Bistro Better - Makati's Intimately Delectable Food Corner

Fancy an intimate shindig with your dear friends? That nook far away from the madding crowd, yet stripped off the tedious thingamajig that characterize other greasy spoons - with price as delectably affordable as the food they serve?

We’ve found that place during the Christmas holidays.

Located at G.E.E. Building along Chino Roces Avenue Extension (Pasong Tamo Extension), Bistro Better is a comfortable bistro serving delicious food without much frills. Though a bit cramped, the bistro has 2 cubicle areas that sits 8-10 people each, perfect when you just wanna drop by for a fast meal – or that special get-together with a few friends, sans the crowd! The past weeks have taken us to an inordinate number of restaurants, carefully treading the path of gluttony. These places we shall document in these pages in the coming days. But I am particularly pleased to share our gastronomic experience at Bistro Better.

In all our travels, we are made acutely aware that the essence of a dining establishment (regardless of a theme, the interior atmosphere, the price list, etc.) rests in a singular criteria - the taste of food being served! From the fresh Grilled Dory down to the “luscious” Midnight Truffle Cake, I knew I’d be dropping by for that Chicken Alexandra which we missed! - Or their version of the traditional British and Irish staple - the Shepherd's Pie (a lamb mince) - one of the things we miss from London.

Here are some of their culinary jewels we tasted:

Roast Pork (P140 or $3.20) - Slow-cooked pork, thinly sliced, and covered with mushroom sauce.

Pork Embotido (P120 or $2.70) This one is a re-imagined version of Embutido (above and below), the traditional Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese serving of what's otherwise known in Latin America as Enchido. It generally contains hashed meat, generally pork, seasoned with aromatic herbs or spices (black and red pepper, paprika, garlic, rosemary, thyme, cloves, ginger) that is served wrapped in the skin of pig's intestines.

Saucy embotido.

Pork Embotido

Chicken Salad Sandwich with its potato salad side dish (P95 or $2.15)

Grilled Dory Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce (P140 or $3.20)

Midnight Truffle Cake (P130/slice or $2.95) – dark and moist chocolate cake embedded in bittersweet cream ganache topped with melted chocolate truffle icing. Sodas, coffee and tea cost P30 an order.

What’s interesting here is the potpourri of accoutrements on display: a vintage radio, some multi-colored crystalline decors, coffee mugs, and an array of reading materials – including a Lonely Planet Magazine that kinda surprised me. I didn’t know such existed here in Manila. The issue featured amazing stories and photographs from Egypt, China, Siargao, Pampanga and their cover story – Cebu’s famed Malapascua Island.

Bistro Better is located at the Ground Floor (GF-2), G.E.E. Building, 2301 Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati. If you’re coming from Edsa, you’d pass by Chevrolet and Chrysler Showrooms. It’s almost opposite Metro Bank. There’s a PS Bank signage at the side of GEE Building. Parking is directly in front of the Bistro, though a bit limited, but there are several places nearby. Unfortunately, they are closed on Sundays so if you’re taking a small group with you, you may call 505-4991 or 0917-6124858, just to be on the safe side. Make no mistake, this is a relatively new place of a modest size, but with great tasting food.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Vintage

Lonely Planet - The Magazine, a local publication.

The menu.