Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: TYA Bar & Restaurant

My sister, who looks really quiet and super shy, is actually quite a bar person when she was younger!  I may be the big mouthed girl in the family but I think the number Restaurant/Bars I've been to, well, are less than the number of my fingers!  And I'm talking about the left hand only!  *poor me!*

One of the bar/restaurant my sister frequently visits with her friends is a bar called Ten Years After!  It's near the house and I heard the place is really good even for all girls' party!  

Many years after, I haven't heard about Ten Years After but I heard a certain bar newly opened last year around October called TYA bar!  Would you believe I did not even get it that it's the acronym of Ten Years After? (TYA)  Call me stupid...I agree!  *hahaha*

TYA Bar and Restaurant is located at the heart of Quezon City near ABS-CBN.  The target market of this restaurant is 18 years old and above!  It was Thursday night when we dined in this place and would you believe the place is actually packed with office workers relaxing while enjoying drinks with friends and colleagues before calling it the day?

I was able to have a quick chat with the Chef and Owner Ms. Pia Abadesco, and boy!  Do I have to add her culinary background is impressive!  Pia went to culinary school in CCA Manila as well as the Culinary Institute of America in New York.  Worked at the World Trade Center and Seaport Hotel in Boston for good 9 years and she also worked as a private chef for several prominent clients in Boston!  Adding up to her sleeves, she currently works as a Chef Consultant and Restaurateur!  The best part?  With her long list of achievements, she looks very young!  (Sorry, have to add this up as I am a beauty blogger anyways!)

Now let's get back to business and let's talk about TYA's Set Menu for Manila's Signature Dishes 2010 made available until December 31, 2010!

Velvet Shrimp Bisque Soup

Creamy shrimp tasting soup mixed with a hint of brandy!  I can taste there's something unique in this soup and I guess that's what a hint of brandy can do!  I actually popped on anti-histamine after this because it's definitely for the Shrimp Lovers!

Bacon Wrapped Fillet Mignon 

with Bleu Cheese Butter

This dish is actually new and the owners will probably add this up to their menu next year!  "A premium dish that brings to mind decadence with the richness of the cheese and indulgence of the bacon using premium cuts of beef" --- According to Chef Pia.

The dish was served well done!  I wasn't asked though how I wanted it to be cooked but it's just timing that I would choose well done anyways!  The Bacon wrapped fillet mignon is a favorite of my husband and this dish was served together with a very unique herbed bread pudding and maple glazed carrots!  I am not a carrot fan but I found myself munching on the lovely carrots.

The dish isn't overwhelming to taste and it's definitely not the regular "thick gravy sauce" most restaurants use, the juiciness of the beef mixed with a hint of sauce are quite sweet to taste!

Vanilla Ice Cream with Sugar Crisps

The original menu set is actually Creme Brule, but it wasn't available that night so we had the Vanilla Ice Cream instead which I don't mind as I haven't had ice cream for the longest time!!!

The restaurant/bar is not as scary as I've imagined with drunken masters that does the Kung Fu snake style action (ok, that's exaggerating!).  But the place is quite friendly and the tables are actually set "fine dining" style!  The only problem with going to TYA Bar & Restaurant is parking space!  It feels like a war zone to look for your space!  

TYA Bar & Restaurant

40 Sgt Esguerra Street

Quezon City, Philippines
Tel. No. (632) 928-8987

Operation hours: 5:00pm to 2:00am Mondays to Saturdays

Can book for special functions on Sunday

This set is available until end of December 2010  Chef Pia told me that they plan to include the Bacon Wrapped Fillet Mignon with Bleu Cheese Butter in their main menu by year 2011 so everyone can give this dish a taste!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy! 

Unilever Foodsolutions (UFS), being the preferred foodservice business partners among restaurateurs, felt the need to acknowledge notable restaurants who are developing Manila as a culinary city.  They have partnerered with select restaurants within the metropolis in coming up with signature dishes.  UFS has synergized with these restaurants, both through dish development and promotion campaign for these signature dishes, in achieving one common goal: coming up with a different culinary experiences that provide value for money and culinary memories for diners.  
 
If you're a restaurateur (or an aspiring one) and in need of help in coming with your signature dish, call (632) 588-8855 or email at foodsolutions.philippines@unilever.com.