Father’s Day of June 2012, I picked Stella Wood Fired Bistro as an option for our family to have lunch and celebrate. The spontaneous me didn’t even think of making any reservations. I just told my family to drive to Fort High Street, that’s it. I was so confident that we will be getting a table for 4 immediately. Upon arriving High Street, I ran, together with Reine, ran to Stella to make a reservation for 4. When the waitress told us that we were 6th on the list, a big “DUH” on my face flashed. What was I thinking? It was Father’s Day, it’s expected that every restaurant in High Street will be packed. Slight frustration that my top pick, Stella, didn’t push through. Fortunately last month, Fran invited The Food Club for a simple get-together dinner. The smile shined through my face after reading her text that it was going to be at Stella Wood Fired Bistro. 🙂 

Lamb Cochifrito (PHp 295) Rate: 4/5

Rocket Room, the restaurant adjacent to Stella, allows customers from Stella to order from them and that goes vice versa. Their Lamb Cochifrito was one appetizer we thought of ordering from the other room. We all liked how simple it was marinated and flavored with garlicky bits. I can just imagine having this for breakfast, partnered with salty & spicy vinegar plus sunny side up egg. 

Butcher’s Best (Php 325) Rate: 4/5

Don’t bother to go lesser than the best if what you are craving for is “meat”. Wood fired pizza topped with homemade garlic fennel sausage, double-smoked bacon, pepperoni, red onions, fennel dust and fresh Rizal dairy mozzarella. If you bring your guy to Stella, don’t you dare get him any other pizza. Go for the meaty one! 

Roasted Seafood Pizza (Php 350) Rate: 4/5

Another wood fired pizza apt for those who prefer seafood over red meat. On top of Roasted Seafood pizza is a bunch of clams, octopus, prawns, lemon cream, garlic confit fresh dill and lemon. More like my kind of pizza. 

Wood Fired Garlic Mushroom Cream Fettuccine (Php 425) Rate: 3/5

Too creamy for my tongue. Porcini dust, truffle oil, Malagos pecorino, fresh lemon, herbs White sauce eaters can finish this bowl because according to my friends who are white sauce fans, this pasta is something they’ll order again when they go back to Stella. The only ingredient I like in this pasta is the truffle oil. Always a good choice for pasta dishes. 

Mediterranean NZ Lamb Shepherd’s Stew (Php 495) Rate: 4/5

An interesting dish we ordered for the night. Pies in the Philippines are not commonly ordered in restaurants. Filipinos stick to the usual “ulam + rice” rather than getting a pie to fix their hunger. I was pleased that we ordered their Mediterranean NZ Lamb Shepherd’s Stew since I missed eating meat pies for lunch or dinner. 

I like the idea of stuffing the meat under the rich taste of pumpkin puree. Shepherd’s pie alone can fill in the hole in my stomach. 1/4 of one order can already satisfy my appetite for pies. 

Stella’s Porchetta (Php 395) Rate: 4/5

If pork is in your mind, don’t make a mistake and get yourself a plate of Stella’s Porchetta. 

Buko & Lychee Shake (Php 150) Rate: 4/5

It’s all about choosing the right kind of blend for that night. I know I made the right choice to pair the dishes I had with Buko & Lychee shake. Freshness! 😉

For the Nth time, I would tell you guys that I LOVE SURPRISES. Never thought that I would be surprised on a random day with The Food Club. When the dishes we ordered were all complete on the table, a group of good looking people approached us and said, “Surprise!”. Everything on our bill was for F-R-E-E. Courtesy of Citibank’s promo for Citi credit card holders. Since Fran is a loyal Citibank card holder, we were treated to a free dinner! 

This is Citibank’s way of saying thank you to all their clients who made them reach 200 years. Happy 200th Citibank! Thank you for your generosity. 🙂 

Instant photos printed. That’s what you call creativity and efficiency! Check out our photos uploaded on Citibank’s Facebook page. 

Aside from our free dinner, we were all given goodies to take home (notebooks, pens and umbrellas) with the Citibank logo of course. 

In every restaurant I visit, I spot good chandeliers or lights. I like the color of this one, I think it will match my room. 

Stella’s Wood Fired Chocolate Almond Cookie Dough (Php 195) Rate: 4/5

I was the only one who had the guts and glorify my belly for dessert. Before leaving Stella, I had to end my dinner with their signature dessert, Stella’s Wood Fired Chocolate Almond Cookie Dough.

Thank you Fran for planning this surprise :p Also, thanks to Citibank’s 200th year promo! That was such a sweeeet treat 🙂 

Cheers,

Location: G/F Bonifacio High Street Central, East Superblock, 7th Ave cor 29th St

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

Contact: (+632) 799-2888 

Budget: PHP450++

Rate:

Food	8/10
Ambiance	8/10
Service	8/10
Cost	8/10
Overall	8/10