(SPOT.ph) When you think of French food, we’re willing to bet Bizu is one of the first local spots that come to mind. Having served great-quality confections, desserts, and even savory dishes—mostly of the European and French sort—for more than two decades, they’re definitely a household name with branches all around the Metro.
Behind the brand is CEO and president Annabelle Tanco, who had always loved to cook and bake. Tanco took her dream of opening pastry shops to the next level by taking a course at the Center for Culinary Arts. In the year 2000, she opened the first Bizu kiosk at Glorietta Mall in Makati, selling the then-relatively unknown French confection known as macarons. It didn’t take long before they opened their first full-fledged patisserie and café in Greenbelt, followed by more branches that also served savory dishes. Bizu also eventually ventured into the world of catering—with smashing results.
To this day, Bizu remains a go-to for everything from macarons to melt-in-your-mouth roast beef—and their lineup has definitely grown over the years. While their menu is full of gems, these 10 bestsellers in particular are the ones you definitely ought not to miss.
Also read: The 10 Most Popular Dishes at Wildflour
Is your favorite on the list? Check out the bestsellers on the menu of Bizu Patisserie & Bistro:
10-Hour Roast Beef
Roast beef is a classic you likely associate with fancy catered functions and special occasions—and Bizu’s signature 10-Hour Roast Beef (P650) definitely ranks high as one of the best around (even making it to the third spot of our 2019 Top 10 Roast Beef in Manila list!). Here, Angus beef belly is roasted low and slow for 10 hours until it’s so tender, that you could just about slice it with a spoon. Presentation-wise Bizu goes fairly classic with accompaniments of a potato gratin, grilled vegetables, horseradish cream, and mushroom Espagnole.
Macaron De Paris
When you think of macarons in Manila, chances are Bizu is the first place that pops up—and for good reason. They were among the first to popularize the French confection in our shores, and continue to be a go-to spot to pick up boxes of the dessert (starts at P600/box of eight). Sure doesn’t hurt that with their wide range of flavors—which include classics like Belgian Chocolate, Italian Pistachio, Raspberry but also contemporary flavors like Ube—there’s definitely something for everyone.
French Onion Soup
It’s easy to dismiss soups as mere starters or fillers—but when it’s as rich and deep in flavor as Bizu’s French Onion Soup (P350) it could very well be as swoon-worthy as any main. In it are onions cooked low and slow in a beef broth to bring out its natural sweetness; the resulting hearty soup is then topped with emmental cheese and gratinated for an ooey, gooey contrast.
Smoked Salmon Caviar
Caviar dips are a surefire way to take any dinner party or gathering to luxe heights—and in the Smoked Salmon Caviar (P755), Bizu takes the classic caviar-plus-cream cheese tandem up several notches by bringing in succulent slices of smoked salmon to the mix. With boiled eggs, chopped dill, and onions joining the party, you get a fusion of flavors that’s part-briny, part-creamy, part-herby, and part-smoky—and all parts luscious, especially when spread on the crostini rounds served alongside.
Truffle Pasta
Truffle-infused pasta dishes have exploded in popularity in the past years, and Bizu joins the party with their own Truffle Pasta (P450). This decidedly rich dish features al-dente strands of linguine in a cream sauce scented with truffle—whose deeply savory and aromatic profile is brought out by earthy wild mushrooms and Vaudois sausage also in the mix.
Bizu Burger
Burgers may be a staple of American fast-food joints, but Bizu gives it its own French-European spin in its Bizu Burger (P580). Gooey and subtly funky raclette cheese, a zingy dollop of horseradish mayo, and an earthy-sweet onion marmalade join forces to breathe European flair to an Angus-beef patty, lettuce, and tomatoes; and for the bun, Bizu goes for buttery ol’ brioche.
Croque Madame
Croque madame is a French bistro staple that doesn’t hold back on richness—and Bizu is a great place to get your fill of the classic dish. Their take on the open-faced sandwich (P450) goes for a base of buttered brioche topped with a tangy-creamy mix of dijon mustard, aioli, bechamel, and Emmental cheese—plus a sunny-side up egg and slices of prosciutto to really bring the flavors into overdrive.
Lobster Roll
Much as lobsters are associated with all things ritzy and fancy, the shellfish also makes for a damn good sandwich and Bizu proves just that with their take on a classic Lobster Roll (P1,100). Their version is a bit of a cross between the Maine and Connecticut styles of the dish, with chunks of lobster claws and tails sauteed in garlic butter, then stuffed into brioche buns along with aioli for added creaminess.
Afternoon Tea Set
Perhaps given the fast pace of our lives today, there’s something especially appealing about the idea of afternoon tea—the British tradition of sitting down, unhurried and relaxed, to a spread of tea plus savory and sweet provisions. Give it a go for yourself by calling a friend, heading over to Bizu, and ordering the Afternoon Tea Set (P1,200). Every set is good for two and comes with a variety of nibbles and treats—namely Smoked Salmon Croute, Brie Cheese and Caramelized Apples on Croute, Butter Scones with Lemon Curd and Jam, Truffle Pyramids, Petit Opera, Macaron de Paris, Orange Wedges, Croque Monsieur Tea Sandwich, and Herbed Chicken Feta Tea Sandwich.
Samba
Bizu’s got a stellar gateau game and the Samba (starts at P465/personal), in particular, is an excellent choice when the chocolate hankerings strike. This suave dessert combines layers of milk and dark Valrhona chocolate mousse with that of chocolate cake and a homemade chocolate sauce that glistens against the light.
Photos courtesy of Bizu Patisserie & Bistro.
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