One of the important lessons I am learning as a woman is the essence of Waiting. Patience is one virtue God imposes on my quiet time since I was a teenager. He proclaims that His timing is always better than mine. In fact, it’s the perfect timing. But that fact about waiting was so difficult for me to grasp and comprehend. I didn’t understand it at the start. There were series of challenges I faced where He kept on teaching me lessons all about waiting. One part of it was about relationships. Not getting into details but when you neglect God and put your desires ahead of His, things will not work accordingly. It could workout but not the way God wants it to be.

Months ago, Smokin’ Hot BarBQ invited us for dinner. The hype was all about their bacon belly and other smokin’ hot dishes. Every blogger invited was so thrilled about this new venture of Bistro Group, the first Filipino restaurant of Bistro Group. Through our exchange of e-mails, every person on that e-mail couldn’t wait any longer to taste the Filipino dishes the restaurant has to offer. One morning, an unexpected news flashed on my screen and had a message on it saying Smokin’ Hot BarBQ dinner is cancelled. A sigh on my face reflected right after reading the text message. I kind of waited for this evening, to enjoy a bunch of dishes with my fellow food bloggers. After that announcement, saw my e-mail flooded with messages from other bloggers how they felt about it. Everyone had the sentiment, I could hear them say “Awwwww…”.

It may sound weird to incorporate my personal life about waiting and this little story about Smokin Hot BarBQ together. But for some reason, the fact about waiting made me remember how this lesson spoke to me in different ways. For this instance, I can say waiting for the right time (waiting on God) is rewarding. There is blessing at the end.

Bringing in the brighter news, I shall bring you the bacon! Finally, after that long wait, we landed at Bistro Group’s newest baby, Smokin’ Hot BarBQ at Greenbelt 3.

Crispy Bacon Belly (Php 220) – The dinner started with a bang. This was the first appetizer served to entice and welcome us at Smokin’ Hot. I was the only weird one who wasn’t that enticed since bacon is not attractive to my palate. For Oliver, it was really crispy and tasty, more salty when you add the given black salt on the wooden plate. They chose the good part with less fat and more meat to taste. Bacon belly was the most salable dish on our table.

Ensaladang Mangga (Php 85) Rate: 3/5

Shredded to capture the taste of bagoong and tomatoes on green mangoes. Serving size is good for 1-2 persons. Pretty affordable for an appetizer alone.

Kuhol sa Gata (Php 215) Rate: 4/5

Its ‘gata’ was a bit spicy, just like how bicolanos create their spicy coconut dishes. This appetizer can serve as a main course with its ‘gata’ as your sauce to plain rice. I’m particular with sauces, this one caught my attention just like how crispy bacon belly caught others’ attention.

Pako Salad (Php 135) Rate: 4/5

Pako is a type of fern that is normally used as a main ingredient in salads, just like this one. It is topped mixed with tomatoes, native white cheese, grated coconut and homemade vinaigrette. Pako Salad is probably the healthiest we had at Smokin’ Hot.

Pork Sisig Wraps (Php 225) Rate: 4/5

From healthy to unhealthy, here goes the Pork Sisig in wrap form. A Filipino restaurant cannot survive without Filipino’s favorite sisig. I couldn’t imagine sisig out of the picture. As expected, sisig tasted like how sisig should taste. The iron dish always makes any sisig better, as it is served sizzling and hot.

Grilled Pig’s Ear (Php 265) Rate: 3/5

Barbecue sauce is noticeable. I forgot I was eating a pig’s ear when I tasted the barbecue marinade, special sauce by Smokin’ Hot. Looks like “pulutan” or food partnered with beer for those who go out for drinks.

Bulalo (Php 445) Rate: 4/5

 Tagaytay’s bulalo? Not really! Smokin’ Hot’s bulalo is not that far from how you expect Tagaytay’s bulalo is supposed to be. Why drive to Tagaytay if you’re only looking for their bulalo? You can drive to Smokin’ Hot Barbq and get the results you are craving for. The soup and the tender bulalo meat is irresistibly good.

Sinampalukang Manok (Php 260) Rate: 4/5

Another soup choice you have is this Sinampalukang Manok, which I also loved. Quite sour and flavorful, with generous amount of chicken meat. This is one of the choices you should not miss out at Smokin’ Hot.

Pork Barbq (Php 220) Rate: 4/5

Smokin Hot’ special marinade is one thing they are proud of. It’s traditionally sweet and zesty once you take a bite.

Dinuguan (Php 225) Rate: 3/5

Aligue Rice (Php 155) Rate: 4/5

Put this away from senior citizens or else… This might cause you trouble. But for those who can eat whatever they want, this is for you! Their aligue rice is a versatile partner to whichever dish you pick. Most especially barbecue, you would love to combine aligue and Smokin’ Hot’s tasty barbecue meat.

Black Rice (Php 165) Rate: 2/5

Squid ink that made it black. Not being racist but Black Rice is not my type.

Dulong Rice (Php 195) Rate: 3/5

Turon 2.0 (Php 175) Rate: 5/5

Seriously, never ever leave the restaurant without getting this dessert. If I say it is a must, it is a must. This is a must-try guys! Homemade caramelized cones with banana ice cream and sweet langka mixed on the ice cream. I say Yes to being innovative! Good job Smokin’ Hot! This is hot!

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Pray, Eat and Love.

Cheers,

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Location: 3/F Greenbelt 3, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Budget: PHP350++

Rate:

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