard to stop yourself from splurging. Finally gave in and tried Balboa, an Italian restaurant at Edsa Shangri-la Mall. Definitely not for a budget meal.

• 

• 

• 

Interiors were nice and the place was not crowded at that time which helped me relax a bit albeit hungry while waiting for the meal.

Salmon + Truffle Risotto

Earthy and creamy, the rice had a nice flavor of truffle mushroom. Texture of the rice still had a chewy bite while not being too glutinous. Salmon was nicely cooked with minimal charring. Finished the whole plate myself. It’s really a heavy meal considering the carbs on the risotto and the meat on the salmon. Better than a risotto I have tried previously at a nearby mall (they served under cooked rice, twice! You can even see that solid white part when you crush the rice.  Proves that it was under cooked, not just ‘it’s because we used a different type of rice’). It was a quarter of the price of the one served at Balboa.

Dining here was a comfortable experience that comes with a price which you can have every now and then. Still more affordable to go to your favorite fast food on a regular basis, and grab that crunchy fried dish.