Bait’s Seafood Kitchen: 10 things to try

Those who crave for fresh seafood rich in taste and flavor will soon have a new hangout spot at Bait’s, located in Makati City.   

An establishment of Erwan Heussaff and his partners with the rest of Mothership F&B Enterprise – the same owners of Hungry Hound, Niner Ichi Nana, Hatch 22, Pink Panda, and Crisp on 28th Street, the Bait’s menu is filled with numerous seafood options and a variety of alcoholic beverages.

There will be a set menu and a market menu, with the latter’s meal options alternating based on the seafood available. 

The restaurant features the work of Chef Joseph Margate, a two-time nominee in 2011 and 2012 for Food & Wine’s People’s Best New Chefs who spent the last 10 years cooking in restaurants and hotels in the West Coast of the United States. 

Chef Margate plans to couple the fresh seafood available in the Philippines with his classic European technique of cooking. Or as he likes to put it, he will run a seafood joint that basically “doesn’t mess with seafood.” 

Here are 10 dishes from Bait’s that you might want to try: 

Boquerones Sky Flakes (P144)

A light appetizer served with a few pieces of Sky Flakes and firm but easy-to-chew boquerones.

Tuna Tartare (P229)

Raw tuna with added hints of lemon oil and pickled mustard seeds. 

Red Snapper Crudo (P225)

Includes green tomato water, sambal, and katsuoboshi. 

Squid a la Plancha (P258)

A great blend of elements to go with the squid.  

Mussel Chowder (P399)

A warming soup packed with carbohydrates (sliced potatoes), flavor (apples), and a great aroma and additional taste (chives). 

Fresh pasta (P472)

Chunky pasta cooked al dente mixed with delightful bottarga cheese, broccoli, and mini bread crumbs.

Tilapia with mixed ingredients (P422)

The tilapia is seasoned turmeric and complemented by cauliflower couscous and also includes nuoc cham. 

Grilled Prawns with Chicken Skin (P606)

Not exactly the healthiest of dishes, but it’s sinfully appetizing nonetheless thanks to added white beans, parsley, chicken skin, and of course, grilled prawns. 

Octopus and Pork Belly Salad (P431)

My personal favorite. The octopus and pork belly are great protein complements.

Torched Mackerel (P444)

Torched with a mini flamethrower to ensure the right amount of cooking, the mackerel is blanketed by red lentils and bits of crispy pig’s ears.

Here are a couple of drinks you can order:

Reefer (top, left) 

A kind of drink that will make you feel like you’re lounging at the beach. Includes rum, dalandan liqueur, lemon juice, and coconut milk 

Boulevard Felipe (top, right) 

The kind of drink you might imagine Sean Connery sipping in a James Bond movie. Ingredients include Johnnie Walker scotch, Vermouth, St. Germain, grapefuit bitters, and campari. – Rappler.com

Bait’s is located at the ground floor of the Robinsons Designer Residences along Valero Street in Makati City. Reach them at baitsph@gmail.com or through Twitter: @BaitsManila