One of the restaurant groups I admire as it has stood the test of time is LJC group.  This time I was out to try LJC's Larry's Cafe & Bar in Serendra Bonifacio Global City.  




Compared to the more spacious Cafe Adriatico, Bistro Remedios and Abe's Farm which I have visited in the past, Larry's has its distinct modern and cozy interior. 

I actually thought that LJC restaurants focused more on Filipino cuisine but looking at the menu of Larry's, I noticed that they had a whole range of comfort food from mid-priced to upper-scale items such as their Jamon Serrano.  It also covers all meals of the day as they even have breakfast meals.  They also have shisha (Arabian water pipe) available in different fruity flavors


It also has a chiller filled with their delicious cakes which makes it an ideal stopover for an afternoon snack or dessert.  They have a large selection of drinks such as milkshakes and tea to pair with the cakes too.  As the family quickly finished the Sansrival slice I brought home for them, we could probably try more of their cakes on another visit.


Food
 
Appetizer

Empanaditas (165 php)

To start our meal, we had the Empanaditas filled with spinach and pine nuts.  It has the right flakiness and thickness so I enjoyed the pastry shell.  I can't help but be amazed that this does not taste like greens or healthy at all.  I bet kids and those who don't like their leafy vegetables will enjoy this too.
 

Vegetable Samosas (150 php)

The Vegetable Samosas was served with sweet and tangy tamarind dip.  

Vegetable Samosas (150 php)

Each Vegetable Samosas had a delicately crisp shell that delivers a wonderful crackle before bursting with its surprisingly juicy and flavorful vegetable filling in every bite.

♥ Eggplant Caprese (295 php)

Beautifully plated in a long platter are the bite-size Eggplant Caprese.  The roasted eggplant, Laguna white cheese and arugula sprinkled with pesto and olive oil melodically mixed well together.

♥ Baked Bone Marrow with Garlic (295 php)

Served with a warm basket of bread, the Baked Bone Marrow with Garlic eaten as a spread is so irresistible that I felt all my worries of its guiltiness melted away when its heavenly, garlicky and buttery savoriness slowly massaged my tongue imploring me to welcome more of it into my belly.  

Salads

Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad (220 php)

The Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad was served on a square vase-like glass cup.  It was a playful presentation with the green romaine lettuce on the side and diced watermelon and feta cheese cubes on the center with a drizzle of white balsamic vinaigrette.  

Main Course

♥ American Beef Stew (460 php)

The American Beef Stew is US top blade beef slowly cooked so it's very soft that even its tasty nutritious ligaments were easy to mince.  The sauce is rich and zesty which makes it very enticing especially with its its mashed potato siding. 

♥ Larry's Lamb Curry (595 php)

The Larry's Lamb Curry is one of the best lamb dishes I have ever had.  This could easily fool those who are against a lamb's gamey taste as it was very clean tasting and soft that you'd think it was beef.  The cashew curry blend was rich in spice yet creamy and smooth as well.  It is served with diced fried bananas, boiled egg and raisins.

♥ Fillet of Galunggong a La Nicoise (295 php)

The Fillet of Galunggong a La Nicoise is the most extravagant version I've encountered.  There was not a hint of fishiness in it and because it is boneless, I found it pleasurable to munch.  

Chicken Scaloppini Pancetta (395 php)

The Chicken Scaloppini Pancetta is a huge portion of flattened chicken breast fillet bathe in an alluring creamy Italian bacon and mushroom sauce.  You can choose your side: french fries, mashed potatoes or steamed rice.  We had the first option.


Panini

Verdura Panini (255 php)

An equally hefty meal by itself is the Verdura Panini.  Filled with onion zucchini, tomato and gooey melted mozzarella with basil pesto, this is a must try.   

Souffles

Grand Marnier Souffle (265 php)

The Grand Marnier Souffle looks fantastic with its big puff that of course collapse once I had my spoonful of its minty fruity white foam of goodness.  It comes with three mini slice of orange that you can suck on to contrast the sweetness. 

Desserts

♥ Pecan Tart (155 php)

Nut addicts like me will find the Swiss-style Pecan Tart delightful.  It is simply crushed pecan nuts and caramel laid on a tart shell.  

♥ Lava Cake (165 php)

Being a chocoholic, the Lava Cake got me excited. It is served with vanilla ice cream topped with sliced almonds.  

♥ Lava Cake (165 php)

 It's rich oozing chocolate lava is enough to draw the chocoholic in me. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Overall, the dishes at Larry's Cafe & Bar exceeded my expectations.  Each dish was well-executed and portion is good for sharing.   

I've always been a fan of Sentro 1771's classic offerings, so trying out their New Menu was something you'd expect me to go for. 
 

Camote Cups

The Camote Cups are carved sweet potato filled with camote cubes, sauteed cabbage, baguio beans, pork, shrimp and sliced carrots.  I like the idea of adding camote to the usual mix of sauteed vegetables but it still lacks a wow factor for me. 

Fish of the Day Pandan

The Fish of the Day Pandan is an surprise fresh fish variant stuffs with sauted onions, tomatoes, miso and malunggay and closed with pandan leaves.  It has a nice clean flavor.  But, I would have appreciate this if it had more pandan essence to it.

Chicken Adobo sa Gata  (250 php)

The Chicken Adobo sa Gata is a blend of the classic adobo with vinegar, garlic and peppercorn but with an addition of coconut milk.  I found the coconut milk to be too light so it only added thickness in texture but not so much in terms of taste.

Seafood Bagoonng Rice (530 php)

The Seafood Bagoonng Rice is a very appetizing staple or even a meal in itself with lots of seafood bits and green mango slices.  I especially enjoyed the crispy catfish bits similar to the Thai concept of it.

Banana Tart (150 php)

Last but definitely not the least is the Banana Tart which is a sweet puff pastry topped with Banana slices and cream filling.  I loved this because it is similar to an egg tart which is my favorite.