What’s Right with Phat Wong

MS. MARGAUX SALCEDO

FINALLY Tonyboy Cojuangco gets it right. In recent years, the gazillionaire restaurateur gave us two beautiful restaurants: La Regalade on Pasay Road, boasting of the cooking of Michelin-acclaimed French chef Alain Raye, and Lolo Dad’s Brasserie at the 6750 building on Ayala Avenue that showcases the creations of multi-awarded chef Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad’s fame. Both offered exceptional food on better days but had the consistency of a whimsical mademoiselle and prices that only Mr. Cojuangco could well often afford. The result: mixed reviews and a likewise whimsical clientele. Some days full, some days empty.

Now the Cojuangco-Manuel team is presenting something that does not compromise on taste yet
remains well within reach of foodies on a beer budget. Forget Paris, hello Asia! Phat Wong presents recipes that bring Asian influences together, a kind of United Nations of Asian cooking.

Adobo and menudo are served but in siopao buns. Here the buns are deep fried for a crispy effect. The pad thai is dark and oh so full-flavored. The Hainanese chicken is flown in from Hong Kong and is yellow, not the usual white ones served in some restos here. The fat is superb.

Mami is served… with duck. They also offer baby back ribs, but for that Ariel Manuel twist, it is a tocino. Kilig to the bones, give or take a few teaspoons of vinegar. The venue is quaint, the old Ricco Renzo gallery cum cafe at the LRI Building on Reposo. The atmosphere is relaxed. And while parking may be a problem, the prices are superb. On one visit, our group of four ordered two appetizers, two noodle dishes, two entrees, everyone was full and the bill came out to only P2,000. Phat Wong Asian Cafe. Ground Floor, LRl Plaza, 210 Nicanor Garcia Street, Bel-Air II, Makati City. Tel. nos. 298-3573,555-1346. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Major credit cards accepted. Wheelchair accessible with assistance.

CHEF ARIEL MANUEL

BEST known for being the man behind the successful Lolo Dad’s fine-dining restaurant and Lolo Dad’s Brasserie, Chef Ariel Manuel is a multi-awarded chef who perfected his culinary skills doing the rounds of premiere hotels in the country, among them The Westin Philippine Plaza, Mandarin Oriental Manila, The Heritage Hotel, Makati Shangri-La Manila, The Peninsula Manila and Hyatt Regency Manila.

Chef Manuel fueled Lolo Dad’s three consecutive “Chefs on Parade” overall championship and led the Philippine team in the MLA Black box Culinary Competition in Australia (2005) and Dubai (2008). He was also the team captain of Les Toques Blanches Philippines that bagged the Highest Gold and Best of the Best awards in the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic Gourmet Buffet Challenge in 2007.

The chef represented the country in Shanghai, China for Bocuse d’Or, a prestigious international culinary competition. His Lolo Dad’s Team also represented the Philippines in the Asian Market Basket category, where the country won Gold. In August this year, the same team competed in the Philippine Culinary Cup where it bagged 13 medals in 13 categories. Chef Ariel’s latest venture is Phat Wong Asian Cafe in Makati.