Refreshing, innovative, creative and intriguing. And an exciting new culinary find in Quezon City...
Drawing inspiration from "the other I" referring to a person's secondary or alternative personality, Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro takes a flavorful look at nature's duality crossing borders with its unique culinary style. Classic European dishes and cooking techniques combine with distinct Asian flavors for an exciting and new dining experience that will leave you satisfied. It's fusion without the confusion...at Alter Ego European-Asian Bistro.
Located along First Street corner Dona Hemady Street in New Manila, Alter Ego shares its own creative take on European and Asian flavors this side of the metro. Inside, diners can immediately feel the east-west vibe with its eclectic decor and you just know know it's going to be refreshingly different here at Alter Ego.
Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro is a collaborative story of discovery between owner Joy Tan (L) and her son Joshua with Chefs Ronald Lim and Benedict Bernardo (R) that takes you on an epic culinary journey of both the east and the west right in the heart of New Manila's neighborhood.
I've always had my own reservations on fusion cuisine, when many flavors seem forced for the sake of a new and creative concept. But at Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro, the flavors remain comfortingly familiar with seamless flavor combinations and cooking techniques that pair well together. Take the French classic, Beef Bourguignon (P 420 for a sharing portion), with fork-tender beef draped in a rich sauce spiked by Szechuan peppercorns for a subtle layer of soothing heat. It's a hearty dish that's great for sharing with rich flavors.
Laid on creamy mashed potatoes with mushrooms and carrots, the flavors are both rustic and real that's downright comforting.
Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro then takes another French classic, the French onion soup, and reinvents it in a fresh new way with their creative French Onion Soup Dumpling (P 190). Just think of it. Gyoza-style potstickers stuffed with sweet and smoky caramelized onions and ground beef topped with melted cheese draped in a rich onion broth. It's one of the flavorful yet unexpected surprises you can discover at Ater Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro. And the flavors and textures come together perfectly, making this dish one of many favorites at Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro.
No European bistro experience would be complete without pasta, and Alter Ego spins its own creative style with the Salted Egg Prawn Pasta (P 380) with fresh handmade pasta draped with creamy and velvety salted egg sauce topped with crunchy and succulent fried prawns.
The soft yet firm pasta is evenly coated with the salted egg yolk based sauce delivering a burst of rich flavors with every bite, followed by the refreshing tartness of the cherry tomatoes and capped by the briny sweetness of the plump deep-fried prawns.
But chefs Joy, Ronald and Benedict have even more flavorful tricks up their sleeves, like this Bibimbap Pasta (P 320), another unique pasta dish with distinct Asian notes. Gochujang, sesame, onions, mushrooms, and roasted nori on al dente spaghetti topped with an egg yolk for one tasty twist. It's another inventive east meets west creation at Alter Ego delivering the vibrant sweet, tart and mildly spicy flavors of bibimbap tempered by the egg for balanced notes in an exciting pasta dish reflecting the unique alter egos of the Chefs Joy, Ronald, and Benedict. The distinct notes weave rich layers of flavors without overpowering the other. And the fresh homemade pasta makes all the difference with its texture and deeper, rounder flavors. Where else can you indulge in a Bibimbap Pasta?
Sweet and savory notes come together in another inventive dish, Alter Ego's Chicken Pandan Paella (P 450), an elegantly plated dish with soft and fluffy rice flavored with chorizo and green peas topped with Thai chicken delicately wrapped in pandan served with a spicy aioli dip and pickled green mango.
The rice itself is richly flavored with the chorizo, and adding a generous spoonful of spicy aioli will make you want more. The tender and juicy chicken is perfectly fried with a light crispness, pairing well with the rice. In between bites, go for the side of pickled green mangoes to cleanse your palate, and you're ready for another round. It's a meal in itself, and another favorite at Alter Ego.
The traditional French cassoulet is given a fresh new spin at Alter Ego with the infusion of curry for another homey and comforting dish that's refreshingly different. The Chicken Curry Cassoulet (P 290) is masterfully executed from its delicate and crisp crust to its savory filling of chicken curry and beans. And it's another pairing that works.
And here's the beef. Alter Ego's Ribeye Steak with Hollandaise Sauce (P 650) takes the fusion concept further with a subtle yet flavorful spin, with a creamy sauce infused with kaffir lime and hints of soy sauce.
The ribeye is perfectly grilled to medium with a juicy pink center, and the Hollandaise sauce adds that flavorful punch to the savory richness of the ribeye to complete the flavors.
In between bites, why not have a refreshing salad like the Alter Ego Gorgonzola Salad (P 320) with crisp garden-fresh greens in a sweet and tart Asian-style dressing blended with the distinct notes of gorgonzola topped with red onions, candied walnuts and plump garlic shrimps.
Trained in classic cuisine, Chefs Joy, Ronald, and Benedict use European culinary techniques in many of their signature dishes like the Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Puree (P 420). Elegantly plated, it's a dish that first feeds the eyes before the palate...
The dish showcases a rich tapestry of flavors, from the fork-tender and juicy pork wrapped in bacon to the sweet potato puree and nutty pistachio streusel. Take a slice of the sous-vide pork and roll it on the pistachio streusel for a winning flavor combination.
For dessert, Alter Ego takes the French croissant for another unique spin with its Banana Coco Pandan Croissant (180) for a perfect ending to a European-Asian fusion-inspired feast.
Buttery and flaky and drizzled with chocolate topped with bananas, each bite delivers indulgent notes followed by hints of coco pandan for that Asian touch. Pair this with Alter Ego's signature coffee for that perfect ending. Like all their dishes, the fusion of flavors are deliberate with a delicate balance of rich notes. It's not a quirky mash-up for the sake of the concept, it's fusion without the confusion.
Chef Joy Tan is also a pastry chef, and you'll find a wide selection of fresh-baked treats at Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro, like flaky croissants...
...and a variety of tempting and decadent signature cakes. And if you have a special occasion that needs a customized cake, just give Alter Ego a call and they will gladly collaborate with you for that special one-of-a-kind cake.
Take a closer look at Alter Ego's chiller and you'll find that perfect cake...
...like the indulgent Japanese Cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries, kiwi fruit, grapes and other fresh fruits.
It's one more dimension to your dining experience at Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro, and there's more...
...like the Moist Chocolate Cake topped with fresh strawberries and grapes. The wide variety of creative dishes showcase a whole new of world flavors waiting to be discovered, and you can find it here at Alter Ego European-Asian Fusion Bistro and enjoy fusion without the confusion.
Alter Ego European-Asian Bistro is located at #41 First Street corner Dona Hemady Street, Brgy. Valencia, Quezon City or call 622-6109 and 717-80-33 for more information and inquiries. You can also check visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/iamalterego/ or email at reservations@alterego.com.ph.
Dude for Food is now on Facebook and Instagram, check out the FB Page and IG Feed for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.