Taste the Love with The Bistro Group + Giveaway #12!

While I was on a roll last January, the love month made me a real busy bee. And while this post is late, I think we should spread the love even if it isn't the month of February. But first, let me share with you The Bistro Group's newest campaign, Taste the Love.

Although The Bistro Group's new campaign sounds like one fit only for Valentine's, you're totally mistaken. Aside from literally offering a discount promo during the month of hearts, this campaign celebrates 3 important events for The Bistro Group -- the opening of 50 restaurant spread across 12 concepts, the appointment of Chef Josh Boutwood as the new corporate chef, and the launch of the group's Premiere Card.

The Bistro Group's Restaurants

Probably the most popular of the group's dining spots are Italianni's and T.G.I. Friday's, but the latest to join The Bistro Group's roster is Modern Shanghai currently located at SM Mall of Asia. While I'm always excited to try new restaurants, I haven't had the time to personally try this out yet. I'll make sure to visit it soon when time permits though.

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant at SM Mall of Asia

Another fairly new addition is Watami which I visited before the past year ended. Being a Japanese food lover, I actually found myself impressed with their food offerings. The restaurant at SM Mall of Asia was also very comfortable and had a sophisticated ambiance perfect for a catch-up night out with friends or a reunion with the family.

Ma Maison Japanese-Western Restaurant at Greenbelt 2

There's also Ma Maison at Greenbelt 2 which caters to the discerning palates of Japanese-Western food lovers. Like my impression with Watami, I loved how great tasting their dishes were that I can't actually pick which one among the items I've tried was my favorite. You can say, I love them all! And aside from the food, there's also the really homey and country kitschy ambiance which is perfect for quiet, romantic dates.

Village Tavern at Bonifacio High Street Central

And of course, there's Village Tavern which I didn't only visit last year, but which also hosted the launch for the Taste the Love campaign. This restaurant among the 4 latest additions is the only one serving a full range of American fare. And while my heart and palate still belongs mostly to Asian cuisine, I surprisingly found myself highly satisfied with everything I got to try. Plus, the ambiance is so posh I can just stay there all night!

Aside from these 4 international chains brought to us by The Bistro Group, other members of the roster are as follows.

Italianni's at Gateway and at SM Mall of Asia

T.G.I. Friday's at Eastwood Citywalk 1

Bulgogi Brothers at SM Mall of Asia

Fish & Co. at Trinoma

Krazy Garlik at Greenbelt 5

There's also Flapjacks, Pig Out! and The Stock Market which I haven't gotten to try yet. Oh, I just recently found out that there's another new addition to the The Bistro Group. It's Smokin' Hot BarBQ in Greenbelt 3 which serves global Filipino cuisine.

The New Corporate Chef & The Premiere Card

Now, I've mentioned that aside from opening new restaurants and hitting the 50 restaurants milestone, there are other good things behind the Taste the Love campaign. First is having Chef Josh Boutwood as the new corporate chef after serving as a consultant until the late 2012. I've personally met him during my visit to Village Tavern last year and he sure has good credentials to back him up.

"Chef Josh Boutwood is The Bistro Group’s new corporate chef, having been appointed in the late 2012. The Filipino-British Chef studied at the Escuela de Culinario Mojacar in Spain, and apprenticed under French Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in England. He has worked in various restaurants in Spain, Denmark, and Sweden, most notably at Noma, touted as one of the best restaurants in the world by San Pellegrinos’ 50 Best. Upon his return to the Philippines, he set up his own restaurant in Boracay before joining The Bistro Group. He also won several awards at the 3rd Philippine Culinary Cup. Chef Boutwood is behind such signature dishes at the Bistro Group of restaurants such as Black Pizza, Sesame Teriyaki Chicken Wings, and Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Skins at Village Tavern, and the a la carte Katsu Menu at Ma Maison."

The next good news is the launch of The Bistro Group's Premiere Card (P2,500). I personally don't have it yet, but I'm planning to buy myself one especially after reading that it offers the following benefits and privileges valid at all Bistro Group restaurants:

• 20% off the total bill
• 30% off the total bill every Monday
• Two 40% off dining vouchers up to P3,000
• 25% discount voucher for your birth month
• 6 appetizer vouchers up to P400 each
• Complimentary coffee or tea with every visit

So if you're still keeping the old Bistro card, it's time to upgrade and get the new Premiere Card as it definitely got tons of perks useful especially if you, your family, friends and other loved ones dine in any of The Bistro Group's restaurants that often.

The Taste the Love Luncheon

I know this post is already very lengthy, so I won't be expounding anymore about the food items served that day. As expected of The Bistro Group, everything we had for the meal was great and hearty. Oh, and if you're wondering, the beau and I decided to eat desserts first since we're seriously craving to get our sweets fix, and we run late.

Village Tavern's Double Decker Cheesecake and St. Barths Chocolate Torte

T.G.I. Friday's Shrimp Mango Quesadilla; Village Tavern's Homemade Jalapeño Poppers, Chorizo & Goat Cheese Rolls and Black Pizza; Italianni's Penne with Italian Sausage

Mango and Watermelon Shakes; Village Tavern's Barbecue Pork Sliders

Although I've already had most of these items before, they still tasted great for the nth time. For a campaign launch event, it was surprising that we were served this much food. So to The Bistro Group, congratulations and keep spreading the taste of love!

And now, to mark the end of my Blog Anniversary Giveaway series, I'm excited to invite you to Taste the Love, so I'm giving away P3000-worth of gift certificates. Dine in at one, two or even three The Bistro Group restaurants of your choice, and experience an epicurean pleasure with your loved one, your family, or even with your friends.

To help you decide which among the dining destinations you might want to visit, check out my posts about The Bistro Group restaurants.

Prize: (1) winner of P3,000-worth of GCs valid at any The Bistro Group restaurant.

PLEASE READ!
Guidelines to enter the giveaway raffle:

1. Be a Metro Manila resident or someone (even not within Metro Manila) who can actually use the prizes, or have a person you'll give these prizes to in case you can't personally use them.
2. Free shipping to Metro Manila addresses only. Non-Metro Manila winners can opt to shoulder the shipping fee. (Really sorry about this.)
3. Follow the Rafflecopter mechanics below to join.
4. Make sure you do all the first 18 mandatory steps to be eligible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway raffle will run from today, March 3 until March 20, 2013. The winner will be drawn the next day and will be contacted on or before the 23rd. So join now and taste the love with The Bistro Group restaurants.

Disclaimer: Prizes were sponsored by the good folks from The Bistro Group.