Dreaming Schemes and Endless Possibilities at Salt and Ice Bar

The BGC bar scene gets a much needed shot in the arm with the newest kid on the block offering succulent oysters and handcrafted cocktails. No longer a temporary pop-up, Salt and Ice Bar is now a fixed destination adding to your list of options at Uptown Bonifacio. Now that calls for a toast don't you think? 

I've seen the preview of Salt and Ice Bar months before in its pop-up stage and knew then it was a winning concept (for more on the previous Salt and Ice Oyster Bar pop-up, see my earlier post, #ShuckingAwesome: Fresh Oysters and Handcrafted Cocktails at Salt and Ice Oyster Bar). Salt and Ice Bar is another concept from the dynamic vision of one man, John Michael Hilton, the same creative force behind Koomi Natural Drinking Yogurt, Oh My Greek, Zig Healthy Made Happy and T2 Tea that's making waves in the local restaurant scene. 

But unlike John Michael Hilton's other high profile and commercially successful food ventures, there's a whole different vibe at Salt and Ice Bar with its laid back style. It's your refuge and personal space away from the chaotic urban scene, best enjoyed with a few close friends and a handcrafted cocktail. And some fresh oysters.  

As you enter Salt and Ice Bar, the rest of the chaotic outside world shuts off and stays outside the glass doors. You're among friends now... 

...and this is where you can recharge your spirits with an array of soothing concoctions at the bar. A freed mind helped along by some cocktails can open up so many prospects and opportunities, schemes and dreams. And the impressive bar becomes your ticket to an evening of endless possibilities...

From the kitchen of Salt and Ice Bar, tasty bites are served to pair with your handcrafted cocktails to start you off on a journey of fresh and bold flavors...

...like the Truffle Mushroom Arancini (P 390), deep-fried truffle mushroom rice balls stuffed with Mozzarella cheese and served with Napolitana sauce...

...the Chicken Satay Skewers (P 370), fragrant Indonesian style grilled chicken on skewers with spicy peanut sauce...

...and Tomatoes & Sourdough (P 330) with tart confit tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and fresh parsley on crisp toasted sourdough. A quick scan of the menu runs you through Salt and Ice Bar's signature offerings under witty categories like The Beginning, The Journey and The Happy Ending. 

Now for some libations. At Salt and Ice Bar, the master mixologists have some pretty wicked and inventive blends to suit your mood...

...like the Kiss Kiss (P 470), an enchanting blend of Remy Martin, Absinthe and hazelnut with its mesmerizing blue flame in its fiery dance.

A puff of smoke from the popped bubble is your cue to an evening of exciting possibilities at Salt and Ice Bar. The She's A Bliss (P 450) with Pisco La Caverda, hibiscus, apple and lemon tempts you with her smoky sweetness like a real charmer. It's tempting not to break the near perfect sphere, but evening's like this demand bursting the bubble to go with the flow. 

For me, one cocktail does it all the time...

The enduring Old-Fashioned with its deep and rich smoky notes mellowed by a fresh and tart citrus finish is just what you need to free up and declutter your head one soothing sip at a time. Salt and Ice Bar's inspired take on a timeless cocktail down to the square ice cube and orange peel reveals the depth of the bar's character. You just don't mess with the Old-Fashioned. There's still some rules when it comes to classic cocktails, and Salt and Ice Bar keeps the tradition with the Old-Fashioned.   

No session at Salt Ice Bar is complete without their signature fresh oysters...

...or their platter of Oyster Tempura, Oyster Mornay, Oyster Parmigiana, Oyster Spinach & Malunggay, Oyster Bacon & Cheese and Oyster Kilpatrick. Each style has its own distinctive and flavorful notes, threaded by the freshness and briny sweetness of the oysters. 

The Pippies (P 530) with succulent clams pan-fried with chili aligue, ginger and garlic delivers fresh and clean notes followed by a mild and soothing heat...

...while the Sea Urchin Pasta (P 610) with uni, white wine, cream reduction and salmon roe delivers a creamy richness with each bite. 

Pizza? Take your pick from the Four Cheese Pizza (P 630) and Prawn & Chili Pizza (P 570) for that perfect slice in between sips. 

A bar is probably the last place to find desserts, but Salt and Ice Bar isn't your usual bar. And Salt and Ice Bar's decadent The Happy Ending menu has just what you need for a sweet nightcap...

The Ferrero Rocher Sundae (P 520) with its medley in vanilla and chocolate is one serious dessert for a nightcap at Salt and Ice Bar. Indulgent vanilla ice cream, chocolate brownie, Ferrero Rocher Chocolate and crushed almonds, that's just a whole lot of good vibes right there.  

Happy endings are way happier with dessert at Salt and Ice Bar. And that's just one of many surprises you can expect at the newest watering hole in BGC. 

The Chocolate Soufflé (P 480) served with vanilla bean ice cream adds a traditional vibe to Salt and Ice Bar's repertoire of desserts. Just like the classic Old-Fashioned, the Chocolate Soufflé is a comfortingly familiar indulgence that doesn't need any reinventing.

One more Old-Fashioned for the road, and at least for one evening things are better than it was earlier to end the day right. Succulent oysters on a half shell, traditional cocktails and inventive new concoctions, Salt and Ice Bar has all the elements for an evening of infinite possibilities...