On this Cubao Rooftop, There’s French Dining, Sunset View and An Afternoon Mass Too
Because Cubao is like a box of chocolates.
(SPOT.ph) Cubao never runs out of surprises. Just when you think it’s been taken over by a mall, that mall springs a surprise on the very top of it: a French-style bistro where you can have wine with your duck confit and enjoy a view of the cityscape. You’ll be asking yourself: Am I still in Cubao? And the Sogo building in the horizon will shoot you a resounding yes!
The just-opened Le Bistro is located at the roofdeck of the spanking new five-level economy hotel Ibis Styles, which is within the recently expanded Gateway Mall complex. Thanks to its framed glass walls, the bistro's stylish interiors are bathed in natural light throughout the day. The entire dining area offers a view of the QC sky and surrounding buildings. Should guests prefer to dine al fresco, chairs and tables line the restaurant facade.
Also read: Here's Your Definitive Guide To Restaurants in Gateway Mall 2
What to order at this French-style rooftop bistro
French dining staples as Escargot Bourguignonne (P550), Beef Bourguignonne (P780), Crepes aux Champignons (P550), Soupe De’ Oignons (P550), and the previously mentioned Duck Leg Confit a l’Orange (P780) are the highlights of the menu. But the chef is an Italian who goes by the name of Massimiliano Pauleto, which is probably why there’s a carbonara (Original Rigatoni Carbonara, P580) in the menu; if you ask us what we recommend, that would be the first on the list. It’s light and the creaminess is just right.
What else should you get? The escargot is delicious, and the French onion soup is sweet, savory, herby and satisfying. The Seared Japanese Scallop (P980) sounded interesting but wasn’t available on our visit so we had the Dry-Aged Striploin Steak (P980), which was a pleasant surprise, as well as the Pork Schnitzel (P750), which uses Kurobuta dry-aged porkloin and is served with lovely, addictive lyonnaise-style sautéed potatoes.
If you’re game for drinks—I mean, you already have the view—there’s a tight selection of champagne, rosé, sparkling and white wines, so you don’t have to take forever choosing (this is not Netflix, after all). As for cocktails, they have what looks like a carefully curated range of offerings (all at P550 each): Espresso Martini, Le Philippin (rum with pandan, Kahlua and coconut meringue), Le Bistro Spritz (gin, elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, soda, rosemary, orange), Cold Brew Negroni, and something called French Blush (raspberry liqueur + a sparkling drink, with Mille-Feuille).
Also read: A Night at Tago Jazz Cafe in Cubao
Because man doesnt live by French bread alone
Because Cubao always knows how to keep things interesting, a few steps away from the bistro stands a modern-looking Catholic chapel named Sagrada Familia which has been open since September last year. There’s a 5 p.m. mass from Monday to Friday, a Saturday mass (5:30 p.m.), and on Sundays, there are masses at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., 3:30, 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. If you’re not of the Catholic faith, there’s also the Christian church Jesus Christ is The Lord just across the street, the building of which you can view from the General Roxas Avenue side of the roofdeck, along with a sliver of LRT 2's tracks, Puregold, and the hustle and bustle of Aurora Boulevard.
Which is the great thing with Cubao: No matter its current fascination with the fancy and upgraded, it keeps you anchored in chaotic, imperfect, and beautifully eclectic Metro Manila in its own spontaneous ways. This only adds to the charm, really, of savoring your P1680-a-glass Deutz Classic Brut and your P780 Salmon A La Provençale. Bon appétit.
Le Bistro is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Enter through the Ibis Styles hotel entrance on General Roxas Avenue, Gateway Complex, Cubao, Quezon City.