For a carb-loving country such as ours, it’s a shame to see how much we ignore pies. Sure, they aren’t as smooth on the tongue as good Jasmine rice, but it’s an equally good partner to saucy meat stuff and lonely nights.
At Bondi & Bourke, a bustling food joint in lively Salcedo, these packed pastries finally get their time to shine. Sharing the spotlight is its place of origin: Australia.
“In Australia,” explains chef and owner Wade Watson, “every 7-Eleven, every Ministop, every restaurant, every bakery has meat pies. It’s what you eat while you’re driving in the car, it’s what you eat on break.”
Now, we might not be living in the land down under, but with pies as generous as Bondi & Bourke’s, it’s impossible not to pick up habits such as those.
Eat like an Aussie and start with the Classic Steak Pie. It’s the ultimate first-timer bait. How can anyone resist braised Australian beef that’s teasingly peaking at the liberal cracks of hot, steamy dough? If you did, that’s just disrespectful. (No offense to vegans and vegetarians out there!)
But we’re not joking when we say this place is serious about its meats. If you don’t fancy pies, opt for burgers. The Australian burger boasts of rib-eye steak that bulges pompously between bacon, egg, cheese, onions, lettuce, and tomato.
For the pickier eaters, there are loads of other options: the Classic Chicken Parma, Bourke Salad, and other English-inspired sweets.
“We don’t want to intimidate anyone,” Wade said. His food—often served in generous portions—tells otherwise.
When asked what makes all these Australian, Wade offers extra food for thought. “It can be whatever you want it to be.”
For now, then, this might be your new favorite way to gobble up meat.
Bondi & Bourke is located at G/F Cattleya Building, Salcedo St., Legazpi Village, Makati City. Opening/closing hours/days For more information, visit their website.
Source: Pristine L. De Leon for Southern Living, “Grub from Down Under,” September 2015.
Photo by Patrick Segovia
