Chapter Fort begins
New things are happening at the Fort scene. There are new restos, wine bars and chill spots for those craving for an after-office fix.
The hole-in-the-wall is back, providing a good counterpoint to the mega clubs that have sprouted around the metro. Situated at the ground level of Forbeswood Heights on Rizal Drive corner Burgos Circle (you gotta go around to familiarize yourself — the Fort is one small big Global City) are two new establishments that are fast becoming after-five watering holes for the hip, young working class.
Right beside each other are two new city-zen favorites — Basilio’s and Barcino’s. Supreme was there for the opening party of Basilio’s where chef PV Valdes and wife Jenny were on hand to welcome the guests who got their fill of yummy Basilio’s house specialties — seafood chowder, buffalo chicken salad, a mish mash of mini plates of Spanish adobo and callos, et al.
I hear from Basilio fans that the steak and mushroom pie combo with molten chocolate cake is to-die-for.
Chef PV is Paolo Basilio himself, thus the name of this cozy (Melissa La’O did the interiors) home food spot that’s always fully booked for dinner.
(For reservations, call mobile +63929 420-8842 or landline 8561742 to 43.) Showbiz meets fashion meets business as Phoem Baranda, Ira Cruz, Randy Ortiz, Ina Zamora and Neil Paras are regulars. Its next-door neighbor has had fans ever since it was a Spanish wine cellar that set up chairs and tables to make their customers appreciate their simple combination of cold cuts, tapas and Spanish wine in the back parts of the Ortigas area.
Now on its second branch at the Fort, the fans keep coming to Barcino’s, a Spanish wine bar manned by two friendly Catalan men, Dani Aliaga and Sergei Rostoll, who make you feel that you are right in the heart of Barcelona with their charm and warmth.
If you’re planning to take a table, make sure you call ahead, (landline 468-5942 and mobile +63917-5810459 and +63917-5810463) as the spot is nicely intimate, and is always full. Development is inevitable, but the new strips around the Fort area provide you with the right mix of greenery and great options for B and B.
A new chapter in nightlife begins.
