Article updated September 7, 2025

Trust me, I cannot believe I’m saying this but I will eat my words and I have changed my mind. There’s something compelling about upper management taking the time to actually cultivate their business and make changes according to how customers feel. They reached out to me, and invited me to dine, try their new menu and experience the difference in the service, the improvement in pricing, and quality of the food.

I rarely ever go back to establishments if I deemed it unworthy of a second visit, and it’s usually because of the restaurant’s lackluster service. I’m not going to sugarcoat anything but a couple of months back, I had problems with the service I received from Laduree BGC.

For those who are too busy or too lazy to finish the article, here’s a quick summary: They saw the criticism and listened to the changes while maintaining the French DNA of Laduree. The dining experience has become much better because the waitstaff is almost a new roster and the service managers have been changed. The food is also better this time but they still have a lot to improve on before they can nail it.

How Was the Service This Time Around?

Let’s talk about the service again. Boy, there’s a big difference when pain points and problem areas are addressed right away. My main problem with the service before was the unwelcoming nature, the lack of attention that the waitstaff had, and how slow everything was despite having over 8 people and 2 managers during service.

My second time around, the staff are much friendlier, and they actually help you to your table right away if you tell them that you’re dining in. Mind you, the staff didn’t know I was coming in and I made sure not to be recognized again. And the biggest change that I noticed was that nobody was standing around or chatting anymore and pretending like there aren’t any customers asking for something.

There are still some delays, but they were fully booked in the dining area that night, so it was understandable that they had to take care of everyone and give them equal attention.

I’d say kudos to the upper management for getting rid of their weak links and making sure that the people who actually worked remained.

Service Rating – 3.5 out of 5. They still need improvements in the service, but this is almost an entirely new team with a different service manager, so I will gladly visit for a 3rd time.

Laduree’s Menu v2

One extraordinary thing I noticed for Laduree this time around is the big difference in the menu. Rarely does a restaurant change for its customers and this is the first time I’ve seen one change for the better within a span of a month. Hell, even the Eggs Benedict which was previously Php. 800 is now priced at Php. 640-670.

The French palate is a completely different world in comparison to the Filipino palate, and yet they took that brave step to experiment and marry the DNA of France and the Philippines.

Price Changes

Did you notice something strange other than the change in dishes? It’s the prices! They are cheaper this time around and they even introduced lunch sets starting at Php. 780 pesos. The lunch sets consist of an appetizer and a main course. For that price, you can dine alone and have a healthy and satisfying lunch. It’s still pricey, but it’s BGC. Php. 700 is a pretty standard price for dining here.

Laduree’s Afternoon Tea Sets

Thank God they got rid of the previous High Tea set because it was just not a winner among the numerous options you can find in BGC, and to top it off, they have completely rolled back the price by Php. 1,000. That came out of left field for me! If I had these prices a few months back, I wouldn’t be as mad and I wouldn’t feel so cheated with my money back then.

They now have three sets of Afternoon tea.

Set A (Php. 2,995) is for casual dining, and according to the management, it’s encouraged for when you’re taking someone out on a date. (That’s just a suggestion, so if you’re happy on your own, you can still try it out.)

Set B (Php. 3,500) was designed for the ladies who are out with their friends, or the gents who also enjoy mimosas. (I don’t judge!) Nonetheless, unlimited mimosas for that price is a steal.

Set C (Php. 3,995) is the priciest one of all, but for that price you can get a bottle of wine to go with your afternoon tea set. Now I’m not entirely sure if it’s part of the selection, but you should ask for the bottle of Bread and Butter red wine. The alcohol wasn’t too overpowering, gives you a very faint buzz after a couple of glasses (the kind you’d feel relaxed without feeling dizzy), and it was smooth. I dislike wine and alcohol in general, but if I were offered that wine, I’d have a glass or two.

I didn’t get to try all different sets, because well, I’m one guy and I don’t got a big appetite. However, for that price and the quality, I’d rate these tea sets a solid 3/5 (probably because I liked the wine, and the value for money this time around). Once I get to try them all, I’ll be able to give you a more accurate rating.

What Dishes Did You Try This Time Around?

Again, I’m not a big eater but I love trying out new dishes. During my second visit, I was able to try a few dishes that I’m sure you’d love as well, though there’s one specific dish that still needs a big improvement. The most notable ones, I will discuss them in detail and give them an individual rating.

Beverages (Coffee & Hot Chocolate)

My first visit at Laduree, I did not hate the drinks. Hell, I’d be willing to have the same coffee again because it was pretty solid. Previously, I rated their Spanish Latte a solid 3.5/5, while I rated the tea a strong 4/5. This time, I was able to try Sea Salt Latte and the Laduree Signature Hot Chocolate.

Laduree’s Sea Salt Latte

I am pretty biased when it comes to sea salt added into coffee because it’s quite frankly my favorite, but Laduree’s sea salt latte just might be my favorite. Do away with the straw, my friends. The best way to experience this coffee is straight from the mug in order to take in all the layers of flavor that it brings. The saltiness is not overpowering. It was creamy and slightly sweet but it doesn’t take away from the natural flavor of the coffee.

I am a big fan of coffee that isn’t too bitter or too sweet, and this hit all the right notes for me. I’m giving a 4.5 out of 5. Don’t knock it til’ you try it!

Signature Hot Chocolate

Now the portion is pretty small BUT this is a hot chocolate I am willing to try again during a rainy day. I’d dare say it’s even better than Auro, but that’s not saying much because Auro is overrated. The sweetness isn’t too overpowering like Harlan & Holden’s hot chocolate (which is a complete disaster in my opinion), and the aroma just soothes you.

I’m rating this a solid 3.5 out of 5.

Pan Seared Chicken

To be more precise, this is Pan Seared chicken with Honeycomb potatoes, sun dried tomatoes, and mushroom sauce. It’s priced at Php. 735 and it’s good for 2-3 people (or one very hungry diner).

According to their CEO, this is his favorite in the menu and I’ve gotta hand it to him, this chicken is packed with flavor. As you can see, there’s a before and after version of this dish because it comes with a tableside pour, and I’m happy with how much sauce they added to the chicken.

Speaking frankly, the cook on the chicken needs improvement because there was one part of it that was overcooked and dry, but most of it was tender, juicy and makes you want to crave more with every bite. I’m going to chalk the slight mistake as a human error, but the pan seared chicken has all the makings of a great dish. What really sold it for me is the honey potatoes. It was sweet, savory and the potatoes were cooked correctly. (Undercooked potatoes have an awful texture you won’t be able to get out of your mouth for a few minutes).

If the cook on the chicken was nailed, I’d be willing to give it a 5. Slightly overcooked, but the flavors are there and the seasoning was on point for the Filipino palate. My girlfriend who dislikes chicken loved this dish and said it was the best one she tried all night, so it’s good to put that into consideration. Final Rating: 4 out of 5.

Crab Cake

Remember the crab cakes from the High Tea set? They’ve made a comeback and they’re bigger than they used to be. It’s now good for 2-3 people and it’s currently priced at Php. 750 (A la carte).

Once again, this is the dish of the evening for me. The cook on the crab cake was on point. It’s crispy on the outside and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients they used. I wouldn’t score this dish any lower than a 4.5 out of 5.

Burrata Salad

It’s currently priced at Php. 940 and it’s good for 2-3 persons. Burrata is expensive per se, so I kind of understand why it’s priced this way. To prove this, I will bring up my review on Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill again. Their Burrata salad is priced at Php. 1,150 and it was a complete disappointment.

In comparison, Laduree’s Burrata salad did not disappoint. Burrata tastes the same for the most part, but what makes a big difference is the garnish. Laduree’s Burrata uses cherry tomatoes and hazelnut pesto. I am not a fan of salad, my girlfriend is, and we both agreed on one thing: this was a great dish.

Would I order it again? Probably if I had some extra budget. But if I’d be dining alone, probably not because again, not a big fan of salads.

Solid dish all around and it deserves the price tag. Rating: 4 out of 5.

Pork Belly Adobo Risotto

On any other occasion, this will be the perfect entree for me. I love pork belly adobo, and risotto is one of my favorite dishes. However, this dish is still a work in progress. The flavors were there, and it’s incredible. The adobo was slightly tangy, and it had a crispy texture that goes well with the risotto.

Sadly, the risotto that night was undercooked. It felt grainy, dry and you can tell that it wasn’t fully cooked through. If they had spent a minute or two cooking it longer, this would’ve had the makings of a star dish.

Until I get to try the most optimal version of this risotto, I can’t give this a fair rating.

Key Insights in the Makings of Laduree Manille (BGC)

As we all know, Laduree is a French brand of macarons and they’re globally regarded as one of the best macarons around. If you’ve tried their macarons in Europe or anywhere across the world, you’ll realize that the taste, texture, and quality is consistent. Why? Well, I spoke to the staff and the management and according to them, the macarons are made in their main branch and they’re flown into the country.

Localization of Prices

After doing a bit of online sleuthing, I noticed that the prices of Laduree in the Philippines is cheaper than they are in other countries.

If you order the macarons online from Laduree.ph, you’d be paying less than half of the price you’d pay if you order it in Laduree.us.

$52 USD is roughly Php. 2900 – 2,950 depending on conversion rate, while Php. 1,150 is $20.30 USD. That is a BIG difference in pricing for the same quality (or almost the same). They did hear us, and they localized the prices so that the Filipino people can enjoy what other countries are having.

French Ambiance & Dining Experience

Here’s where my lack of experience shows. I’ve never been to France, so I have no idea what the setup is like at their cafes and restaurants. But, a quick google search is enough to educate me that the French like their tables close enough to each other that you could overhear the other table’s discussion. I’m not certain if it’s because it builds community, but it’s something you’d have to get used to, especially in a city that enjoys its personal space like BGC.

However, what I do admire are the pristine dishware and silverware they use at the dining area. Now, I’ve been told that they’re all imported from Paris, France to give us a more authentic experience. I have to give it to them, Parisians like to enjoy the finer things in life.

Me, I can eat at a local eatery with plastic spoons and bowls as long as the food is great, but it is a different experience to eat with good dishware as it adds value to the visual impact of the dishes.

High Quality Ingredients

Global brands like Laduree usually have a hard time opening branches abroad for many reasons, and one of the biggest problems they tackle is adapting to the palate of the locals. Laduree, for all its highs and lows, maintains a part of its DNA by importing the ingredients from France while preparing everything locally. The quality of their ingredients is global but I’m glad they make everything fresh and not just ship in frozen goods and heat them up.

What Do I Think of the Recent Changes in Laduree?

Conclusion: Laduree is a Work in Progress and They’re Improving

Not a lot of companies are willing to change because of online pressure and feedback from real customers. But Laduree and its CEO, Karan Gopwani actually took the time to read every single feedback he saw online and made the changes we were clamoring for within the span of August 2025. If this is the sign of things to come, then I’m excited to see the heights that Laduree PH can take French cuisine and elevate the Filipino palate to the same level of western countries.

Very rarely do you see someone of that standing to be so passionate about their business that they’re willing to take the time to sit down with their detractors and hear what went wrong and how they can improve. At the rate they’re going in terms of improvement, I won’t be surprised that they’ll become a staple attraction in BGC.

Revised overall rating: I’m changing my 1 to a 3.5 out of 5.