Bonifacio High Street Central
2nd Level, C2 Bldg.
Bonifacio Global City
August 13, 2014
After my 2 hour routinely jogs along Bonifacio Global City, I headed straight to this ever tempting, unpretentious place, -no time to waste-. Warding off AC rooms, my preference was the comfort of the Al Fresco to allow my body to cool down and adapt slowly to the temp following the adrenalin run.
I've tried Lorenzo’s Way at Greenbelt 5 in Makati City and I would truly say that it was a total dining experience. Let’s just try if we can generate point of comparisons.
Lorenzo’s Way is among the many full service resto owned and operated by the LJC Group of which it includes Abe and Larry’s Café & Bar @ Serendra, Fely J’s @ Greenbelt 5, Café Havana @ Greenbelt 3 and more in the Metro. You can always expect better quality Filipino food from a restaurateur who is seasoned through time and experience.
As you enter the place, servers start off with that very friendly and warm gesture ( nice.. a friendly place for an overly friendly me..)
The Sous Chef recognized me as a frequent at their Greenbelt branch. His curiosity prompted him to ask if I am with someone doing the blog. Must say that I am better off alone when doing food critique. No nonsense to worry about, unless it’s the closest of food buddies. Opinion of non-bloggers is preferred and often help though. I am definitely not a pro but food is just a passion and I am simply inclined to scribble a few notes relating the whole dining experience. After that sumptuous meal I breathe a sigh of relief – gratifying reflection that after all there is more than being doomed with the eternal misery of workload at your office.
Great things that they have brought to this place are the ambience with cozy interiors that are warm and modern. The place is dressed beautifully – simple – elegant. I always have a strong interest on simplicity. Just like in a person, simplicity is an extraordinary beauty.
As to the seating capacity, the main dining can accommodate close to a hundred, and probably less than a hundred with the al fresco.
Soups have always been part of Filipino dining. Opting to try the Bulalo, a hearty beef shank and marrow soup with vegetables but it serves for 4 people so I just settled for the Onion Soup Gratinee – its an onion soup with gruyere and crusty bread grain. The appetizer was a pretty sight so I had the Baked Cheesy Spinach and Banana Blossom Dip – it’s a creamy spinach banana blossom mushroom and cheese dip topped with roasted garlic and grated parmesan cheese.
For the main course, the Binukadkad na Pla Pla was ever endearing – it’s a deep fried whole tilapia served with Pampanga style fermented rice on balobalo and fresh mustard leaves. I also tried the all time favorite KKK – and no.. no.. It’s not the Philippine revolutionary society during the 19th century, nor has affiliation with the racist group Ku Klux Klan. KKK is short for Kare-Kare Klab – its an oxtail, tripe and vegetable in a peanut flavored sauce.
I couldn’t take my eyes off on the whimsically strange vegetable rice so I tried the Bamboo Rice – its fried rice with bamboo shoots, shrimps, and chicken and wood ear mushroom. And the Kangkong Lechon was a must – it’s a sautéed vegetable with shrimp paste.
And now the Knockout Knuckles – Crispy Pata the best I ever had in an incredibly long time. Crispy yet not at all bland. Melt-in-your- mouth tender with crackling crisp. Some are usually a tad bit overcooked and it leaves the meat dry and stingy but this one is completely superb. This fatty dish is flavorful creating a juicy salty mess.
All the delectable dish at my table was a spectacular sight. Envy all of you envious people around but this is my reward. To compliment all the protein that was introduced to my body, a nice dessert concluded my exploration. The Banana Chocolate Volcano was too perfect – it’s a baby bunt chocolate cake topped with roasted bananas and smothered with chocolate ganache with coffee.
I was offered a coffee but thanks, I am no coffee person. Another offer was a sparkling – Cuvee Dom Perignon. Take this! It costs Php 13,450.00 a bottle, well BIG no.. WTF! to that. Since they assumed I was a regular, a complimentary -by the glass- was given for me to try.
In a nutshell, they have maintained a steadfast reputation in offering one of the best Filipino cuisines. Clearly, this is a place where people could meet spontaneously and enjoy each other’s company with a setting that includes conviviality. Prices are decent and friendly to Filipino pocket. You will surely come back for a second serving. It will not take more in convincing me to go to this place all over again. It is at Lorenzo’s Way – where taste matters -.
