Restaurant Review: Alchemy Bistro Bar

I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email invitation from Janine Mendoza, Marketing Manager of Alchemy Bistro Bar. I told Janine my apprehensions telling her that I might not be able to try out some items from their menu because of my pregnancy. But Janine assured me that they offer a wide array of food choices, even healthy ones, which cater to all kinds of guests, pregnant women like me included! And so one rainy, Saturday afternoon, we had the chance to check out this hot spot at the heart of Makati.


Now, let’s talk about my favorite part of my visit at Alchemy Bistro Bar – the food! Hahahaha! My husband and I were so lucky to have witnessed the extreme generosity of Alchemy’s management. I told them beforehand that I would just be bringing a plus one. Had I known that they would be serving the amount of food that they did, I would have brought the entire Kolokoy Household with me! My husband kept on asking the server when she would stop serving food. =))

The Artichoke Spinach Dip was the perfect way to jumpstart our gastronomic adventure at Alchemy! I love spinach dips! I find it a perfect match for both breads and chips. In this case, the dip goes with crunchy pita triangles. The Artichoke Spinach Dip has the perfect blend of sweetness and tanginess. The taste of the cream cheese was very evident. And there was that distinct kick at the end of every bite from an ingredient which we could not put a finger on. My husband and I were debating whether it’s ginger or curry or some unidentified kind of herb. But the bottom line is, it’s delightfully delicious!

One of the things that Janine mentioned to me prior to our visit was their wood-fired pizzas. I am totally fascinated with wood-fired pizzas ever since I first tried it years ago. Its exceptional flavors and distinct texture have always been pleasing to my taste buds. So imagine how my eyes beamed when this beautiful thing arrived to our table!

Based from the menu, Alchemy Pizza has speck, arugula, Scamorza cheese, balsamic reduction and truffle oil. The taste of the speck tickled my palates. It’s like eating a hybrid of ham, bacon, salami and salmon. It may look so plain but it’s packed with so much flavors. Its saltiness goes perfectly well with the slight bitterness of the arugula and the perfect mix of sweetness and acidity of the balsamic reduction. The smoky flavor of the speck blends well with the Scamorza cheese. And oh, let’s not forget the striking aroma of the truffle oil!

Alchemy also let us try their Roasted Beetroot Salad. I have always been intrigued with beetroot ever since I saw it in the hands of Rachael Ray, Ina Garten, Guy Fieri and almost all the other Food Network celebrities! Trying it for the first time was a welcomed experience.

I have to warn you, though, that beetroot is not for everybody. Some palates may repel its earthy flavor. I initially didn’t like, but I learned to appreciate its uniqueness. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the same for my husband. Hahaha! I therefore conclude that it’s an acquired taste. Good thing that the salad has cheese, walnuts and apples to balance out the earthy flavor of the beetroot.

And then they served us steak! Steak!!! I am not sure about other pregnant women, but my cravings for steak became more frequent ever since I got pregnant. I guess it’s my body’s way of telling me to get more protein and iron.

Anyway, this has got to be the most fragrant steak I have ever tasted. We could already smell all its crazy goodness even before it arrived to our table. The thickness and tenderness of the steak are both perfect. Cutting it into pieces was simply effortless. The meat is very juicy, too! And the sauce! Oh my, the sauce! The peppercorn sauce is insanely tasty especially as it mixes with the natural juices of the meat!

A bowl of Market Greens was served to us along with the Steak Frites. I am not sure whether they come together or it’s a separate order. I got confused because of the number of plates being served to us non-stop. Hahaha! Anyway, I appreciated the freshness of the vegetables along with the perfect blend of acidity and hint of sweetness of the salad dressing.

We also got to sink our teeth in their Boeuf Bourguignon – US Angus beef marinated in red wine, cognac, lardon and glazed onions. I immediately tasted the alcohol on my first bite. I know that the alcohol has probably “evaporated” during the cooking process, but I didn’t touch it further just to be on the safe side. I just focused my attention on the tasty pasta that came with it! Hahaha! Because I didn’t touch the beef, my loss suddenly became my husband’s gain! That same night, he reheated the beef and enjoyed it with a cold glass of beer!

My husband, being a big fish-eater, was so happy with Alchemy’s Pan Seared Salmon. If you’re an avid reader of this blog, then you probably know that fish is my least favorite member of the food pyramid. Haha! I only eat salmon if it’s in the form of sashimi. But being married to Boyet and the fact that I need Omega-3 for my growing baby, I have learned to love salmon. I even find myself craving for it once in a while. I’m not saying this because our dinner was complimentary, but my husband and I really enjoyed Alchemy’s Pan Seared Salmon! The taste of salmon usually gets too overpowering, but it wasn’t the case with this dish. And to top it all, we didn’t get the fishy smell and taste.

The natural fats of the salmon mixed with the buttered vegetables were a perfect combination. And let us not forget the mashed potatoes that came with it. Its silky texture makes each bite slips down my throat effortlessly. I think I instantly inhaled it along with all of its creamy goodness!

Alchemy Bistro Bar is one-stop shop for both foodies and partygoers. With its mouth-watering food choices and unique ambiance, it’s a perfect place to unwind after a stressful day at work or simply indulge in a gastronomic feast!


Alchemy Bistro Bar
4893 Durban St. cor Polaris St.
Barangay Poblacion,
Makati City