Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen recently opened its doors in Makati, officially making the celebrity chef back in the restaurant scene. The Filipino-Chinese chef, born and raised in the US, took up Superior Level of Cuisine and Pastry at Le Cordon Bleu in London. A familiar face on television, Chef Bruce Lim first appeared on 'Magandang Umaga Pilipinas' and has become a regular face on the Asian Food Channel (AFC) starring in the shows 'Tablescapes' and 'The Boss.' The chef-host also released his first cookbook, 'Inside a Chef's Life,' where he shares over 50 recipes that shows his transition from being a foodie to a culinary icon.
Chef Bruce Lim
Photo from Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen Facebook Page
Just as he has put Filipino flavors in the spotlight of his previous restaurants, Chef Bruce Lim showcases polished plates of international cuisine in Rustique Kitchen, some of which are enhanced with indigenous ingredients our local palates are familiar with.
Photo from Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen Facebook Page
They offer Ilocos Corn Chowder (P225), which is a corn relish topped with crispy fried bagnet. Their Caesar Salad (P225) uses queso de bola shavings, while the Char-grilled Salmon Salad (P350) is drizzled with honey calamansi vinaigrette. Dayap vinaigrette is used for their seared Prawn Salad (P350), which also showcases green papaya and fried monggo. The Clam Pasta (P375) has clams simmered in lambanog and white wine. Their lunch menu features three kinds of sandwiches: a classic burger (Good Ole Burger – P390), an oven roasted turkey sandwich (Gobble gobble sandwich – P360), and a grilled steak sandwich (Bistro Steak Sandwich – P275).
Photo from Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen Facebook Page
Visit the restaurant for dinner and you can choose to order entrees like their Sautéed French Beans with danggit (P150), Lamb Rack crusted with pili nuts (P995), and Duck confit with kalabasa cream sauce (P695). Pinoy classics with the chef's own twist can be had with the Tortang Talong IP150) and Sizzling oxtail kare-kare (P550). Pair your evening meal with their house cocktails or house mocktails, all of which are priced below P200 per glass.
Photo from Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen Facebook Page
Rounding up the menu of Rustique Kitchen is a trio of desserts. If in previous establishments the chef has served Buko Panacotta and Buko Pie Martini, now he has Signature Buko Pie (P150) served in a glass. Try the Quesong Puti Cheesecake (P250) with mangoes and strawberries, and for chocoholics and fans of Chef Bruce's Tablea Torte, they serve a Warm Chocolate Tart (P250) with berries and cream.
Photo from Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen Facebook Page
Chef Bruce Lim's Rustique Kitchen is located at Leelin Building II, 820 Arnaiz Ave. (Formerly Pasay Road), Makati City. Open Mondays-Fridays for lunch (12pm – 3pm) and dinner (6pm – 11pm), and Saturdays for dinner (6pm – 11pm); closed on Sundays. Call (02) 750 2104 for reservations. Like them on Facebook (/rustiquekitchenmanila), follow on Twitter and Instagram (@rustiquekitchen).
