Roboto San: Japanese Grill Buffet in Bonifacio Global City

Update: Roboto San Japanese Grilled Buffet in BGC is now closed.

After SumoSam, John and Yoko, Marciano, and Mr. Kurosawa, a new icon in the name of Roboto San, comes to town. Set in the year 2089, Tokyo is under attack by alien robots and only the ultimate robot -- Roboto San, can rescue the world from destruction.

In the war against alien invasion, Roboto San doesn't only fight for the world and the humanity. Aside from being the ultimate robot of the future, he also puts up a great buffet spread for everyone to feast upon. Strategically located in Crossroads, Bonifacio Global City, Roboto San will generously offer anyone a feel of the future with its sleek and sharp interiors, purple walls, white interlacing panels and servers in white and silver uniforms.

Born from restaurateur Ricky Laudico's love for robots, this mother ship also has LCD screens featuring some of the most well-loved mecha anime -- Voltes V, Astro Boy, Mazinger Z , Voltron, and many others that can both catch the attention of kids, and bring nostalgia to kids at heart.

Of course, Roboto San is not only a place for a visual feast but also a destination to please both the palate and the tummy. Although this mother ship is still on its soft opening phase, food selection comes aplenty.

Assorted maki, sushi and sashimi

Selection of chicken feet, siomai and dumplings

My plate of salmon and tamago sashimi, maki, siomai and smoked salmon

My hot bowl of miso soup

Roboto San may be a Japanese concept restaurant, but it also offers Chinese meal starters -- dimsum. For more appetite whetting, the mother ship also carries a variety of both healthy and filling salads.

There are also a decent selection of cooked food items. Some which caught my attention were the gyoza, salt and pepper spareribs, chicken pandan, fried rice variants and the buffet favorite -- tempura.

Roboto San also has some Italian food items -- pasta and pizza. But if you like some warm bowl of noodles, the space cadet servers can whip you up either a flavorful shoyu (soy sauce) ramen or a subtle miso ramen.

Although there's a decent amount of variety in Roboto San, a trip will never be complete without trying its most notable feat -- the smokeless grill. With slices of pork, beef, chicken, seafood, corn and some veggies beautifully laid on the buffet table, even frustrated cooks like myself can't help but grab items for grilling.

After enjoying an interactive dining experience, every meal should end with desserts. For our trip, there were small slices of chocolate cake, brazo de mercedes and brownies, along with fruits and mousse in shot glasses. There was also a halo-halo section, as well as a variety of BigScoop ice cream flavors with assorted toppings.

Roboto San may be new, but its kitchen is led by 3 notable chefs -- Corporate Chef Christine Nicole Nicolas, Executive Chef Benjamin Gonzales, and Chef Consultant Florabel Co-Yatco.

THE VERDICT

Roboto San is a unique concept restaurant offering a buffet spread coupled with Japanese smokeless grill. But being in a soft opening phase, this sleek mother ship is not yet there when it comes to my kind of flavor. Although there was a decent selection, my taste buds were not tickled the way I want to. However, give it a few months in the scene and I'm sure Roboto San will be one famous robot in the food industry.

With a smokeless grill concept, a buffet table, and a visually appealing ambiance for a fairly affordable price, Roboto San is still a restaurant worth a try.

Taste - 2/5
Ambiance - 4.5/5
Service - 3/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 3/5

Roboto San Japanese Grill Buffet, Bonifacio Global City
2/F, Crossroads, 32nd St, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 823-6988
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