COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Here’s something to look forward to this coming payday: a scrumptious and absolutely rewarding dinner at the newly-opened Red Garlic Bistro Café in the hot spot that is Bonifacio Global City.
If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s been raved about since 2011 when it was still located on Katipunan.
Owned by Vince Rodriguez of Peppermills Caterers—a renowned caterer to stars like Kris Aquino, Dr. Vicky Belo, Dingdong Dantes, and Regine Velasquez—Red Garlic has a menu that’s a hodgepodge of great eats with influences of Western, American, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, and of course, Ilocano cuisines (Vince hails from Ilocos). Some menu items from the old branch were taken out, some were retained, and some were added.
With this wide array of offerings, it’s understandable why families and groups of friends opt to spend special dinners here, like when we dined, a long table was set up in the middle of the restaurant for a big family who was obviously in a celebratory mood.
Red is actually an acronym for Read, Eat, and Dine, because its Katipunan branch had a mini library. Sadly, the new branch at The Fort only features a shelf of magazines. I hope they add some more shelves on the second floor to stay true to their edge.
We started with the Wild Mushroom Bisque with Roasted Chestnut & Truffle Oil (P270). This is soup heaven. The creamy consistency of the soup is just superb, complemented well with the bits of the roasted chestnut and the aroma and earthy flavor of the truffle oil.
For the main courses, we had the Korean Beef Stew (P449) and the Ilocos Bagnet (P469). The Korean Beef Stew features US Angus Beef slowly stewed then served with a side of steamed rice. The slow-cooked process is really evident in the dish because the beef is savory tender. And the thick sauce is simply amazing that I could probably finish up an extra serving of rice just with the sauce alone.
I know I’ve been eating so much pork lately, but I just couldn’t resist trying the Ilocos Bagnet, the bestseller of Red Garlic. At first, I was taken aback with the price, but when the plate with the thick slab of bagnet was served in front of me, I was slightly comforted. When I emptied my plate, that’s when I truly felt good about shelling out money. The bagnet was crisped and seasoned to perfection. It was the first time I’ve tried an authentic Ilocos bagoong, and it tasted great and made the sinful bagnet even more sinful.
Red Garlic’s drink selection is also pretty varied, with mocktails, fruit shakes, juices, coffee & tea, and Yakult (P85)—yes, Yakult in mango, melon, strawberry, and chocolate flavors. Interesting, huh?
I wish my tummy had more space to try on other great offerings like the Tomahawak Grilled Porkchop (100 oz. of fire-roasted bone-in pork chop loin basted with mango chipotle and cranberry sauce served with garlic parsley rice, cooked for about 30 to 40 minutes – P599), the Red Garlic Signature Roll (P495), Baja Mexicali Taco Pizza (P359), and Green Chicken Curry (P329).
Despite the fairly steep price at Red Garlic (at least they don’t have service charge), the unique dining experience is well worth it. Now don’t just take my word for it, try it and taste the difference.
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Located at Two Parkade 30th St., cor. 7th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday – 11AM to 12AM, Friday and Saturday – 11AM to 1AM
