Our Exquisite Dining Experience at Uma Nota, Manila’s First Brazilian-Japanese Restaurant & Bar
Captivating architecture, tasteful design, and delectable cuisine inspired by Brazilian and Japanese culinary traditions await you in Uma Nota, an up-and-coming Brazilian-Japanese restaurant and bar in Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.
Uma Nota, which translates to “One Note”, not only offers food that fills your appetite, but an experience that satisfies all five senses. And we were lucky to have experienced it first-hand before its soft opening on 18 Feb 2024.
Our Uma Nota journey begins
The entrance is conveniently located beside the main driveway of Shangri-La The Fort on 30th Street where the logo of Uma Nota will hardly go unnoticed. Upon entering, we passed through a masterfully crafted arched walkway that set the tone for the unique gastronomic journey we were about to embark on.
We were then guided to what looked like a secret door where stairs led us down to the main restaurant. Even this flight of stairs was designed to show the restaurant’s architectural beauty. The steel bars allowed us to gaze at the reclaimed hanging tree suspended from the double-height ceiling. You have to see it for yourself!
The Living Room
Descending to the main floor of Uma Nota, we arrived at The Living Room where we saw three massive sculptural arches with intricate lighting, making it the perfect facade to the room’s overall design.
The Living Room also houses a raised VIP section with a central DJ that can transform any dining experience into a more festive atmosphere later in the evening.
The Bar
Adjacent to the living room is The Bar, designed with a mirrored ceiling and polished copper mated with soft finishes. We were instantly drawn by the expertly concocted cocktails and an array of spirits that our hearts desired.
Private Rooms
Exploring inside Uma Nota, we felt that everything was carefully designed and executed the way it was envisioned by the owners.
We were then escorted to our seats located in one of the private rooms. Our attention was caught by the shelves designed with vinyl records and mood lighting, which prepared us for the kind of dining experience we were about to partake in.
Start of our gustatory experience
Servers who were all smiles helped us to a selection of cocktails with a perfect harmony of ingredients — refreshing with an ideal level of alcohol that made us want more.
Interesting selection of cocktails
One of the must-try cocktails that we enjoyed was the Liberdade, a blend of pisco, green pepper, almond, pistachio, lime, and cucumber.
But our personal favorite is the Mesukaru, a blend of Mezcal, Amaro Averna, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, chocolate bitters, and cherry wood smoke.
Other notable drinks to try are Red Flag, Uma Nota Cup Noodle, Kyoto Sour, Coco Verde, and Maracuja. See full list of Uma Nota cocktails and wine here.
Indulging in Brazilian-Japanese cuisine
Exceptional is the only word to describe the food that was served.
For starters, we were served with mouthwatering appetizers. The Coxinhas de Frango is a signature dish of chicken and okra croquettes served with homemade chili sauce. It was a good balance of crunch and softness that played a symphony on our palates.
Dadinhos De Tapioca, a Brazilian tapioca with a mix of cheese dice satisfied our taste buds as well.
We loved the Tataki De Carne De Sol, a lightly cured beef tenderloin with smoked ponzu, black garlic mayonnaise, and crispy shallots. It was smoky, savory and sweet that melted in our mouths.
After enjoying an array of appetizers, we were then served the main course.
The A4 Kumo-Oh Japanese Wagyu Striploin was cooked to a perfect medium rare — soft and tender with a touch of smokiness. The steak was served with garlic rice and Uma Nota Salad, which was a refreshing mix of greens, mango, tomato, avocado, and wasabi ponzu dressing.
Finally, the dessert — it was a show on its own.
A ball of cotton candy covering the Abacaxi Churrasco and Matcha Layered Cake was placed on the table. The server then lit a torch that quickly melted the cotton candy, leaving hardened candy on top of the ice cream and cake.
Both desserts complemented each other. The Abacaxi Churrasco, a roasted pineapple, coconut ice cream topped with almond coconut crumble and Japanese whisky caramel sauce, was light, sweet, and refreshing.
The Matcha Layered Cake, a Hokkaido milk ice cream-based cake, has the right creaminess and softness, creating a harmony of luscious soft texture.
Of course, these are just some of the many culinary delights we tried from their extensive menu: mains, desserts, and drinks.
Indeed, Uma Nota Manila offered an exquisite dining experience from start to finish. It’s a staple of Brazilian-Japanese cuisine that will surely thrive in the culinary scene of Metro Manila.
For inquiries and reservations, visit Uma Nota’s official website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
*Special thanks to Uma Nota for inviting Chill and Travel to an exclusive media night. All images courtesy of Kevin Romas.
