Le Bar

Now where was I? Oh yes ...

Wednesday, July 11: Le Bar

Still on the alcohol trail, my editor assigned me to visit Le Bar. Clearly she does not drink because Le Bar is NOT a bar! Or at least it's not JUST a bar. It is a three-tiered concept that includes a patisserie, a restaurant and then the bar.

Walking down east of the main entrance to what is now called Sofitel Hotel (formerly Westin/Philippine Plaza), I wondered allowed, Is Le Bar a bar? Good question, was all my very prolific tag-along bud Pepperoneous could muster, as the sign Le Bar looked us in the face. Because down the hall and clearly part of the bar was a patisserie, to the left of which was booth seating for what was obviously their restaurant, to the left of that was what looked like a gentleman's lounge, and to the far left, finally, the bar.



I explained my purpose to their adorable and very accommodating PR girl, Yasmine Hidalgo. The seasoned PR lady that she is, she instructed to feed us first before getting us into The Buzz. So Pepperoneous got a US Angus Chilled Sirloin while I was blessed with a Fillet of Chilean Sea Bass that came with a bit of broth. Both were perfect. If you want a sure fire top of the line dinner, hit Le Bar. Can't go wrong. Their Chef de Cuisine is from Germany and the pastry chef is actually French (rat-a-too-ee!).

My only disappointment came when we were offered cocktails. I was offered a chocolate martini that tasted like a college org experiment and Pep just got a Long Island Iced Tea. After that, even if I was ready for THE BUZZ (!) I decided to just skip it altogether. The bar does not have a signature cocktail drink, although they do have all the Glens.

The challenge, I would think, of Sofitel is that it is very out of the way for those who do not live in Manila, that it would have to go the extra mile in terms of attractions if their objective would be a steady outside clientele. I personally would find it difficult to convince my friends to journey all the way to the CCP Complex unless there was an event of some sort or some other come on.

Speaking with their F&B Manager I recalled the days of Aposento in Intramuros and wondered how THAT bar got us to travel all the way to Intramuros then. But that Aposento strip managed to become THE hang out of choice at the time. I also recalled the days of Insomnia and Ponana and the oh-so-far highway to heaven Galos. Of course, you might observe, none of these joints are around anymore. They've lived their bar lives to the full nine and are gone forevermore.

Then I remembered Grappas. Grappas has been around forever. It has a small, steady clinetele that pays, obviously, enough money to keep the draught going. So, since the Manager was asking for suggestions, I went into my pitch again for Guinness Draught. Now isn't that a come on? I would brave Manila driving for this. And I really believe I have birds of the same feather here who will flock with me to the Bay.

We ended the discussion with dessert. To see is to believe...