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Showing posts with label Filipino food in BGC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Filipino food in BGC. Show all posts
Thursday, January 25, 2018
BENCH CAFE in BGC: Filipino Food Elevated Through Technique

With a steady hand at the wheel, BENCH CAFE seems to be a great place to have your Filipino food while doing a bit of sightseeing  in Bonifacio Global City. It's the go to shopping area to bring your balikbayan friends and family just so that they get to get something uniquely Filipino while eating and trying out native dishes that were elevated through different cooking techniques.
With the Bench Flagship Store opening up in Bonifacio High Street just a few weeks ago, they are set to unveil the first ever BENCH CAFE in the world today. Since Bench is known as a clothing and lifestyle brand, they figured that the flagship branch should have something more than just clothes, salon, and other household accessories.
Located on the second floor of the Bench Store in BGC, the BENCH CAFE exudes a relaxed yet bright atmosphere. Snacks are served as well as main dishes and of course drinks.
Since Bench is a home grown concept, Filipino food is a must for their first ever cafe. What would be more Filipino than street food? They have a sort of platter that has squid balls, fish balls, and kikiam partnered with different sauces. Aside from this, they also have paninis or sandwiches that are pretty good. Since their meats and other ingredients are made entirely just for them, guests would enjoy the interesting flavors that they bring out. Surprisingly, their CORNED BEEF panina was a hit. It's simple but delicious and straightforward.
Although the menu has some tasty salads, it's quite better to head on over to something more "sinful". The SISIG WRAP is one of those dishes that must be ordered.
Sisig is somewhat deconstructed and served with lettuce. It's basically a make your own wrap that goes well with your keto diet. The mayoish sauce actually is mixed with a special ingredient that makes everything jive together.
A play on the word Bento, the BENCH/TO are different combinations or set meals that would be perfect for someone that likes to mix and match their viands.
For chicken lovers, they have a number of chicken meals. One could go for the inasal, or the salted egg fried chicken, honey patis chicken, and the adobo. These are then partnered with other side dishes. Notably, the gising gising is really hot and spicy  so be careful. Also, the HIPON SA TALANGKA or shrimp with crab fat is deadly but extremely good. You could also mix and match and upgrade the type of rice that you may want to partner with the dishes you ordered.
The CRISPY TADYANG has a little salty mix to it. It's best paired with garlic rice and their home made pinakbet.
For those that enjoy Kare-Kare, their version used these crispy liempo. Pretty good and perfect with rice.
Another main that you could go for would be the US Angus Short Ribs Bistek. With inihaw na pusit on the side, these is a potent combination.
What really impressed me would be their version of the KALDERETA. Apprently, they cook this for a long time. Making the meat tremendously tender, each bite is a joy to take. If you don't like the normal plain rice, you could upgrade it to dilis, bagoong, and even talangka.
Personally I believe that a visit to a Filipino restaurant will not be complete if they do not have a silog. They have everything that you may ask for. From tocino, to longganisa, to sisig, and even beef tapa, you won't go wrong with any. If you're someone that likes everything and anything, the BONGALMUSAL would work for you. It's basically a breakfast platter.
The drinks are quite a number as well. They were all hand crafted and created to display the different flavors of the Filipino. Furthermore, the desserts were created to make things familiar but still unique. One of them would be the FLAN B. It's leche flan or baked caramelized custard that's topped with some macapuno.
With more than just shopping, this new BENCH CAFE is a must visit place for foodies and guests that want something unique and new. Drinks are well made with the Filipino palette in mind. The majority of the items on the menu are all about Filipino Cuisine as well. So, yes, I will be back because they do offer a lot that's great for families and friends alike.



BENCH CAFE
2nd Floor Bench Flagship Store
9th Avenue corner Lane O.
(Infront of The Spa and near Krispy Kreme)
Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig, Metro Manila



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Monday, July 28, 2014
SARSA KITCHEN and BAR Revisited

Not the First time, but definitely not the last. SARSA has been on the radar of foodies ever since it opened. Negrense dishes were served to different heights and yet everything was simple and done to we like to say as MASARAP or delicious.
Since the family was celebrating Father's Day, my family and I head on over to BGC. Dad loving everything simple and Filipino, I knew he would enjoy this place.
The place was packed right on the dot. 11am it opened and the place was filled with patrons with just 10 minutes. Thankfully, we had the foresight of getting reservation and didn't have to wait a single minute. 

The server informed us of the things that were served quick and fast since the place was full. We figured we might wait a while so we got the PANARA ROLLS (180Php).
Basically togue or mung bean filled rolls. As the name of the resto implies, its the sauce that made the difference. Served with Tokwa't Baboy Sauce. It went well with the deep fried rolls.

The SARSA BATCHOY (275Php - special) was definitely a crowd favorite.
Served with egg, bone-marrow and bacon cut liempo.
The soup was just incredible. Milky and soup. Not too rich but you would love it. The serving size was also good for 2-3 persons. WORTH GOING BACK FOR!
We tried the LECHON MANOK SALAD (240Php).
Served with pickled vegetables and kesong puti. Dressing of Mango Tuba.
I think this dish needed a little more development as it wasn't that remarkable for me. 

To start the BBQ, we had sticks of ISOL (170Php) or chicken tail
Juicy butt!!!
and some ISAW (155Php) or chicken intestine.
It was crunchy and didn't have any of that weird after taste of the usual street food we would have.

In case you haven't been paying attention, this is a Filipino Themed Restaurant, and as such, you can't go on and not order rice. The GINAMOS FRIED RICE (55Php/Cup) was incredible good since the damn good stuff was on top of it!!! Incredible.
Of course, who would go here and not order the chicken (175Php/part).
The flavor was intense to say the least. Pair this up with the sauces and you are good to go.
Let's go on over the healthy, ehem stuff we got. LOL!
The GRILLED OYSTER MUSHROOM (140Php) is definitely for those veggie lovers. It gives the flavor one could get from any of the grilled offerings just that its mushroom. A little disappointed with this as it was supposed to be served as an appetizer but it was brought to our table way way way into the meal.
Another healthy option would be the ROASTED KALABASA with GREEN BEANS and CRISPY DILIS (190Php). Although the flavors were there, I would have liked the veggies mushed up as when we previously ordered this on a previous visit. The texture component could have improved with that.
Dad loves his fish so he got the SIZZLING BAGUS ala POBRE (295Php).
He enjoyed it, so I will take his word.
The TORTANG TALONG with Crispy Sardines and Kesong Puti (165 Php) wasn't right. 
It was weird to say the least. One bite and we left it there. Skip!
Moving on to my favorites and the not so healthy stuff...
The PORK GINAMOS GATA (270Php) was delightful. Yes it was a bit heavy but, the gata or sauce made the flavors jump in my mouth. I liked it.
Another must try would be the SIZZLING KANSI (380Php).
Sort of their go to dish, the gravy is awesome and the bone marrow is fatty and deadly!
Just look at that gooey fatty marrow!!!

The place definitely is simple. Family friendly and is easy with the pocket. Dishes not going above 400Php range, you could budget around 300Php per person. Suggest you get a reservation or go on a non peak hour as the place is easily filled. Parking is a hassle so go early. Limited slots at the back but you could park at the strip and walk.


Previous post click here.


SARSA
Ground Floor, Forum South Global,
7th Ave corner 25th Street , Fort Bonifacio
11am-11pm Monday-Sundays
Facebook
0927-706-0773 For reservations
Disclaimer: paid for our meal. wrote this based on my opinion.












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Friday, March 7, 2014
Sarsa: Damn Good Food

For a couple of weeks now, I usually see myself in the middle of the night driving to this quiet side of BGC to get a fix from McDonald's. (I know.. fastfood and its charms...of being open 24/7 )
 During the wee hours of the night or early morning for breakfast, I get to roam around the place and see a couple of interesting restaurants. One of them is Sarsa.

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Saturday, August 17, 2013
Recovery Food

Recently, I just started a job in a US Fortune 17 company. Yes, I am now employed. Again. LOL! The company is great and they really take care of their employees. The benefits and compensation packages are amazing and are really worthwhile.  Anyway, one of the requirements of the job would be that I go online and work as if I live in a different time zone. Since I was trained and has worked in a hospital with different shifts, my body clock is somewhat steady when it comes to this. 
My only problem regarding work would be where to eat after work. (Huge DILEMMA right? LOL!).
It was great that my cousin works in the same company so I had someone to celebrate my first day at work.We really didn't plan anything but we just went over to Recovery Food just because.
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