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| The Cilantro Sour, one of the favorites during my visit that evening. Available at The Gilarmi Lounge. |
I was late from the horrendous traffic from Edsa. I don't think I'll ever be even seeing that as a normal phenomenon going to Makati. Add to that the reasons of Friday payday and the tons of people going out of their offices when the clock strikes 5/6PM and it'll just spell carmaggedon all over again. People in Makati, make sure you take time to read this article and I'll tell you about a little known place where you can get your cocktail fix in a very intimate, less foot trafficked part of the district when you step into The Gilarmi Lounge. It's an opulent little nook at the Discovery Primea Makati that's got a really good bar whipping up well designed cocktails during these crazy hours. It's the perfect place to probably hang out, let that traffic pass before you can call it a day and go home. The place also has really good food courtesy of their Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco. The bar also has been taken over by guest Mixologist Lee Watson during a small gathering, as he's one of Manila's finest.
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| Cherry Blossom Whiskey Sour |
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| Binondo Cua Pao |
The Gilarmi Lounge has some really good food which you can take with your cocktails as Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco designed Filipino Chinese inspired offerings like this Binondo Cua Pao. I used to eat this as a kid when my dad brings some home after work. Think of asado slices of meat, hoisin sauce (?), slices of cucumbers and soft steamed white bun, taken like a small sandwich. Really good. They've got the pairing really taken cared of with the Cherry Blossom Whiskey Sour which is obviously scotch based. It's not dirty at all, but there's a contrast of tanginess because of the calamansi crushed and stirred in. I liked this, the Guyabano Tarragon Mojito.
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