IN THIS CUBAO ROOFTOP, THERE'S FRENCH DINING, SUNSET VIEW AND AN AFTERNOON MASS TOO

(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 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, while also offering a view of the surrounding buildings. Should guests prefer to dine al fresco, outdoor 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, Beef Bourguignonne, Crepes aux Champignons, Soupe De’ Oignons, and the previously mentioned Duck Leg Confit a l’Orange 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 and 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 sounded interesting but wasn’t available on our visit so we had the Dry-Aged Striploin Steak, which was a pleasant surprise, as well as the Pork Schnitzel, which uses Kurobuta dry-aged porkloin and is served with a 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 the cocktails, they have what looks like a carefully curated range of offerings: 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, and 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, there’s a modern-looking Catholic chapel just a few steps away named Sagrada Familia which has been open since September last year. There’s a daily mass (5 p.m.), a Saturday mass (5:30 p.m.), and on Sundays, there are masses at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., and 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 one can view from the General Roxas Avenue side of the roofdeck, along with a sliver of LRT 2, 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. Which just adds to the charm, really, of savoring your P1680-a-glass Deutz Classic Brut and your P780 Salmon A La Provençale. Bon appetit.  

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. 

2024-03-28T08:02:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd