Cars & cuisine: Volkswagen & Ilustrado’s indulgent alliance

What’s better than being surrounded by beautiful cars? Being surrounded by beautiful cars AND delicious food. That is what Volkswagen brings with the new “V by Ilustrado Café and Lounge.”

V is a collaboration between 80-year old world-renowned carmaker Volkswagen and the 27-year old Ilustrado restaurant. Through V, clients get to enjoy good food while viewing the latest Volkswagen cars. Customers dine in sleek interiors surrounded by white and glass walls, with a view of the entire Volkswagen fleet.

Formed in January 2016, V was initially created to cater primarily to clients enjoying the Volkswagen showroom and members and affiliates of the Ayala Group of Companies (which Volkswagen BGC is a part of). Starting June 2016, the public can enjoy the V experience.

Volkswagen Philippines President & CEO John Philip Orbeta explains why they opened V to the public: “The addition of V by Ilustrado Café & Lounge elevates the overall Volkswagen lifestyle experience we want for our customers when they come in. We not only offer world-class automotive excellence, but we now also bid culinary excellence fitting of the Volkswagen mark.”

The iconic VW Beetle, the luxurious Passat, the sporty VW Touareg… these are some of the eye-candy that will satisfy customers’ sense of sight while dining in V. To satisfy their sense of taste, V offers notable Filipino-Spanish fare that Ilustrado is known for. 

“From Callos Madrilena and Adobong Bagnet with crab fat to specialty pastas, paninis and tapas and soon Filipino breakfast and merienda fare, clients of both Volkswagen and Ilustrado will surely enjoy what we have to offer,” said Ilustrado owner Boni Pimentel.

During V’s exclusive opening on June 16, resident chef Bernice Pimentel showcased her own masterpieces. I personally loved the crab-patty burgers.

Apart from food, V also offers select German beers and cocktail drinks.

V is located inside the Volkswagen showroom on 28th street Bonifacio Global City.  Restaurant hours are from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Tuesdays to Thursdays, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Fridays to Saturdays, 8:00 am to 8:00pm on Sundays.  The lounge is open until 11:00 pm on Fridays to Saturdays.

The concept of a restaurant-and-car brand collaboration is something I’ve encountered in other countries like Hong Kong and Japan. But V is the first of its kind in the Philippines, and without doubt something that blends well with the food-and-car-loving Filipino culture. As Mr. Orbeta said, “Volkswagen Philippines has combined the best of both worlds, the two fastest ways to a Pinoy’s heart into one showcase—cars and cuisine.”