The awaited opening of Ristras at McKinley Hill will not push through after all. During one of our drives to Bonifacio Global City, I saw Ristras open at Fairways Tower Condominium – in the same building where Malcolm’s Place and Joey Pepperoni are. We thought it best to visit, especially as going to its first branch in the city of San Juan was something I couldn’t find time to do (read: far away from me)
Ristras the Fort boasts of modern interiors. I could see that they have just opened, as the menu wasn’t even available yet. This made it all the more confusing for a first timer like me.
This resto adopts the turo-turo way of ordering. From an array of choices, you decide which ingredients you want to go into your burrito, enchilada or taco.
Something new I’ve seen in establishments like this with a transparent counter: the use of blowtorch to caramelize or brown the cheese. Nothing wrong with this, except that blowtorching should not be a short cut to keep the food warm. As it is, the burrito served to us was at room temperature.
Hubby ordered the house’s “wet” burrito with carnitas (marinated shredded pork), pico de gallo, herbed white rice, cheese and salsa fresca. After being wrapped in tortilla, the burrito was drizzled with salsa verde and ranchero sauce.
Hubby, the Mexican food veteran, still prefers the burrito at Army Navy, or even Zapata’s. (Their burritos, albeit a tad smaller, are just within the 200 peso range.) Or maybe it was just the combination he chose. He found the sauce overwhelming the filling, when there should be good balance between the two.
At P420, this was also some luxuriously-priced burrito. Heck, it can buy me a steak meal in other restaurants already. At this price, I also expect to be served my food in a plate, not in a plain white paper tray 😀
The steak quesadilla (P340) with four big slices per order. I was only able to finish one slice, and I found out that it tastes better being reheated at home.
Rating: Ristras is overhyped Mexican grub. Since they just opened, I’d like to do this place justice by visiting again, but I’ll make sure to bring money from my Xmas bonus to pay for the OVERPRICED food 😉
Ristras Mexican restaurant
Ground Floor, Fairways Tower
5th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Tel. No. 218-0253
Ristras used to be co-owned and managed by the group of Chef Robby Goco of the Cyma and Charlies fame but eversince they left, the quality was never the same. Too bad because I used to love this concept of theirs and surely miss the old Ristras!
New owners then? Could be the reason for the quality and the price change 😀 Thanks for the info.
I think the quality has remained the same. I don’t think people eat at Ristras just bec of a chef, I certainly didn’t. The price can be steep but in the end I usually find myself splitting orders among friends.