A modern Spanish restaurant that serves killer sangrias. Filipino food inspired by “Noli Me Tangere.” Japanese food with special flair. Refreshing fruit smoothies. New York-style pizza. A café that offers healthy treats and mouth-watering desserts. A fusion resto that aims to please your senses.
These are just seven of the palate-pleasing offerings at Bonifacio High Street Central, the continuation of retail promenade Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Lifestyle took a gastronomic tour of this development.
Our favorites:
Beso Cucina Vinoteka
The brainchild of the people behind Embassy, Republiq, Opus, Izakaya, The Distillery and Draft Gastro Pub, Beso is a Spanish restaurant with a modern edge. Inspired by chef Carlo Miguel’s childhood memories of Spain, Beso’s menu includes a variety of tapas, tortillas, paellas and other Spanish favorites. It’s a great place for enjoying tapas, drinking wine and knocking back a few sangrias.
Our favorite is the Beso Paella (pork, chorizo, bacon, prawns, squid, mussels and clams); it’s rich and flavorful and the rice is moist and cooked to perfection. We also loved the Shrimp and Chorizo Croquetas (shrimp and chorizo Pamplona croquetas flavored with fresh herbs and served with romesco sauce).
And their killer sangrias are enough reason for us to go back.
Bestsellers: The paellas, the croquetas, the cured meats (Jamon Serrano, Chorizo Iberico, Lomo Iberico)
Other must-orders: The Pinxtos Mouronos (grilled shrimp, pork, beef, chicken or lamb kofta) and the Manchego, Jamon and Arugula Flat Bread.
More reasons to go: Their happy hour lets you drink all the sangria you want for P500. And Beso’s Spanish label wines start at just P450 a bottle.
The hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. from Mondays to Saturdays; 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays
The digits: 6212554; 0926-6149695
Elias by Crisostomo
Inspired by José Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere,” Elias takes its cue from the Spanish colonial period. But the restaurant serves not just Spanish-inspired Filipino classics, but also unusual dishes and daring fusion experiments by chef Florabel Co-Yatco.
Our favorites: Crispy Beef Tapa, Pinoy Paella and Ginataang Halo-Halo
Bestsellers: Crispy Pata, Tinolang Matanglawin (tinolang manok with papaya and buko meat), Kare-Kare ng Kura (special ox-tail stew with vegetables), Adobong Cordero (served with crispy kangkong and kesong puti), Tarsillo Squid Al Jillo
Other must-orders: Tinapa ni Tiburcio (tinapa and salted egg wrapped in crispy lumpia wrapper), Suman at Tsokolate (these bite-sized suman pops give a Filipino twist to a European favorite, the fondue), Legazpi (tempura-style prawns stuffed with laing and served with crab-fat sauce), Saturnina (pizza with adobo flakes, mangoes and egg)
More reasons to go: Merienda—from arroz caldo and dinuguan to banana-cue and Bam-I Guisado.
The hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. everyday
The digits: 6213195
Geisha by Red Kimono
Owner Michael Dargani believes in creating an impact. “We want to raise the bar with Geisha. Our vision was to set the standard for contemporary Japanese cuisine in the country.”
That is why he brought in Japanese interior designer Chako Hirayama to help design Geisha’s look. That’s why their sushi is served with LED lights. That’s why the staff wears designer uniforms.
But Michael also knows that the biggest impact should come from their kitchen, which serves Japanese culinary delights from the menu created by chef Tom Hines and Ramon Antonio.
Our favorites: The Spider Roll (crunchy soft shell crab, kani salad, oborro) is excellent—we’ve found ourselves dreaming about it. The Rock Shrimp Tempura Salad is a must-try—we love the creamy sesame dressing.
Best sellers: Sashimi (served with LED lights—a cool touch), the Skewered Pork 72 (cooked for 72 hours), the US Angus Beef Teppanyaki and Kurobuta Gyoza.
Other must-orders: The Japanese A5 Wagyu. “It’s the highest grade of Japanese Wagyu in the country,” said Michael. And the Miso Glazed Gindara with Edamame Risotto, Geisha Carpaccio and Salmon and King Prawn Roll.
More reasons to go: The drinks. Geisha’s extensive drink list includes sake, sake cocktails, wines, beers and gourmet tea.
The hours: 11 a.m. to midnight
The digits: 6213196
Jamba Juice
With the punishing heat of summer, Jamba Juice’s fruit and dairy smoothies are exactly the refreshing treat that you need. Apart from being chock-full of antioxidants and vitamins, the smoothies are filling enough to be an afternoon pick-me-up or a “liquid lunch.”
Our favorites: The Acai Supercharger’s main ingredient is the Acai berry, known for its high antioxidant content—perfect for post-hangover remedy or to help protect your skin.
Bestsellers: The Caribbean Passion—a concoction of passionfruit mango juice, orange sherbet and peaches brings you back to the beach. For the busy people who forget to take their vitamins, smoothies can be mixed with different powder boosts for healthier sip.
Other must-orders: Keep your daily running regimen on the right track by capping it with Jamba Juice’s fruit and oatmeal bowls. They use steel-cut oats, which has higher fiber content than the regular stuff, and the oats are slow-cooked in soymilk—an ideal breakfast for the figure-conscious.
More reasons to go: The interiors are cozy and plush, with convenient electrical outlets for those who need to work.
The hours: 7 a.m. -11 p.m.
The digits: 7849000
Nolita
When you’re craving New York-style pizza, this is the place.
Nolita, created by the group behind Il Ponticello, Borough and Kanto, was named after the famous food district in lower Manhattan. Chef Cuit, who was born, raised and trained as a chef in New York, serves pizza slices that will transport your taste buds to the Big Apple.
Our favorites: You can’t go wrong with pepperoni, it’s a classic. But we also love the Chicken Parmesan pizza. Chef Cuit wasn’t kidding when he said they don’t scrimp on ingredients—their pizzas are loaded with toppings. And we don’t just love Nolita’s pizzas because of the generous toppings, their crust is also perfect. It’s not too thin and is the perfect combination of crispy and chewy.
Bestsellers: The pizzas, of course. Try the Spinach and Artichoke, the Wild Mushroom Walnut Ricotta and the Wild Mushroom Walnut Blue Cheese. Try them all and don’t forget—eat with your hands.
Other must-orders: Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, Stovetop Mac and Cheese, and the burgers
More reasons to go: The beer. Nolita serves imported beers and mojitos.
The hours: 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and Mondays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. on Tuesdays to Thursdays; and 11 a.m.-5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
The digits: 0917-5322612
Slice
Slice started as a dessert cart, but it’s definitely more than that now; it’s more than a dessert place. Mom/triathlete Sen. Pia Cayetano put up the café to share her passion for healthy eating.
But, as her menu shows, she’s not against occasional self-indulgences either.
Our favorites: Baked Brown Rice (pulled barbecue chicken strips on brown rice covered with cheese) was so good. We’re big fans of the Turtle Pie, too. It’s a must-try.
Bestsellers: The Citrus Burst and Morning Glory muffins and the Choco Yema cupcakes.
If the Choco Yema cupcake doesn’t hit the spot, go for its bigger sibling, the Double Choco Yema cake, with moist chocolate base, yema, and distinguishing topping, chocolate ganache icing that you will want to rub against your face, it’s so good.
Other must-orders: The paninis (Turkey, Hamon at Quezo, Pizza, Tuna Melt, Quattro Formaggio), the Seafood Puttanesca. The Oatmeal Choco Bites are crunchy cookie drops that taste so good you’ll be amazed that they’re not sinful at all. The bites are made without milk, little egg, with more oats than flour and sugar. It’s a healthy alternative to dessert and works well with a cup of coffee.
For those who need to fuel up before their twilight run, don’t miss the senator’s version of champorado, which they call “sliced champorado” —a platter of granola with complementary bowls of Belgian chocolate, peanut butter and banana.
More reasons to go: The grab-and-go section. It’s perfect for days when you just need to get a quick healthy snack.
The hours: 9 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and 9 a.m.-1 a.m. on weekends
The digits: 5651998
Sutra Restaurant and Bar
“We want Sutra to be pleasing to the senses—from the silverware to the chairs to the glasses. We want to give our customers the best experience possible. We even change the music depending on the hour,” says Kevin Prasad, managing director of Sutra.
Sutra is the newest restaurant of the group behind Duo, Zuni and Asya. This upscale dining venue serves intercontinental, Mediterranean and Pan-Asian food.
Our favorites: We loved the Firecracker Sushi (spicy tuna, unagi, scallions, tobiko)— it offered the perfect combination of spice and crunch. The Sutra Salad (organic greens, grilled prawns, jicama, pomelo, green mango, apple, cilantro-plum sauce) was refreshing, the perfect summer meal. The Deep-Fried Lamb Spareribs with Honey-Mint Sauce (served with brown rice-couscous risotto and a petite side salad) were delicious—the meat was tender, and the thin, crisp skin was something else.
Bestsellers: The Chilean Seabass, US Prime Rib Eye, Fillet Mignon and Prawns
Other must-orders: Grilled US Diver Scallops (served with mushroom duxelle, spinach ravioli, truffle beurre blanc) and the Dessert Sampler (moist chocolate cake roulade, hazelnut ice cream, fruits)
More reasons to go: Sutra brings in a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays for extra entertainment
The hours: 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. from Wednesdays to Saturdays
The digits: 9253565
