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) Rate: 4/5

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) Rate: 4/5

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. 

Crispy to the Bone Hito ni Ka Freddie (Php 358) Rate: 4/5

I’ve tasted similar dishes like Crispy Tilapia in some modern Filipino restaurants around the area. One thing that sets aside is their Tamarind sauce. Without the sauce, it would taste ordinary for me. Just like crispy fishes I know of. Good choice of using tamarind sauce with mild spiciness. Their sauce is suitable in other fried dishes as well. 

Crispy Pata ni Ka Ojie (Php 610) Rate: 4/5

Soft meat yet crispy skin. Even without the sauce, you can munch all you want. The girls on our table forgot about dieting upon tasting this Crispy Pata. One order can feed 3-4 persons. 

Mango & Basil Cooler (Php 95) Rate: 4/5

Green mango shake, my favorite, but with a twist of adding basil on my drink. I didn’t know adding basil on fruit shakes can make the shake even better. 

Ginumis (Php 110) Rate: 5/5

My favorite order! Here I go again when it comes to desserts. My love for desserts is never ending. Ordering Ginumis is the best choice in Cafe de Bonifacio. Their style of halo-halo can compete with the luscious taste of Razon’s halo-halo. Its ice is also smooth like sugar, making it unchallenging to eat halo-halo unlike the others I’ve tried. What I also like about it is the milk used, coconut milk. A perfect cooler for the summer heat and breeze of the Philippines. Oh how I wish they can deliver this to my house. 😀 

Turon de Gregoria (Php 140) Rate: 4/5

Bravo to its presentation! Would you agree? A new way of serving turon! I indulged on this dessert right after taking a photo of it. Their turon doesn’t only look appetizing but the taste will drive you nuts. Although I prefer vanilla ice cream over ube ice cream on this kind of dessert. 

Mango & Latik with Ice Cream (Php 160) Rate: 3/5

Macapuno Ube with Ice Cream (Php 160) Rate: 3/5

Crepe style with Filipino flavors inside; some of my favorite halo-halo ingredients – ube and macapuno. Using ube flavored ice cream didn’t seem bad at all. But again, I’d say I still prefer vanilla ice cream. 

Cafe de Bonifacio claims to be a revolutionized filipino restaurant, not a the usual fusion or modern restaurant we often hear nowadays. This is a different Filipino restaurant setting a high standard for the Philippines. With the use of indigenous Filipino spices on every dish, you’d really wonder how they achieved such yummy recipes.

Cheers,

Location: 5/F The Podium, 18 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Contact: (+632) 636-1407 / (+63) 927-264-0105

Website: http://www.cafedebonifacio.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafedebonifacio

Budget: PHP300++

Rate:

Food	9/10
Ambiance	8/10
Service	8/10
Cost	9/10
Overall	8.5/10