Bistro Carcosa is a pleasant discovery during my recent trip to Iloilo City. Whenever I picture myself dining in Iloilo, I imagine fresh seafood, chicken inasal, and the famous La Paz Batchoy. It's a refreshing to see that Bistro Carcosa, with its elegant plating and complex dishes, is slowly introducing complexity and sophistication to the Ilonggo dining experience. It's certainly demonstrates an evolving Ilonggo palate.
Here's what you can expect from Bistro Carcosa;
Beautiful Interiors and Warm Ambiance
The ambiance of Bistro Carcosa is a far cry from the Inasal house, batchoyan, and seafood restaurants that we normally experience in Iloilo. The place has a sheek, elegant design that is reminiscent of a Texas Grillhouse that's geared towards the more affluent diners.
It's the perfect place for romantic dinner dates, celebratory dinners, or a get-together with your closest friends.
Well-Plated and Delicious Dishes
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| Complimentary Bread |
We were served with complimentary bread paired with a balsamic vinegar dip. It's a perfect way to take in the ambiance while waiting for the main entree to be served. Something you can munch on if you're still waiting for your late friends to arrive.
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| Shoestring Fries (Php 140) |
The only negative comment I had was that it wasn't very well-plated since fries kept falling into the plate and table whenever someone tries to grab a piece. Otherwise, it's a nice appetizer for all potato-loving foodies out there.
From the three dishes that we tried, the Pan Seared Market Fish was by far my favorite dish. The citrus-mustard sauce and the garnish on top really sang with flavor. The dish was very balanced, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a similarly balanced dish in Iloilo City - even though it's known for fresh seafood.
You also have to try their home-made Buko Pandan ice cream, that one's a winner!
The waiters were very attentive and friendly. It's more than what you can expect from most other restaurants in Iloilo City. That warrants high marks for the quality of their service. I would have to admit we didn't have a lot of people in the restaurant when we ate there (I recommend you go for Lunch).
Food Quality: 4.0
Service Quality: 4.5
Ambiance: 5.0
Overall Quality: 4.5
PS: I hear the food is very inconsistent. It was quite great when we tried it but friends say they didn't like the food the next time they came over. That's very sad to hear.
Here's the Bistro Carcosa Menu so that you can plan your meal;
Further reading you might like:
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Cheers,
Chef Jay
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| Southern Fried Chicken (Php 180) |
The Southern Fried Chicken was cooked to perfection - crunchy on the outside and juicy inside. The buttered crust really compliments the sweet and spicy flavors in the dish. It's like a party of flavors in your mouth. Definitely order this if you're craving for something with a bit of spice.
If you're looking for a their most affordable yet similarly delicious entree, then this is the perfect dish for you. At Php 180, Bistro Carcosa's Southern Fried Chicken is a steal!
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| Big Boy Ribs (Php 220) |
If you're looking for an affordable, well-plated rack of ribs then Bistro Carcosa can also satisfy your cravings. Surprisingly, the Big Boy Ribs is my least favorite dish from the entrees we ordered because of it's sweet and tangy sauce. I'm more of a barbecue sauce guy.
Don't get me wrong, the dish was delicious and the ribs were well-cooked (juicy not dry). This can easily have cost you over 400 pesos if you plan to order a similar dish here in Manila.
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| Pan Seared Market Fish (Php 280) |
You also have to try their home-made Buko Pandan ice cream, that one's a winner!
The waiters were very attentive and friendly. It's more than what you can expect from most other restaurants in Iloilo City. That warrants high marks for the quality of their service. I would have to admit we didn't have a lot of people in the restaurant when we ate there (I recommend you go for Lunch).
Food Quality: 4.0
Service Quality: 4.5
Ambiance: 5.0
Overall Quality: 4.5
PS: I hear the food is very inconsistent. It was quite great when we tried it but friends say they didn't like the food the next time they came over. That's very sad to hear.
Here's the Bistro Carcosa Menu so that you can plan your meal;
Bistro Carcosa
Uptown Place, Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City
09267455808
514-8086
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Don't miss out! You can follow me on Facebook or subscribe to Chef Jay's Kitchen by email to get updates on new articles. To check out my restaurant reviews, follow me on Zomato.
Cheers,
Chef Jay
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