A taste of Prague minus the airfare

A lot of bars in the Metro have beer, but not a lot of bars have the capability to actually make their own beer. Bravo Foods in JP Rizal, Makati, is one — if not the only — bar in the Philippines that has its own microbrewery installed in the bar itself.

Microbrewery is fast becoming a trend these days with a number of microbreweries vying for the honor of having their own distinctive recipes.

“The process of making our own beer is long but the end result is we get to give the customers a unique experience, which is why they come back for more,” explains Joel Loresco, the restaurant supervisor who also oversees the microbrewery.

The bar offers Pivo Praha, Czech-style beer in four varieties: Classic, Dark, Czech Light, and Weizen.

“For just P50, customers can enjoy a bottle of our very own restaurant-brewed beer,” says Loresco.

Aside from the fantastic Czech-style beer, Bravo Foods also offers a delectable selection of food that encompasses a wide range of tastes.

“We made sure that the menu offers something for everybody,” says Emmanuel “Manny” Manansala, who has been a chef for close to 40 years.

Bravo Foods’ menu focuses on European dishes, specifically Italian cuisine. The variety of pastas offered is enough to satisfy a certified pasta lover.

The spaghetti alla vongole is a dish cooked with fresh clams in herbs, garlic and wine sauce. The tastiness of the dish is what would endear it to a customer. The freshness of the herbs is captured and the aftertaste that the wine leaves in the mouth would make you want to twirl your fork one more time and have another helping.

For pizza lovers, the Pizza Appassionato will change the way you regard pizza. It has a firm crust, rich sauce and toppings of artichokes, capers, sausages, bacon, eggplant, onions, and, of course mozzarella. You might even be tempted to order one for take out.

For pizza lovers: Pizza Appassionato

If you want something different, the Ravioli di Spinaci Ricotta is one you won’t want to miss. This dish is more than just food; it’s an experience. The combination of the spinach, white wine and Parmesan all create a heavenly explosion in your mouth. The ravioli may be small but they’re definitely big in taste.

One dish everyone should try when they go to Bravo Foods is the Trancia Di Salmone, pan-grilled salmon fillet topped with sundried tomato, pine nuts and served on a bed of garlic spinach. The salmon literally melts in your mouth and the flavor is very rich and would most probably go to your “top foods” list.

Chef Manny notes that expats and foreigners frequent the place because of its Western, European feel and ambiance. Decorated by memorabilia proudly displaying the owner’s rich Prague culture, it’s unlike the usual bars found around the metro that cater to group-loving Filipinos. Bravo Foods has a bar where one can enjoy a glass of beer even if he isn’t with a group of friends and would just like to hang out and take a load off.

The bar is big and spacious and offers a lot of services that customers can avail of. The first floor is filled with tables and a bar, while the second floor also has a bar, a few tables and a karaoke room that can be rented. The room is perfect for a small gathering of friends on a Friday night or a birthday party. The rates are reasonable and the room is very comfortable and cozy, perfect for a round of karaoke and a serving of Bravo Foods’ bestsellers. The second floor also has a function room big enough to accommodate around 30 to 40 people for events.

It’s not every day that you get to experience what Prague has to offer, which is why Bravo Foods tries to replicate the experience as closely as possible. With its mouthwatering food and homebrewed beers, Bravo Foods is one dining and bar experience you won’t want to miss. It’s as close as you can get to an authentic Prague beer and bar experience — minus the airfare, of course.