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Often, Filipinos don’t just want to nibble when they drink; they want to eat real meals.
Add in surprising culinary delights that fuse the high-end with street elements, such as burgers made with foie gras and bone marrow, and Ilocano bagnet (crispy fried pork belly) paired with Thai sauce, for example, and you’ve got 22 Jupiter, located in that same address in Makati.
At a recent press lunch, 22 Jupiter Bistro Bar, still retaining the cavernous interiors by the former tenant Cova that make for excellent acoustics, unveiled a selection from its eclectic menu.
Appetizers included: Four Cheese Croquetas, Seared Tuna, Nachos with Chorizo Cheese, Jalapeno Poppers, Shrimp Saffron with Chorizo Gambas, and Scallops with Foie Gras and Mushrooms.
The Jalapeno Poppers were a perfect balance of salty creaminess and the mild heat and subtle sourness of peppers.
But by far the best starter were the Scallops with Foie Gras. Sinking one’s teeth into the delicate dollar of white meat topped with creamy goose liver was quite an experience.
Here’s a closer look at that particular dish in this photo, provided by 22 Jupiter.
One was never enough and it was tempting to gorge on this appetizer alone. But 22 Jupiter had more flavors awaiting one’s palate.
The main course selection included: Truffle Pasta, Stuffed Squid, Bone Marrow and Foie Gras Burger, Paella Negra, Lamb Rendang, Tenderloin with Spiced Taro, Slow Cooked Ox Tripe and Tail, and Bagnet with Thai Sauce.
Of these, the surprising standout was the Stuffed Squid, common fare often overcooked into a rubbery tangle of tentacles and poorly seasoned and stuffed, now perfected by 22 Jupiter. So tender and scrumptious, it melts in the mouth.
The Paella Negra, colored black with squid ink, is a great way to break the ice on dates as they will invariably color one’s smile. On the other hand, the creamy truffle pasta will make even the most figure conscious break their low carb diet with its luxurious rich taste.
But the biggest revelation was the Bagnet, fried to crispy perfection, then totally transformed by pairing it with 22 Jupiter’s own specially made Thai sauce.
Here’s a photo of that, also from 22 Jupiter.
For dessert, they offered their Rum Cake with Butter Dulce Gatas Sauce, a heavenly concoction that balanced the coconut tinge of rum with milky sweetness.
Surprisingly, despite the use of such ingredients as truffle, foie gras, and parts such as tenderloin, the menu items were quite affordable. For example, the bone marrow foie gras burger was P500 and the wild mushroom truffle pasta was priced at P420.
Executive Chef Marco Legasto, who has gained renown for his formal steak restaurant Prime 101 in Chino Roces Avenue, explains his eclectic menu: “It’s based on my travels, whatever inspires me. It’s us letting you have flavors from my head, ideas that I created.”
This is one of those to check out at your leisure, perhaps for Valentine’s season – don’t wait too long to try some of the featured dishes. – Rappler.com
22 Jupiter Bistro Bar at Bel-Air, Makati City opens Monday to Saturday, 11am to 2pm for lunch and 5pm onwards for dinner. Parking right across the street at Buendia Car Exchange. For inquiries and reservations, call 556-7097 or visit facebook.com/22Jupiter
Writer, graphic designer, and business owner Rome Jorge is passionate about the arts. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of asianTraveler Magazine, Lifestyle Editor of The Manila Times, and cover story writer for MEGA and Lifestyle Asia Magazines, RomeJorge has also covered terror attacks, military mutinies, mass demonstrations as well as Reproductive Health, gender equality, climate change, HIV/AIDS and other important issues. He is also the proprietor of Strawberry Jams Music Studio.
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