People can’t seem to get enough of URBN Bar and Kitchen these days—and for all the right reasons, too. Not only is it a good place with spacious interiors that encourage party-goers to dance the night away, but it is also turning into one of Manila’s most popular venues of choice for the dinner crowd.
Our main target for this visit was to sample their arsenal of bestselling desserts. First on the menu was the White Chocolate And Cookie Butter Love-Ah Cake (P270), which is, in all honesty, what heaven would taste like if it were made into a cake. Imagine biting into a soft, sweet white chocolate cake and having cookie butter flow like warm lava into your mouth, catching your tastebuds by complete surprise. This dessert is unique, delicious and simply the best thing ever.
We were also able to sample a variety of URBN’s cheesecakes, which are some of their new highlights for the year. The Salted Caramel Cheesecake (P200), a crowd favourite, is the simplest yet most pleasant among their cheesecake offerings. The sweet-salty taste of the caramel is a perfect complement to the sweet-sour flavour of the cheesecake. Note that among all that we sampled, this cheesecake is the most compact in terms of density.
The Maple Bacon Cheesecake (P250) is a somewhat salty variant not far from the classic. The light crisp of the bacon on top does add a different texture to the dessert. The Nutella and Candied Hazelnut Cheesecake (P250) takes a step away from the traditional by introducing a light, foam-like base laced with a subtle hint of Nutella. This variant is more chocolate than cheese, but remains to be a delight nonetheless. Last but not the least was my favourite cheesecake of all: the Apple Crumble Cheesecake (P250). The base is light and creamy, and the apple crumble atop adds a much welcomed extra flavour that breaks the monotony.
In terms of savoury food offerings, URBN continues to fly high in my book. Prepared and conceptualised by Chef Benjo Tuason, these delicious dishes are certainly more than just your typical bar chow orders.
The Home Made Potato Chips with Aioli and Pesto Dip (P250) serve as a perfect in-between snack when in need of a break from the sweeter dishes. The chips are light and crisp, and the two delicious dips provide two different ways to enjoy your snack. The Lamb Hash (P320) is a highly addictive dish reminiscent of sisig, with bits and pieces of lamb among other fun things. I couldn’t help but take spoonful after spoonful of this as the sheer flavour of the meat alone made me want to go on eating. Finally, we had the Crumbed and Jamon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce (P350), basic cheesy goodness that any diner can appreciate.
URBN is well on the way to establishing itself as a savvy, hip hangout for city folks looking for a good time. What I find truly commendable about them is that they put as much value on their food as they do on their entertainment. This goes to show that good food, regardless of the location and situation, is truly essential to complete the experience.
