Bistro Filipino: Modern Filipino Cuisine by Chef Laudico

After a Filipino cuisine-packed June, I thought I'd find myself taking a break from our national fare. However, after gaining a new-found love and respect for our own cuisine, I started the month of July with an exquisite modern Filipino lunch at the six-year old fine dining restaurant in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig -- Bistro Filipino by husband and wife tandem Chef Roland and Jacqueline Laudico.
Bistro Filipino Dining Bistro Filipino Dining Area

As a fine dining spot, Bistro Filipino exudes a quirky elegance with its warm color scheme, checkerboard floor tiles, wooden tables and vintage pieces that spell nothing short of cozy. At the center of the dining space is also a semi-private section filled with beautiful chandeliers and draped with weaved see-through dividers which strongly reminded me of kulambo -- mosquito net usually used in provinces.

Bistro Filipino Comfort Room Bistro Filipino Private Dining Section

I don't normally post photos of this portion of the restaurant, but even the washroom sparked interest with its rustic red and white-patterned walls, artsy red-tinted lighting and antique mirror. Truly, Bistro Filipino makes a lovely backdrop to an indulgence-filled afternoon. I think my only issue is the ambient lighting which despite providing a lovely atmosphere, poses a threat to photographers without a speedlight.

Trio of Appetizers Ubod Lumpia

First on our table was a Trio of Appetizers which has tasting portions of three pica-picas, one of which is the Ubod Lumpia -- a best-seller of smoked "etag" pork of Sagada and ubod encased in a crunchy coned wrapper and served with an icy spicy vinegar granite. Although I'm not a big fan of lumpia in general, I love the sophisticated presentation, as well as the blend of savory and spicy flavors of this meal starter.

Spicy Tuna Kilawin

The first platter also had a tasting portion of Spicy Tuna Kilawin, fresh tuna with calamansi emulsion, coconut cream, roasted capsicum sauce and virgin coconut oil. Although I'm not much into spicy dishes, I really liked the blend of the mild bitter-hot flavor from the capsicum and zesty zing of the calamansi that went perfectly with the tuna loin.

Gambas Flambé

Completing the trio of meal starters is a Gambas Flambé sampler, garlic shrimps and roasted capsicum in hot flaming brandy. While I love anything with seafood, I found the brandy flavor a little strong for my liking. However, the ensemble of shrimps and roasted peppers was definitely very savory with a slight hint of smoky flavors.

Adobo Pigeon Salad

We then tried the Adobo Pigeon Salad, a healthy meal starter with seasonal organic greens, garlic mushrooms and adobo pigeon flakes tossed in an adobo vinaigrette. This is the first time I've had pigeon in a salad and I definitely dig it. While the pigeon flakes, mushrooms and vinaigrette carry strong, savory and salty flavors, I loved how the veggies give the ensemble a nice, healthy and refreshing balance.

Nilaga Corn Chowder

For soup, we had the Nilaga Corn Chowder, a rich and flavorful bowl of Wagyu beef and its broth, corn purée and crunchy organic vegetables such as French beans, carrots and potatoes. Unlike the original clear nilaga soup, this one has a thick and creamy consistency with small bits of corn. Every spoonful is also an explosion of bold, salty and slightly peppery flavors.

Coco-Loco

Our main course started with Coco-Loco, coconut-crusted Tilapia fillet with tomato curry and ubod sauté. I love coconut-infused dishes, and although it was the first time I've had any food crusted with coconut bits, I found myself enjoying every bite off this fish dish. The crunchy coconut-y coating was very delightful to munch, while its sauce had a nicely-balanced sweet and savory taste which went well with the whole ensemble.

Kare-Kare

We then had half a portion of Kare-Kare. While regular kare-kare comes in a bowl with a separate serving of bagoong (fish or shrimp paste), Chef Laudico added a special twist to this Filipino favorite. Every plate comes with roasted Wagyu layered with green beans, petchay-wrapped creamy banana heart, grilled eggplant and peanut-crusted ox tripe served with a bagoong-infused kare-kare sauce. While I enjoy putting my own dollop of bagoong to a serving of kare-kare, this rendition is definitely more sophisticated and friendlier to foreigners without sacrificing the same old savory, salty and peanut-y taste.

Trio of Desserts Molten Chocolate Cake

After a hearty lunch, it's only fitting to have a Trio of Desserts for a sweet ending. And while I've become more figure conscious lately, I still can't help but crave for a bigger Molten Chocolate Cake as Chef Jackie's tablea chocolate cake with carabao's milk ice cream and dulce de leche is one of the moistest, tastiest and chocolatiest cakes I've had. One of the smallest and cutest too, by the way.

Frozen Brazo De Mercedes Halo-Halo Sherbet

The trio of sweet treats also included a Frozen Brazo De Mercedes sampler, a frozen meringue cake and decadent custard dessert which despite having a nice torched top, was a little lacking in sweetness for my palate. However, the Halo-Halo Sherbet was really enjoyable despite not being overly sweet. This small glass of carabao's cream sherbet with fruits, beans and ube ice cream is not just cute but also very refreshing.

Patisserie Filipino

Aside from the decadent selection of desserts in the restaurant, Chef Jackie also has her own line of handmade Belgian chocolate truffles and pralines infused with indigenous flavors at Patisserie Filipino, a pastry corner inside the restaurant.

Patisserie Filipino by Chef Jacqueline Laudico

I wasn't able to try any of her truffles and pralines. But the next time I visit Bistro Filipino, I'll make sure to get a box of these fancy treats. How can I not be tempted with unusual flavors such as Tanglad, Barako, Buko, Sugarfree Salabat, Kalamansi and Prutas de Mayo? They are all unique truffle and praline flavors that I need to sample soon!

Patisserie Filipino Truffle and Praline Prices Patisserie Filipino Truffles and Pralines

THE VERDICT

This visit to Bistro Filipino has proven me that Filipino cuisine can be modern, refined and even world-class. With Chef Laudico's innovation to dishes of our own, we can now enjoy creative Filipino fare with the same richness and flavorful taste our cuisine is known for. Bistro Filipino also breaks the perception that Filipino food is only for the home. We can enjoy tasty and modern Filipino dishes in a fine dining set-up and get inspired and empowered, even without spending a fortune.

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Ala Carte-All-You-Can Rates:
All Dishes Except Wagyu Bistek and Prawns
Adults - P788++
Children Below 4 Feet - P488++
All Dishes Including Wagyu Bistek and Prawns
Adults - P1,288++
Children Below 4 Feet - P688++

Wine All You Want - P468
(Plus San Miguel Beer and Signature Cocktails)


Chef Laudico's Bistro Filipino, The Fort
G/F Net 2 Bldg. 3rd Ave., Fort Bonifacio
Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 856-0634
Official Website
Facebook Page

54 comments:

  1. wow.. very delicious and very nice restaurant. hmm pero mahal ha.. :)

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    1. It's pricey for an everyday meal, but the prices are reasonable especially when you're celebrating a special occasion! ;)

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  2. The rates are really affordable ah. I noticed that there were only few featured does that reflect the number of choices?

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    1. Nope, they have over 50 dishes to choose from! :) These were just the dishes we got to try for the tasting. Bistro Filipino also offers 3-course, 4-course and even an 8-course degustation tasting menu, if I'm not mistaken.. ^^

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  3. Na-amaze ako sa kare-kare! Haha! :)

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  4. wow! world class! am very proud and very nice presentation sis! Nothing beats pinoy cuisine when it handled right:) Thanks for sharing, I'm interested to visit here and let my husband try real filipino cuisine:)

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  5. Aha! Another fine dining restaurant in BGC. Malapit lang sa amin iyan. Thanks for this very detailed review. Sana ma-try namin ito soon.

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  6. You're right, the bathroom deserves a spot here. It's beautiful!!! :D Plus, I so want to try the corn chowder. I think it's going to be soooo good considering that I love nilaga. Hehehe Also want to try the tuna kilawin. I am a kilawin fan :P

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    1. I think you'll love both the Nilaga Corn Chowder and Tuna Kilawin as much as I did! ;) Give it a try when you're in the area.

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  7. I would love to try Coco-Loco! I can imagine how delicious they are! Because I love sweets I am looking forward trying the handmade Belgian chocolate truffles too!

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  8. Pictures pa lang, nice ambiance na. :) Their food looks really good kaso ang layo naman sa'min tapos ang mahal pa! Pero for sure worth it naman ang mga pagkain nila and yung sweets nila. ♥


    http://spoonfulofstories.blogspot.com/

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  9. OMG! I love Bistro Filipino! I haven't been there in a while but I hope to go back sometime soon. I have yet to try their desserts. Last time we went there, my hubby and I just ordered a few dishes. From your photos, looks like the ambiance and quality of their food haven't changed. If only they can make their prices a lot cheaper. Teehee. :)

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    1. If you can eat a lot then the ala carte eat-all-you-can rate's pretty reasonable, especially for great food.. ^^ I'm actually planning to go back myself, to try more desserts too! haha

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  10. WOW!everything looks so good! The restaurant itself looks amazing, fancy! the only thing is, the portions look so small :-/
    I would still love to try one day!
    xo

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    1. Oh, I've mentioned that these portions are sampler sizes.. ^^ The sets as well as the ala carte eat-all-you-can come with smaller (tasting and half size) but still satisfying portions. Portions are twice the size for ala carte ordering though.. :)

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  11. i've wanted to try this before! love their plating and presentation :)

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  12. I'd love to try this, if only it's not too pricey. :\

    http://www.dekaphobe.com/

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  13. Their plating and presentation is superb.I love the place and get a taste of their menu.

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  14. I'm not a fan of Filipino food in general but the trio of desserts look tempting! I want to try the Nilaga Corn Chowder too...

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  15. omg. i love the ambiance of this resto!! ang ganda lang..
    ang the food looks delish.

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  16. I love the look of the resto. I love restos with a bit low light. Madrama lng ang peg. Loooks so delish and I agree pricey for an everyday meal pero swak to for special occasions <3

    ps: nice photos as always Sumi!

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  17. You got me hooked on adobo pigeon salad! I 've got to try this. I hope they open a branch in Greenhills or QC ; )

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

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  18. Even the washroom looks so cozy! I only wish this resto is located close to where my dorm is in the Manila area. Great photos, as always, Sumi! :-)

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  19. as always, napapa wow talaga ako pag chef laudico!

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  20. I would love to spend romantic dinner in this place:) The food makes me hungry..he..he...The food, the ambiance, the furniture...all speak grandeur !

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  21. INteresting. Looks too good to eat though. Hehehe! =)

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  22. I am officially hungry sis Sumi! The photos make them look so good. Plus the interior looks cozy!

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  23. something that can make me hungry and crave for more. I always love kare-kare. nice posts here.

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  24. I would love to try it here.. I've been looking for some nice restaurants lately.. But maybe i could when im back.. and this post is making me hungry.. havent eaten anything yet.. <3 the interior too.. provides a nice ambiance

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  25. Oh Chef Laudico is really one of a kind, his cooking is really awesome!

    :))

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  26. Drooling over the beautifully presented food. Bakit ba naman kasi the best restaurants are so malayoooo! xD

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  27. Everything looks really delicious.
    The only thing I know about Chef Laudico before reading your post was that he made an ice cream flavor for Selecta. hehe.

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  28. Wow looks yummy!! I love Jacq Laudico! Sobrang Talented!
    Appreciate you posting, great blog. Keep writing! :)

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  29. everything looks delicious + right before i came to the bottom of the post, my mouth is almost watering! i would love to try those truffles + pralines! as well as the tuna kilawin + the delectable appetizers! :D

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  30. Everything looks so pretty! Too good-looking to be eaten. Haha! I'm curious about this place but the prices are a bit steep. Ill just wait for a special occasion first before dining here maybe =D

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  31. im definitely going here!!! i love pinoy food and this is perfeccctttttttttt :)

    Rovie, The Bargain Doll

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  32. hmmm reasonable price for a fine dining filipino restaurant. i wanna try the coco loco, looks delish!

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  33. Wow! I love your posts and your photos! Everything looks so delish here! Thanks for sharing! :) I would love to try this one for sure!

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  34. sosi ang plating ng kare-kare hahaha, i like the tablea choco cake looks so yummy...

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  35. the place is cool and the foods looks deli..

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  36. ang liit naman ng halo-halo nila. hahaha nagreklamo talaga.
    nice review, sumi.

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    1. It's only a tasting portion sis.. :) You can opt for the regular size when you dine at Bistro Filipino naman.. ^^

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  37. ang sarap lahat ng food nakakagutom.

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  38. The place looks stunning, :)
    It's too expensive Hahaha -_- But I badly want to try it! Now I understand why 3.5/5 on price. Btw. Thanks for the Tips, Looking forward to read your other blog soon. :) Keep inspired and God bless!

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  39. wow i want to go to Bistro Filipino and try their food!

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  40. looks expensive but i guess you aint livin' unless you try everythin'. . hahaha! HipHop lang? :)

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  41. i would love to dine with this resto! <3 looks so cozzy

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  42. Chef Laudico? sounds familiar! is he the jusge in master chef?

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  43. I super love Brazo de Mercedes and I would love to try their Frozen Brazo de Mercedes :P

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  44. Wow! I like the cool interior and the appetizing presentation of the food. the food looks so yummy too!

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  45. I think this resto by Chef Laudico is a must visit especially on occasions! So far, I think this is the best resto for Filipino cuisine! Thanks for the review Sumi!

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  46. I remembered eating at Guevarra's by Chef Laudico. I'd love to go there again but it's too far away from our place. Glad to know there's another Laudico Resto that is more accessible. Great stop this holiday season!

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  47. I've watched Kris TV feature Chef Laudico's restaurant in San Juan and I'm very excited to dine in at that branch on Saturday. All the food looked delicious! It must be really great. :)

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