New BGC resto-bar gives strong ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ vibes
MANILA, Philippines — Can’t get enough of “Can’t Buy Me Love”?
Even if the hit ABS-CBN and Netflix series has already dropped its finale, the strong modern chic Chinese culture seen in the series as embodied by its young stars, the Tiu sisters Caroline, Irene and Bettina, can still be relished in Red Lotus, The Bistro Group’s new modern chic Chinese resto-bar at the third floor Terraces of One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
One can picture Caroline and Bingo spying on a murder suspect in a corner of the restaurant’s 123-seater dining area. At the bar with a cool Shanghai vibe, one can imagine Irene sharing whiskey with Snoop, while at the other side of the bar, Bettina could easily fit in having some shots with friends.
Dubbed by The Bistro Group as “the younger sister of Modern Shang,” Red Lotus has been envisioned by the restaurant conglomerate as a younger market evolution of its modern Chinese restaurant Modern Shang.
“Red Lotus are two iconic elements in the Chinese culture. It relates to our concept (of) offering authentic Chinese cuisine,” The Bistro Group’s Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Ronquillo-Along told Philstar.com in an electronic interview.
“Modern Shang is doing very well, expansion is in order but we also want to evolve the brand as it grows, appealing to today's market. Thus, the modern chic Chinese resto-bar was born while protecting our core brand Modern Shang as it continues to expand,” she explained on what motivated the company to come up with Red Lotus.
She shared what makes the new concept different from other resto-bars in the metro: “Restaurant bar-concepts have always been around but food always dominated the business. Now we see that the bar is taking a more significant share, people dining and staying longer for drinks. Such is Red Lotus. We like to believe it has an edge over others because of the Chinese culture elements found even in its curated mocktails and cocktails, not just the food, in the design and mood. Most resto-bars are Western-themed.”
Red Lotus’ menu, she said, was created by The Bistro Group's research and development team together with their corporate chef, Josh Boutwood.
“While we have about 40 % of the menu from Modern Shang's bestsellers such as Xiao Long Bao, Birthday Noodles, Braised Pork Belly, the rest of the dishes are all new and exclusive at Red Lotus like Roast Duck, Mongolian Glazed Beef, Cuapao Pork Belly Roll and much more,” Ronquillo-Along said.
Her most recommended dishes and drinks from the menu are Xiao Long Bao, Cuapao Pork Belly, Beef Mongolian and Roast Duck. For drinks, the resto-bar takes pride of Dragon’s Potion, Emerald Mule, Pandan Colada and Lavender Honey Lemonade.
Since it opened last month, the bestsellers so far are Xiao Long Bao, signature Fried Rice, Hoisin Glazed Crispy Pork, Siumai, Egg Rice, Chicken Feet and Cuapao. For dessert, Mango Pomelo is particularly popular. For drinks, the favorites are Dragons Potion, Calamansi Iced Tea, Iced Tea, Emerald Mule, Pandan Colada, Lavender Honey Lemonade and beer.
Because of its cozy and stylish ambience and accessible location at the heart of BGC, Red Lotus has been envisaged by The Bistro Group as the new “it” hangout among millennials and Gen Zs looking for a place to unwind after work. You might be unable to buy love, but surely, you can buy yourself a drink from here!
