Is Bamba Bistro Worth a Trip Down South?

The South is an unexplored territory to me; Taguig City is usually the farthest that I frequent already. Thus, when we purposely scheduled a visit down South, we had to be decisive on where to eat. It better be worth the trip. My first choice was Sensei Sushi; however, it decided to temporarily shut its doors for the day due to its constrained supply of sashimi. The hurdle we had to overcome would be finding a restaurant that would be able to accommodate a large group of 9 diners on New Year’s weekend. We ended up dining in a private room of the quaint Bamba Bistro.

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP with GOUDA WICHES (P180)

Bamba Bistro’s take on the classic pairing of grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, the Roasted Tomato Soup with Gouda Wiches, caught my sister’s attention. The tomato soup had the perfect tanginess to it; and had the perfect creaminess to pair it with. It came with bite-sized gouda sandwiches drizzled in honey and topped with almond slivers, which definitely gave a refreshing twist on a traditional pairing.

DUCK RAVIOLI (P495)

My mom opted for the Duck Ravioli which was paired with a heavy cream sauce tastefully flavored by truffles and porcini mushrooms. The subtle tones of ricotta cheese were highly appreciated. The smoky flavor of duck was in want; however, the cream sauce was undeniably stellar.

STEAK ALA MANILA (P690)

The Steak ala Manila will definitely fill you up as it features a huge slice of tender steak marinated tapa-style; thus, expect a sweet and salty combination of flavors. It is not really my kind of steak, but I still have to applaud the fact that the meat was tender and juicy. The truffled scrambled eggs were a nice touch as well.

LAMB ADOBO (P295)

My order would be the Lamb Adobo; which featured succulent lamb ribs, served with rosemary garlic rice, mint jelly, and a refreshing tomato salsa. The lamb ribs were tender; but were on the salty side. I would have wanted it to embrace its sour side more though for a better balance in flavors.

We ended the meal with the Queen Elizabeth dish, which featured a bite-sized food for the gods served in a warm butterscotch sauce. The butterscotch sauce was heavenly; but the food for the gods piece was subpar. My mom’s take on the classic baked delicacy definitely floors Bamba Bistro’s version.

Overall, I enjoyed the dishes; however, they were not remarkable enough to merit another visit if it means dozens of kilometers’ worth of travel time. If I lived within the vicinity, or if it opens a branch more convenient to go to; then maybe I’d consider a second visit.

Droolworthy Dish: Roasted Tomato Soup with Gouda Wiches

Bamba Bistro

55 Aguirre Ave cor Arsenio Luz, BF Homes, Paranaque

Date of Visit: January 2, 2016 with Wilson Chua, Lily Chua, Jared Chua, Jem Chua, and the Marquez Family