Cafe de Bonifacio, The Podium Mall
It’s such a shame not to love your own. It’s such a disgrace to your own culture not to patronize the kind of cuisine you have.
Filipino cuisine may not be the best. Perhaps, it may not be recognized at some parts of the map. But facts in the present may still change. Out of all the international cuisine out there, I strongly believe that our cuisine can still sell in the international market and be gain popularity. The potential of our cuisine is way up high.
Like what I believe in, Cafe de Bonifacio believes and is currently working on raising the bar for Filipino cuisine. Establishing Cafe de Bonifacio gives the public a taste of local favorites in a prettified way. A picture perfect plate wherein you’d hardly distinguish if that plate is even Filipino. Its concept, which is to elevate the look of Filipino dishes, reflects on the dishes I’ve tried on my first visit.
Lumpiang Hubad in Pastry Cups (Php 110) - From the typical lumpia that wraps vegetables to a lumpia that bares it all. Its crispy open pastry cups gives an illusion of a high-priced appetizer even though it’s not. Fresh and small vegetable slices mixed with chef’s special sauce even made the dish taste seem pricey.
Ensaladang Talong (Php 140) - The only thing I wanted to eat was the salted egg. The rest, no thanks! I had a strange feeling I wouldn’t like the taste of this ensaladang talong or eggplant even though it was presentably served. One of the vegetables I don’t eat is eggplant. I just don’t like it because of its slimy texture, like okra. Part of my job is to try everything on the table. Thus, I tried it. While eating one spoon of this ensaladang talong, the strange feeling slowly vanished. I actually loved it! I forgot there were talong on it. Oh, and even okra, in which I only found out after eating. It didn’t taste like the ensaladang talong made at home or in other Filipino restaurants. Putting pinakurat vinegar and including grilled saba as part of the ensalada worked for me. With these two local ingredients on it, I was able to eat ensaladang talong.
Citrus Grilled Shrimp Salad (Php 425.00) - Summer in my mouth! The citrus taste of this salad refreshed me. I enjoyed all of the salad toppings - grilled shrimps, arugula, peach slices, cherry tomato, pecan brittle and cranberries. Even the dressing was so refreshing, sweet and tangy peach lemon vinaigrette. 
Beef and Cheese Cannoli (Php 195.00) - The flaky crust with beef and oozing cheese filling didn’t seem to be an appetizer. One serving was rich with filling, heavy starter for me. If you are getting pizza, don’t get their cannoli anymore. We made a mistake. Hehe. 
Tita maris (left) joined us to celebrate my special day. I’m really touched how these people make time just to celebrate with me. Mom (right) really knows how to make me feel down and how to turn that feeling upside down. Haha! I loooove how she surprises me! Never fails!!! :))
Crowne Plaza gave me a birthday cake! Pure chocolate cake for the sweet tooth I’ve got :p
