I first heard of Rustique Kitchen with Chef Bruce Lim's name embedded to it when someone posted a job position in the kitchen that's open for hiring, at the Hotelier's page group where I'm part of. My initial reaction was "Wow," yet another badge on Chef Bruce' sleeve, with slightly mystified look on my face, however.
Days after, Chef Bruce himself posted the restaurant's opening at his FB timeline, I guess it's all there in FB, nowadays, that's how super-sonic internet information work. He replied to my comment that the opening of the resto would be on the 22nd of July. Fast track to the last week of July, a couple friend of mine told me that they have been invited to this new restaurant along Arnaiz Rd. As my friend was telling me more about it, she mentioned it was owned by a celebrity chef who co-hosted a TV show - Tablescapes. Now guess what my reaction was.
I knew it, I'm destined to meet my favored chef again, so in a fleeting moment, I said "I will come with you!" Then said to myself "I won't take no for an answer!" What happened next is history.
When I came to the resto, I realized I was a bit ill-mannered, for I didn't make any reservations (though my friends did, of course for themselves), even unsure whether Chef Bruce or his wife Michelle would be there. Either, I'm pressing my luck or I just felt blessed.
I didn't even mind the brisk weather and the chores I left at home.
I came earlier than my friends and just finally knew that Arnaiz Rd, is just Pasay Rd. and according to Merna, Rustique Kitchen is just beside Cable Car. Before even getting inside, the beautiful porch area on my right caught my sight. The blue-gray painted posts were so provençale, together with the wooden chairs and tables, and those hanging planters up-cycled from old window frames, the sight made my eyes glinted cheerily.
Inside fairly describes what rustique may seem to be defined. It's rustic yet contemporary, but evidently sophisticated. Acquiring from the defunct La Regalade French Bistro, the restaurant still managed to keep the warm, earthy tones the latter had, even the gorgeous lighting fixtures, some of the tables and chairs are still intact, with a few re-decorations perhaps.
That one corner filled with sunlight may be the most romantic nook.
The spot I love the most - the center table, geometrically surrounded by four love seats with a set table and antique-looking wooden chairs and on the middle were huge vases filled with ornamental grasses and other elegant adornments.
I really don't know what to expect when I went in, but the staff made me more welcome and as I was looking for my friends, Chef Bruce immediately approached me and I was star-struck all over again, but tried my best to compose my self. I was happy to see him still looking his best even without his chef 's garb on, he look way fitter compared from the last time I saw him, which also makes him look more pleasing, though he still is "The Boss," but without the "badass" character.
It was nice to see his sidekick (sous chef), Monkey, still at his side and his staff's identity still intact. I think it matters to Chef that his kitchen workers are bald or have shaved heads, for what purpose, still I'm not sure of.
The table elegantly set up with simple accessories add to the coziness of the whole place. While those green water glasses really got Merna's attention. Heck all this time, I didn't realize my friend's favorite color is green.
The bar where the beverages are prepared.
Let us now proceed to what Chef Bruce have come up with, to give the place a new light.
According to him, his business partner Tony Boy Cojuangco gave him the freedom to play. Knowing Chef Bruce' caliber in the fusion kitchen arena, his passion for Filipino food and a shiny background -being trained in Le Cordon Bleu in London, AFC celebrated chef, and having own a number of acclaimed restaurants in the past; no doubt he could deliver what Mr. Cojuangco have envisioned. I'm expecting nonetheless but perfection from him.
The Bruschetta with Foie Gras and Jam (P 450), is a perfection for an apéritif (appetizer) one bite and I feel my spine slump and we all chorused with "Ahh." A crunch into the rustic bread sliced enough, summons a wave of sweet and tangy taste from the mango jam it is so covered with.
Chef Didier, one of my lunch companion checking out how his salad is being prepared in front of him. All of us stared in awe as our friendly wait-staff poured over the dressing at the salad greens with finesse. A faux glass square jar hold the greens and was then served over at a wooden plate with silver tongs.
The Tuna Salad Nicoise (pronounced as "ni-shwa") is just one of the four salad creations offered for lunch. They do have separate menus, btw - lunch menu and dinner menu. The French salad is an apt choice for a Frenchman and a good way to keep the ball rolling with more of his restaurant stories.
The seared tuna is lovely to look at and I have regretted not being able to taste it. What's exciting about Chef Bruce take on this classic French salad was the coconut herb dressing used to liven up the taste of the fresh greens.
My order came next after a series of exotic food tell-tales form all three of us. Surprisingly it didn't ruin my appetite for I came prepared for this session. It took about 25 minutes though, but I didn't mind at all, for I know I'm in for a comfort-food treat.
And it was! Such a treat that the sight of the heavy cutting board carrying half of a beautifully baked spring chicken in all its adornments had conjured up memories of my dad cooking up a storm in a meager kitchen with his "Pinaupong Manok" as the star of the meal, during their sibling reunions in our old house which was then made up of woods.
The serving was so huge that I had eaten only half of it and no, I was not willing to let go of it though my tummy is almost full and with the thought of having dessert, so I had it packed to be taken home.
The whitest of all meat that I have tried, is so tender that it easily falls of without my fork and knife nudging too much into it. The simplicity of this dish however can not camouflage the savoriness of the meat, even the sauce is different in a class of its own.
A whimsical take on this dish will also get your appetite stimulated. The baked cornish hen is served with a "suman-like" arancini or rice ball. The sticky rice is steamed perfectly, formed into a ball and rolled in crunchy garlic mince.
Merna on the other hand, decided to have pasta. In all honesty, I found it funny to find LDB abbreviations in the menu which I thought meant as long black dress (LBD), that was silly I know. LDB and duxelle is a plate consisting of slowly braised ox tongue, served en croute with mushroom duxelle. The pasta is served with a thin caramelized onion cream sauce. Duxelle, again another French culinary term means as explained by Wikipedia is a finely chopped (minced) mixture of mushrooms or mushroom stems, onions, shallots and herbs sautéed in butter, and reduced to a paste .
We were then asked if we wanted a cup of tea of the calorific meal.
Going home without ending the lunch sweetly is not an option. Deciding which one to get is not hard for they only have three on their list. Or is it? Well, unless you are undecided, you might be compelled to get all three or just play Eentsy-Weentsy-Miney-Moo.
The couple got Warm Chocolate Tart served with sliced strawberries and mangoes while I got to have Chef Bruce' Signature Buko Pie. This dessert used to be at Chef Table's menu and it has been one of the crowd favorite.
You'll swoon over this after having your first bite. The pie is elegantly served on a goblet is brought on your table still warm.
The million dollar question is the worth of the meal? Cost-wise it's average for a foodie looking for that one-of-a-kind experience with fine dining. Would I come back to eat again? Perhaps, but I need to really save up for a decent meal, or maybe tag along friends to be able to share with the dish and the cost. One dish is priced a bit much from P 225 to up to P 500.
Address: 820 Arnaiz Ave ( Pasay Rd ), Makati
Contact Details: (02) 750 2104
cheap jordans, cheap jordan, jordan shoes for cheap, ugg australia, ugg, wholesale jordan shoes, Cheap LV Handbags, uggs on sale, Bags Louis Vuitton, ugg pas cher, ugg soldes, wholesale jordan shoes, Cheap jordans, cheap jordans, Cheap Nike jordan shoes, Discount Louis Vuitton, air jordan shoes, cheap nike jordan shoes, discount nike jordans, Discount LV Handbags, Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags, uggs outlet, cheap jordan shoes, wholesale jordan shoes for sale, ugg boots
ReplyDeleteshijun 3.21 7
ReplyDeleteray ban sunglasses
links of london uk
links of london jewellery
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet online
true religion
jordan shoes
ray ban sunglasses online
converse all star
kobe 9
burberry outlet
louis vuitton handbags
kate spade outlet
coach factory outlet
tods outlet
gucci shoes
coach factory outlet
kate spade
true religion jeans
michael kors uk
discount oakley sunglasses
m a c cosmetics
michael kors outlet online
burberry outlet
fitflop
tods outlet
lululemon
abercrombie outlet
pandora
kate spade handbags
coach outlet online
louboutin shoes
toms shoes
ray ban
ralph lauren
jordan shoes
coach factory outlet
oakley vault
converse shoes
michael kors outlet
babyliss pro
rolex watches uk
ReplyDeletemanchester united jersey
san francisco 49ers jerseys
atlanta falcons jersey
boston celtics jersey
hermes belt
hermes birkin
burberry outlet
soccer shoes
futbol baratas
coach outlet
nike air max uk
lebron james shoes
philadelphia eagles jerseys
cheap nike shoes
oakley sunglasses
hermes outlet
the north face outlet store
kansas city chiefs jerseys
north face jackets
chicago bears jerseys
chelsea jersey
los angeles lakers jerseys
ugg boots
michael kors uk
chanel handbags
chicago blackhawks jersey
tory burch outlet online
mulberry uk
christian louboutin uk
stuart weitzman boots
denver broncos jerseys
san antonio spurs jerseys
nike trainers
moncler coats
juicy couture outlet
new england patriots jerseys
air jordan shoes
gucci shoes
kate spade outlet
a chang 0618
awful piece of information, I had come to know about your blog from my friend vimal, mumbai,i have read atleast 3 posts of yours by now, and let me tell you, your blog gives the best and the most interesting information. This is just the kind of information that i had been looking for, i'm already your rss reader now and i would regularly watch out for the new posts, once again hats off to you! Thanks a million once again, Regards, cornish hen recipe
ReplyDelete201594dongdong
ReplyDeletenike air max
caoch outlet
gucci outlet
coach outlet
michael kors outlet online
true religion sale
jordan 6 cigar
michael kors handbags
mont blanc pens
cheap ugg boots
michael kors outlet online
abercrombie & fitch,abercrombie outlet,abercrombie kids
nike trainers uk
jordan 4
nike air max
burberry outlet
jordan 4s
hollister co,hollister jeans,hollister.com,hollister ca
uggs outlet
jordan 8s
michael kors outlet
tod's shoes
louis vuitton outlet
abercrombie and kent,abercrombie fitch,www.abercrombie.com,abercrombie fitch,joe abercrombie,abercrombie uk
timberlands
christian louboutin outlet
michael kors outlet online
pandora charms
adidas uk
oakley sunglasses outlet
cheap jordans
true religion outlet
jordan 11s
cheap air max