It took a while before I got to find this bar-lounge type of place that I had been hearing of that was serving Chinese and Asian inspired cooking. I found “360” at the A- Venue on Makati Avenue. The place, which is done in red silks, velvet, and Chinoiserie accents, has a very relaxing feel especially when you are seated on the plush round velour banquettes.

My first visit got the more skeptical person in me and had me ordering the safe and more basic. My fresh strawberry shake arrived with the artificial sweetener as instructed to the letter and my slush did have very fresh strawberries (as I had found out later that one of the owners, Bong Velasco carried on this tradition being once a Boracay resident…) My Prawn Dumplings had a fresh firm interior and a crunchy bubbly fried wrapper.

Similarly the Fresh Shiitake Mushroom Tempura which seems to take inspiration from the street side sweet fish ball dip was wonderfully meaty with its juices exploding in every bite contrasting with a crunchy exterior.

I ordered this from their vegetarian selection and found some curious items worth coming back for next time such as some steamed tofu. A pan grilled Fish Fillet arrived topped with a colorful brunoise of various vegetables such as chopped peppers, tomatoes, onions, and a little pesto with gently fried crisp leeks that had a unique Chinese flavored accent coming from the infused chili oils that it was anointed with. The meat was moist and very tender and provided a light foil to the fried items we had started with.

As our filler, we ordered the Lotus Fried Rice which turned out to be a dark colored rice flavored with Chinese sausage encased in a lotus leaf. The rice grains maintained their whole character and their bite and were not mushy at all.

They also took on the leafy flavor and character of the wrapper which was successfully delicious and with other restaurants proved to be only a decorative accessory.

We had all decided to be a bit more adventurous on our second visit now that we have tried what this restaurant kitchen could churn out. By our second visit I got to meet Bong Velasco, the creative spirit behind the food of 360. This time we had some more of what the place could really offer like Fried Prawn Rolls that had a stuffing and were dipped in a sweet sour sauce.

The freshly fried rolls were a delight and the steaming hot interior with a crunchy wrapper will be worth going back for probably for a night of light inebriation with their other offerings.

In between sips of Bong’s version of sago (I was still switched on to eating and not on drinking mode…) with black gulaman, smooth shaved ice, and muscovado syrup, we had the Pomelo Salad that had some fresh shards of romaine and had a lipsmacking dressing of anchovies and sun dried tomatoes and topped creatively with pork floss.

Of course, one of the best sellers is their Salt and Pepper Squid which has a slightly subtle sweet twist at the end.

The Salt and Pepper Prawns, ordered by one of our groupmates who was allergic to squid, were done the same way and turned out to be a good alternative to those who like this salt and pepper style. Of course, we couldn’t do without that lotus Fried Rice again.

To cap off the meal, Bong suggested his combination of mixed berry tea with Fried Buchis filled with truffles and some with Ferrero and Rocher. I like the creative idea which is being done now in many Asian areas on this Mochi theme. (A word of warning though when you try the truffle-filled Buchi, which bleeds and could turn you into a chocolate vamp…)

The menu of this Bar-lounge-restaurant is wide and still needs some more exploration. I was a little skeptical about Bar-type places that seem to neglect the quality of their cuisine and at last, it is really difficult to discover a gem of a place that can serve good bar drinks and great Asian cooking that goes with the bar preparations.

You can count such places with only one hand… I know the next time I come back, I’ll have a clear liquid or a frothy brew on the other hand and go slow till the wee hours…. Who knows? A visual feast of miniskirts and spaghetti strings may also be in attendance…

You can email me at chefgenegonzalez@yahoo.com. Or login to www.winesandspiritsclub-philippines.com for more info.