#benchcafe

The popular Philippine retail store Bench partnered with FooDee Global Concepts, which manages and operates some of the best restaurants in the city including Tim Ho Wan, Mesa, Pound by Todd English, Kam’s Roast, and more, to create Bench Cafe which has been an outstanding success on its first year. The new branch carries the same stylish and casual ambiance that the brand is known for.

Bench Cafe Executive Chef Carlo Miguel has created a menu which uses local Filipino flavors and ingredients but gives it a new modern look. He calls it a fusion of Filipino with Filipino, using traditions from all over the islands to create a distinct but truly Filipino taste. The prices are all affordable, ranging from around P200 to P300 which caters well to their target market. 

Some of the new items that we sampled that evening included the Sisig Pancit, a combination of two Filipino favorites which is good for a light merienda and even for lunch or dinner.

Another unique Filipino combination is the colorful Longganisa Pancit which also brings two familiar Filipino items together in one dish. It’s a simple creation but the sweet and salty flavors of the longganisa really balances well with the pancit.

Another Filipino favorite is the Pork BBQ Skewers which are 24-sous vide bbq pork belly served with atsara and Bench salsa. These are items you might find sold on the streets, but I would definitely prefer eating these delicious barbecues inside Bench Cafe.

Adding to the selection of rice dishes at Bench Cafe is the Pinakbet Rice. This is another good option to go along with their Bagoong Rice, Talangka Rice, or Dilis Rice.

The Sinigang sa Santol is a warm and hearty bowl of my favorite sinigang which is what I simply call Filipino comfort food. This is a great dish that truly reminds me of home and is always a welcome treat anywhere I dine.

Bench Cafe specializes in its Bench/To (Bento) set meals, which is an upgraded turo-turo set. We have probably all eaten at food courts or cafeterias that offer viands with rice and a side dish. Bench makes it more stylish as they now offer eleven different Bench/To sets that all come with at least two viands, vegetables, and rice presented in a cute tray. This is the Bench/To Set 1 with Liempo Inasal and Gising-Gising together with langka, atsata, Bench salsa, condiments, and steamed Ifugao rice.

Another option is the Bangus ala Pobre Bench/To Set with a very tasty bangus belly topped with loads of garlic.

If you are really hungry, go for the Bench/To Set 9 comes with Kaldereta plus Liempo Inasal and pinakbet. That should really satisfy even those with the biggest appetites.

The Chicken and Pork Adobo is also an option if you want to savor this classic Filipino dish. All the dishes at Bench Cafe are very familiar to Filipinos but with a modern and stylish interpretation.

For desserts, the Flan B is always a good choice with its sweet and delicious leche flan topped with macapuno. 

One new dessert that was presented is the Turon with Ube Ice Cream which combines the popular street food with a refreshing scoop of ice cream.

If you really like ube, then you will also enjoy the Ube Leche Flan Cake. Another choice is the Caramel Bukayo Cake. These sweet slices are a lovely way to complete your Bench Cafe dining experience.

There is also the Bibingka Cheesecake which is a Filipino-style cheesecake topped with a salty egg yolk, or go for the Dark Tablea Cake for that rich and dark chocolate taste.

Congratulations to Bench Cafe for the successful opening of your second branch. They have plans to expand to more locations in 2019, including in Pasay City and possibly in SM North EDSA, so that is something I am looking forward to. Thank you to Chef Carlo Miguel for hosting our private dinner party and letting us sample your new dishes in advance.

Bench Cafe

2/F Greenbelt 3, Esperanza St. corner Makati Ave, Ayala Center, Makati