The First BENCH CAFE Opens Today!

The BENCH Flagship Store in BGC

My love for world renowned brand BENCH encompasses the celebrities in their roster, the fragrances I love and fashion they put out on the runway. They’re practically everywhere now and it’s a good thing. Just a couple weeks ago, they’ve gone and got good looking Brooklyn Beckham in the country for a couple days so he could meet and greet his fans plus a book signing event where thousands of people actually attended.

Suyen Corporation is also bringing in food brands left and right, making this island nation no stranger to international cuisine, world class food on the Filipino table, among of which are Paul (the boulangerie), Pablo Cheesecake, St. Marc Cafe, Maisen (my favorite Katsu place!), even yummy heartwarming Marugame Udon which opened a couple months ago. Now they’re ramping up local brand BENCH in the mix putting up another feather to Ben Chan’s hat with this new brand called BENCH CAFE. This is with partnership to long time restaurateur, mogul and owner of FooDee Global Concepts - COO Eric Dee (who's a very nice chap, so passionate too by the way!). I’ll take you around their flagship store in BGC which I visited ahead of everyone last Sunday, thanks to their lovely people who invited me for dinner. :)

The Bench Flagship Store operates from 10AM-11PM more or less and this is the same schedule which they plan to follow for the store (according to the person waiting tables) but they plan to actually still serve food as long as there's still people who want  their food. The concept is simple, to make Filipino food more upscale (like a glamorized Turo Turo style dining). When I looked at the menu, there wasn't much item on it which cost an arm and a leg, probably so that they can serve food within the Php 250-450 range. That I think would make this a whole lot different from the restaurants in this vicinity, I bet they wanted to change the food landscape in BGC.   

This first BENCH CAFE is located at second floor of the Bench Flagship Store. It's at the corner of Lane O and 9th Avenue in BGC, you won't get lost when you're there. The signage, the Bench store paraphernalia stands out so if you miss this place it's your fault. Yes the store is still open while you plan to dine in so even while you're waiting for your food to arrive you can shop at the store which is connected to this place via a door on the left side or the stairs. I mean who doesn't love shopping? You'll see this and the whole menu downstairs, trust me, you won't get intimidated with the prices.

The menu is pretty varied. It's like your usual favorite Filipino dishes but done with modern techniques. I'll show you later what I'm talking about, but in a nutshell you'll never run out of favorites here because it's like home. Expats or Tourists visiting Manila may have a better way of adapting to food if you take your first shot of Filipino food here. Dishes are done impeccably with European/American/French/Spanish influences but still is first and foremost Filipino.

This is their bar, where most of your coffee and drinks will be prepared.

When you go in the store, just go up the stairs and ask to be seated. As far as service goes, they are still on their toes. There's a person manning reception, they'll tell you if the place is full (I'm sure it will be full once they open their doors).

This is one of the tables at the left side of the bar, this would be good for those who would want a little privacy. The furniture is reminiscent of American 70's design, like pre Motown but with wood all throughout which we would identify as Filipino.

There's a long bunk chair stretched on the right side of the bar and that door on the end connects to the second floor of the Bench Store. This part is very modern art deco.

It's a mix as you can see, but still clean looking. It's not too cluttered, white brick walls and wood trims, you'll feel it's fresh as soon as you step in the cafe.

Printed table mats for dining customers. Please don't stay too long unless you're going to eat.

The Food

This one is served in threes.

To start off things, I had the TINAPA CONE which is a mousse of Tinapang Bangus (Smoked Milkfish) with Filipino Salsa (tomatoes and onions) set in a crunchy lumpia cone (like a super thin flour tortilla wrap). This is a tad salty, but you'll love how you get a crunchy exterior mixed with that salty-fishy cream and fresh tomatoes mixed, like a breakfast item which you can order the whole day. I could imagine this being served like an hors d'oeuvre for a party, it felt like that.

This is the BENCHANTED ICED TEA, who's flavor profile is more on the sweet tangy, but lemon grassy style. Since you are dealing with pretty heavy flavors, this would work well in between bites.

This is their SISIG. On a normal day and restaurant this would be just pork mask, grilled, charred and chopped then served in a sizzling plate. The difference here is that you they do it with pork mask and belly, then topped with the calamansi foam where you get it to be mixed with the whole thing so it turns out to be a little tangy and savory.

It wasn't hot so I made the initiative to chop up the Siling Labuyo and mix it up, but there's a separate mousse on a plate that needed to be also mixed in.

This creamy concoction might look normal,  but no. I asked and they told me it's UTAK AIOLI. Sisig is usually served with mayo, but in provinces like Nueva Ecija (where I tasted a similar one) they actually have a secret ingredient. As the name suggests, it's actually pork brain, which makes the consistency creamy as you mix it in while it's hot.

They serve it with Pork Crackling on the side.

Then when you mix it all up, you put it on a bed of romaine lettuce and chomp it all up! It's oily, but it's fresh, those contrasts for me makes it even interesting. This would be a perfect beer match. Which reminds me, they have cocktails and wine in the bar which are pretty cheap.

For those who would want to have coffee, theirs is pretty special. This is the PANDAN LATIK. As the name suggests, it's a latte cup of coffee lined with sweet coconut cream syrup which has been dried for an hour making it sweet and sticky on the mouth of your cup. You'll get that combination of flavors as soon as your mouth touches the rim of the cup. I thought it wouldn't work, but honestly it's super good. I'd have seconds if I'm working here.

This is the BENCH/TO which is a play on the Japanese bento. It's a set of well designed meals (there are 12 varieties) which you can order indicated with a number. You just point and choose. Remember the Turo turo concept (point and point)? Among the choices, I opted to try like #12 which they call INASAL NA LIEMPO. Now you can't compare this with the one served in that fast food joint because it ain't chicken. For Keto lovers,this would be a nice plate to have.

They marinated this well, the vinegar permeates inside the pork's skin and meat so when they grill this thing, it becomes a dreamy chunk of fat that you won't be able to put down once you slice into it.

Included in the set is this small bowl of GISING GISING which is the champion of all champions that evening. I love how they didn't hold back on how hot it should be. I love this a lot that I requested it to be served a la carte and in huge batches next time because it deserves it's own spotlight. It's super good!

Two things, the ATCHARA and FILIPINO SALSA (chopped tomatoes, onions, spring onions and cilantro on soy sauce) was the perfect thing to cut the oiliness of the pork dish. Make sure you prepare that perfect bite each time you eat this BENCH/TO!

I couldn't eat the rice because of Keto, but you can opt for the Garlic Rice if you want to indulge with it on your cheat day. Remember to NEVER deprive yourself!

Imagine me drooling while I watched this on my camera LOL. Ooh I can see some of you are drooling!

To end the meal, they suggested two desserts for me to try. This is the UBE HALO HALO but it's done like a Korean Bingsu. The shaved ice was a giveaway, but it's done in an ube base. That purple yam flavor mixed in with slivers of Macapuno, sweetened Garbanzo Beans, Bananas, Leche Flan, more Ube, Nata De Coco and thick Ube Ice Cream. How can you not have one? This is no rocket science, you'll definitely love this.

For those who are watching their sugar intake, take a vacation leave because this is their signature FLAN B. Your old school leche flan just had an upgrade and got filled with strips of yummy macapuno in between. You'll feel a glimpse of coconuts, it becomes part of the mix so you don't feel or taste that it's sweet at all, it's just right.

Oh and this is totally unrelated but I saw famous Youtuber Mikey Bustos. Now thinking about it, taking a photo of him is creepy and a little stalkerish. But honestly, I was just across the table so I snapped LOL! I bet you'll see a LOT of celebrities at the BENCH CAFE pretty soon, and the best thing is they're giving away something special for the first 100 customers today!

Special coupons will be issued to dine in customers who will be the first 10 (1 Year, 1 BENCH/TO per week), next 20 will have (6 Months, 1 BENCH/TO per week), next 30 will have (3 Months worth at 1 BENCH/TO per week), last 40 guests will have 1 complimentary BENCH/TO. Now you know how to get the biggest prize of them all, try the food, be proud it's Filipino, take time to love the cuisine, the coffee because we deserve the small comforts that BENCH CAFE can give. Indulge in what they have to offer at Bench's Flagship Store at BGC. 

It only happens today, January 25. You'll probably have to line up early, but don't worry because the food's not just good... it's divine!

Trust me on the Latik Latte and the BENCH/TO #12. The INASAL NA LIEMPO and that darn heavenly GISING GISING had me still craving for it at this hour. It's 3AM and it still haunts me.  

Thank you Mr. Eric Dee for explaining the dishes, it was awesome to experience BENCH CAFE, I'll be back!

Maisen Opens Biggest Branch in Megamall

The well loved Maisen from Tokyo just landed in Manila. It's been dishing out the best Tonkatsu in the land of the rising sun since 1965. It also just opened a bigger store in SM Megamall and by the looks of it, it's the first one to open in any SM branch for that matter. When I asked the servers, they said they haven't really run out of people in this one and says sales have been phenomenal. The best Tonkatsu in the world is proving it's worth and we were there to witness its  grand launch a few days ago. It was also witnessed by celebrities Ruru Madrid, Gabbi Garcia, Enzo Pineda, male supermodels River Viiperi, Kevin Hub Smith, Eian Scully and executives from Suyen Corporation. The Maisen franchise has been acquired by Suyen Corporation, CEO Ben Chan, famous Chef Florabel Co - Yatco, restaurateur Rikki Dee (who's got several restaurants in his belt), Richard Gomez, Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez and the Queen of all media Ms. Kris Aquino. Izutsu Maisen Co. Ltd.'s very own President and CEO Takeshi Okamoto and Corporate Planning Director Tadakazu Fujishiro were also there to bear witness, they flew all the way from Japan. As for it's authenticity, Japanese expats who originally had it in Tokyo plus tourists who also tried it recently said it tasted the same. Now if that doesn't get you interested in trying out Maisen's Tonkatsu, you're going to have to watch this!

MAISEN Tonkatsu SM Megamall Launch by kumagcow

Maisen has their existing Greenbelt 5 branch for those in the south, whilst they also have another in SM City North Edsa for those up north. The biggest one in SM Megamall has a stand alone beverage area so service is impeccable. The Tonkatsu by far is the softest I've ever had in my entire life. I thought it would have crunch out side but it kinda just crumbles and melts in your mouth when you bite into it. It's that good! For this occasion, they also flew in Yorkshire pork for us from Japan. It was one for the books! You can imagine how the sauce, their own home made like bread crumbs, makes Maisen the number 1 Tonkatsu maker in the world! 

Now head on to SM Megamall's 3F Building A right in front of the Cinemas. Maisen isn't a fad, it's the real thing! It's legit!

For more information about the best Tonkatsu in the world:

Maisen Philippines

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http://www.instagram.com/maisenph

Jman x Human for SS2015

I like what I see every time I go to a HUMAN clothing store. They've got some of the edgier stuff that isn't quite worn regularly on the streets. Something bad ass, something unusual and advanced when it comes to street style. This year's Spring Summer 2015 collection is a bit special as they have collaborated with Tokyo based Filipino designer Johann Manas. His lable JMAN has been dressing up stylish gentlemen and women in Japan and Manila; and has been quite lauded in combining textures, patterns in mostly monochrome. He created a line specifically for this collaboration inspired by an Andy Warhol exhibit which happened in Tokyo. It was quite colorful this time and I bet you'll like what you're going to see!

 

They flew true blue Japanese models in and one of them opened the show. He's Ko Nakano who looks so cool in this ensemble and his jet black long hair. He is the face of JMAN x HUMAN after all!

I love the high quality textured pants; and the shirt designs reminds me so much of a Japanese dance group. Taking a black shirt and tying it up on the waist makes it a layered cover on the bottom. I would have loved to do this style on a regular basis. The leggings to open the show was too cool to notice.

I don't know his name, quite new to these Japanese models. I found his IG account though, @johnlife0125. His eyes, this physique, not too bulky and really looks nice. Pretty good stuff in Tokyo eh? I like the jackets they made for this collection, a simple black shirt, not too dressed up, and a cap all looks good on em! Notice also a pop of color there? It's pretty good on a white shirt, good for fair to dark skinned men like me.

I remember Gogo Yabari seeing women clad in short skirts, much like Japanese school girls. The striped tights, form fitting, perfect for those rubber shoes she's using too.

I found something I love, this muscle shirt is perfect for me. See the cut on the sleeve? That's exactly what I'm looking for in a shirt. HUMAN can you get this for me? Haha!

Of course buddy Miguel Lasala walked on the stage for HUMAN. He's always here, rightfully so because he's an all Filipino guy. Like an all American guy but not in America. LOL. I like the jacket on the lady too, it's like Missy Elliot-ish. Though one thing I didn't like is the moment where the ladies wear flat shoes, there oughtta be a law against that in Philippine Fashion Week. It doesn't do justice to the short ladies nor does it accentuate their assets.

The shirts above especially the one for football is reminiscent of the brands I see designed in Japan or those carried by competitor SSI. The thing is, since this is going to be sold in HUMAN stores, it'll be like half or even quarter the price in let's say.. brands like Superdry. Quality won't be an issue because I've had like several human shirts worn over the years. They don't fade or stretch out of shape if you take care of them. Now I can't wait to see these things on the shelves of the Human shop in Glorietta. Oh and wait, who doesn't love Jodily Pendre?! She looks awesome in those check pants and see-through black blouse as her top.

You know what I like about these clothes? They're current, it expresses the attitude of the designer and the people now, not yesterday, now. It's interesting and distinct. That's on the standard of HUMAN as more inclined and gearing on a lifestyle brand, even if they are on street wear. They have evolved this good and with the right kind of swag, it doesn't look dirty. I find it classy even.

I also really like the fact that they are keeping it simple. It's not too complicated to be misunderstood by ordinary people. Non fashionistas can just go to the store, pick the primary pieces and match their existing clothing. HUMAN also has some really mean accessories which you should check out, I've been buying those since I was in college. Let's not divulge the year shall we? Anyway, they are beginning to take shape and later on introduce pops of colors on shirts, shorts, socks and shoes. Much like pop art where Warhol reigns. It's where he was inspired to begin with.

The tons of colors had me thinking if I was in the same show but yes, they gambled to veer off monochrome. In our books, it looked pretty good especially on the galactic pieces and collared shirts. It's still street but a bit preppy, something college guys and gals would dig. If you want something so bad, you got to do this on Philippine Fashion Week and just watch it pay off.

These last few pieces were really good. I wanted to wear shorts for a change, even if I haven't worn one outside the streets for YEARS! Aside from that, I love the penguin tux like number that the curly Japanese guy is wearing. You can even get away with it in formal occasions here in Manila. It is MTV Awards worthy. I can see we have a bright future ahead of us, and it's all in the  HUMAN x JMAN Collection.

If you need someone you can trust, take that conviction and interpret them into clothing that's got the passion and energy that lives up to its reputation. This is way more than just a fashion show, it's been a dedication to aesthetic greatness. They did this to show greatness, and that they did. 

 

Congratulations Johann Manas, I am extremely happy you did this with HUMAN, one of Suyen's best brands. Congratulations also Sir Ben Chan and everybody who made this show possible. I love what I'm seeing and hope we get to cover more of these shows, all worthy for my lens! See you next season!

For more information about their stores:

HUMAN

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Visit their official website

http://www.be-human.com/