Bistro 98: Discovering Gourmet Comfort Food in Quezon City
There's no denying that I love to dine in my list of trusted restaurants. However, hole in the wall dining spots have a certain charm I just can't get enough of. Earlier this year, my friend and I visited a comfort food destination off the main street of Tomas Morato. Nestled along Scout Lozano, we discovered an unassuming restaurant called Bistro 98.
Unlike most restaurants which are easy to spot, Bistro 98 somehow blended with its residential environment. Good thing though, we saw the round signage carrying the bistro's logo right away or else we would've passed it by. And while the facade may not be too inviting, I actually found the interior very homey and welcoming despite its size.
Bistro 98 is co-owned by 3 friends -- chefs Joseph Sanvictores, Phoebe See and Darwin Cardenas, who thought of opening up their own small bistro after their one-year internship at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado. Since Chef Sanvictores' grandmother has an unused bodega, they converted it to what is now known as Bistro 98.
The restaurant only has 3 tables inside, and more tables are added outside Bistro 98 during nighttime. But aside from the intimacy of the place, we found the service as intimate as well. There are actually no servers or busboys. Everything is run by the 3 owners -- from cooking, serving and even entertaining guests.
The Food
While hole in the wall restaurants like Bistro 98 hold interesting stories, let me stop my blabbering now and share with you the dishes we got to try during our visit.
We first had the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich (P250). Normally, I'm not a big fan of pulled pork sandwiches. But at Bistro 98, I think I became one. The bbq pulled pork filling was super tender and savory with a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy. Serving size is quite big too and can feed 2 light eaters or one hungry foodie. I really appreciated that this comes with a siding of Caesar salad and some chips, making an order a full meal.
Then we had the Shrimp Aligue Pasta (P300), a bowl of al dente-cooked pasta coated with aligue sauce, tossed with shrimps and topped with shredded crab sticks. When this was brought to our table, my eyes were instantly glued at it since it looked really enticing. However, upon my first forkful, I found the aligue sauce a little too light-flavored for my palate as if it was a European-style pasta. It's still enjoyable though since the shrimp pieces, crab stick and lemon juice added more dimension to the dish.
To complete our carb-loaded late lunch was the Creamy Risotto and Asparagus with Roasted Tomatoes. I already forgot the price but I think it's around P320 if I'm right. Anyway, I am a sucker for risotto, and this serving was definitely my favorite dish among everything we had that day. The risotto was just so creamy and so flavorful with an added texture from the asparagus and chopped tomatoes. The roasted tomatoes were also amazing as it oozes with a beautiful charred flavor. I must order this again soon!
Ending our meal on a sweet note was the Cheese Cake (P180) which is a favorite at Bistro 98. Having tried a lot of cheesecakes before, I can definitely say that this slice is worth ordering, most especially if you're more into the denser yet creamier types of cheesecakes. We also enjoyed the restaurant's Home-Brewed Iced Tea (Glass P65; Bottomless P95), the perfect beverage to cleanse and quench after a filling meal.
THE VERDICT
Everything we had that afternoon was pleasurable not only for the palate, but to all our senses. I'm also surprised that prices are very reasonable, especially since the serving sizes were generous for a Mediterranean comfort food destination. And with an intimate setting and personalized service, I can truly say that our trip to Bistro 98 made me feel like an explorer who just discovered a hidden treasure in Quezon City.
Bistro 98, Scout Lozano
98 Scout Lozano St., Laging Handa,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(0917) 518-1187; (0917) 809-3196
Official Website
Facebook Page
Unlike most restaurants which are easy to spot, Bistro 98 somehow blended with its residential environment. Good thing though, we saw the round signage carrying the bistro's logo right away or else we would've passed it by. And while the facade may not be too inviting, I actually found the interior very homey and welcoming despite its size.
Bistro 98 is co-owned by 3 friends -- chefs Joseph Sanvictores, Phoebe See and Darwin Cardenas, who thought of opening up their own small bistro after their one-year internship at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado. Since Chef Sanvictores' grandmother has an unused bodega, they converted it to what is now known as Bistro 98.
The restaurant only has 3 tables inside, and more tables are added outside Bistro 98 during nighttime. But aside from the intimacy of the place, we found the service as intimate as well. There are actually no servers or busboys. Everything is run by the 3 owners -- from cooking, serving and even entertaining guests.
The Food
While hole in the wall restaurants like Bistro 98 hold interesting stories, let me stop my blabbering now and share with you the dishes we got to try during our visit.
We first had the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich (P250). Normally, I'm not a big fan of pulled pork sandwiches. But at Bistro 98, I think I became one. The bbq pulled pork filling was super tender and savory with a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy. Serving size is quite big too and can feed 2 light eaters or one hungry foodie. I really appreciated that this comes with a siding of Caesar salad and some chips, making an order a full meal.
Then we had the Shrimp Aligue Pasta (P300), a bowl of al dente-cooked pasta coated with aligue sauce, tossed with shrimps and topped with shredded crab sticks. When this was brought to our table, my eyes were instantly glued at it since it looked really enticing. However, upon my first forkful, I found the aligue sauce a little too light-flavored for my palate as if it was a European-style pasta. It's still enjoyable though since the shrimp pieces, crab stick and lemon juice added more dimension to the dish.
To complete our carb-loaded late lunch was the Creamy Risotto and Asparagus with Roasted Tomatoes. I already forgot the price but I think it's around P320 if I'm right. Anyway, I am a sucker for risotto, and this serving was definitely my favorite dish among everything we had that day. The risotto was just so creamy and so flavorful with an added texture from the asparagus and chopped tomatoes. The roasted tomatoes were also amazing as it oozes with a beautiful charred flavor. I must order this again soon!
Ending our meal on a sweet note was the Cheese Cake (P180) which is a favorite at Bistro 98. Having tried a lot of cheesecakes before, I can definitely say that this slice is worth ordering, most especially if you're more into the denser yet creamier types of cheesecakes. We also enjoyed the restaurant's Home-Brewed Iced Tea (Glass P65; Bottomless P95), the perfect beverage to cleanse and quench after a filling meal.
THE VERDICT
Everything we had that afternoon was pleasurable not only for the palate, but to all our senses. I'm also surprised that prices are very reasonable, especially since the serving sizes were generous for a Mediterranean comfort food destination. And with an intimate setting and personalized service, I can truly say that our trip to Bistro 98 made me feel like an explorer who just discovered a hidden treasure in Quezon City.
PS: Calling for reservation is highly advised. Bistro 98 also offers catering services and set menus.
Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5
Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5
Bistro 98, Scout Lozano
98 Scout Lozano St., Laging Handa,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(0917) 518-1187; (0917) 809-3196
Official Website
Facebook Page
The pulled pork and risotto look sooo good :) Love finding a little hole in the wall place to eat at.
ReplyDeleteNice discovery. Very tempting review and pictures. Interesting that the owners do everything themselves. Will have to check out one day.
ReplyDeleteI think with their 3-man crew, their service is personalized and as special as it can be.
ReplyDeleteIt seems the atmosphere here is so homely; I am intrigued with their Risotto, looks tempting.
ReplyDeleteThe food you ordered looked delish! I have to try it soon ; ) And it's near my place.
ReplyDeletexoxo
MrsMartinez
I'd love to visit this place soon! :)
ReplyDeleteWow I'm impressed! We have here in Romania, a business family like this one, but it's about a chinesse restaurant. They are 2 boys and 1 girl. They are amazing how they can cook, take orders, deliver food, wash dishes, talk with the customers, it's incredible! We really have to apreciate this kind of business. What to say about the food..it's delicious and makes you order again :)I think this kind of business are more warm and more "family style".
ReplyDeleteWow! Great find. Drooling at the sight of risotto. :)
ReplyDeleteThat pulled pork sandwich looks so yummy and filling too. I love denser cheesecakes, I hope we can spot the place when we pass around the area.
ReplyDeleteFinding hole-in-the-wall's that tastes good are great finds.. they also get to be known by word of mouth, which is the best way to go for a resto. If it tastes as good as it looks then this place will probably be expanding soon. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my looks good! I will try this out soon. Gosh I envy you despite eating at a lot of place you don't seem to gain weight!
ReplyDeleteI miss living in QC, more so the various restos and bars and bistros along Tomas Morato. Bistro 98 surely looks interesting enough to visit all the way from Alabang. Hope they open a branch here too. :)
ReplyDeletewow your rating for the resto is quite high :) nakakagulat in qc there are a lot of "tagong" resto that offers great food. would love to try this although price is a bit expensive :D
ReplyDeleteHey this place looks very quiet. One of an excellent place to eat.
ReplyDeleteMississauga Indian Restaurant
I love Cheese Cakes.My personal favorite.
ReplyDeleteIndian Vegetarian Restaurant East London
Oooh. Another place to eattttt. Kinda like a healthy living on their menu hahaha ♥
ReplyDeleteI want to dine here at Bistro 98 bcoz they serve generously and the homey feeling while savoring their delicioso dishes is splendid =)
ReplyDeleteI want to try! they're food is looks so yummy.. mmm..
ReplyDeletethe place looks cozy,wish i live in qc so i could try this out
ReplyDeleteIt really is this kind of commitment to help qualified and being sure people take in effectively which has been the same topic through Healthy Food Delivery London the development of meal shipping products and services adjust will be the only continual matter on this planet. In this particular contemporary time period, change almost always is an advantage.
ReplyDelete