Taggo Favorite Manila Restaurants: Going for Seconds at 2nd's

Comfort food revisited. Definitely going back for seconds at 2nd's...

Selected as one of Taggo's Favorite Manila Restaurants, 2nd's offers its own refreshing take on comfort food. Call it a second take on comfort food by 2nd's...

Inside 2nd's, the spacious interiors exude an elegant yet casual vibe, the kind that simply makes you feel at home. The muted lighting and predominant dark tones give it a relaxed formality and a masculine aura. And it's got a well-stocked bar to complete the space...now that's my kind of place. 

At the bar, I go for my usual, the classic Old-Fashioned, blended with a stiff Jim Beam and bitters. Well balanced, smooth and easy with just enough punch for that distinct burn and bite at the back of your mouth. A great cocktail and I'm off to a good start at 2nd's...

And here's a great pairing with your Old-Fashioned. Bacon Chicharon (P 340), served with muscovado mustard dip and spiced vinegar. How else can you improve on bacon? Leave it to 2nd's to take your favorite slab of pork to the second level. Perfectly crisp, with the richness balanced by the subtle smoky and salty notes of the bacon. The sweet mustard dip and spiced vinegar adds even more layers of flavor as you go for another piece. And another.

Smoked Caprese Tower (P 430), layers of tomatoes, pesto, balsamic glaze, mesclun greens, and smoked Laguna white cheese. 2nd's adds a unique local twist to the Caprese Salad with the use of a local smoked white cheese, with its more pronounced saltiness to perk up the flavors of the salad. Bold, flavor-forward notes come right after another with every bite, from the tart tomatoes to the nutty pesto, the sharp balsamic glaze and the briny white cheese.

Still off the menu, the new Risotto de Mariscos will soon be included in the list of dishes. Topped with plump shrimps, squid, and mussels, the new risotto dish is rich, soft, and creamy, and a welcome addition. I like the fact that the kitchen is constantly tweaking and reinventing familiar dishes and transforming it with a refreshing and playful spin.

Crispy Duck Confit (P 895), crisp brined and fried duck on creamy Emmenthal mash and sweet duck jus, served with sides of pineapple chutney and sauteed red and white cabbage. The crispy duck contrasts with the creamy mash for a rich play on textures, rounded out by the rich duck jus for even more flavors. The sweet and tart pineapple chutney balances the richness of the dish, and you're ready for another bite.

Lamb Shank Kaldereta Gratin (P 995), a unique spin on a local favorite, with tender fall-off-the-bone lamb shank replacing the usual beef. The lamb shank adds a distinct richness to the comforting kaldereta dish, and I'm liking this version. The flavors of the lamb shank are clean without any of the usual gaminess. Perfect as is, or with steamed white rice, this one's a seriously good meal. Extra rice? Absolutely.

For dessert, cap your meal with the Frozen Hazelnut Chocolate (P 295), a rich and indulgent blend of cream cheese and Nutella mousse on a hazelnut Graham crust topped with Ferrero Rocher and drizzled with Frangelico Caramel. Cheesecake with Nutella and Ferrero Rocher, just can't get any better than that. And there's more. You can avail of special discounts by simply signing up with the newest social media platform...

Taggo is a social marketing platform that helps local businesses and restaurants with engagement, loyalty, and in-store fan acquisition (for more information on Taggo, visit their sites here at http://www.favoritemanilarestaurants.com/#about and here at http://taggo.me/#fan-clubs). Each restaurant is selected and hand-picked and voted by diners for inclusion in the Favorite Manila restaurants listing. And here's more good news, you can avail a special 10% discount (or any other special offer provided by the member establishment) when you use your Mastercard credit card for their bill in all Taggo member restaurants. And it only takes three easy steps:

1. Like the Restaurant's Fan Club and register your mobile number.

2. Present your mobile number to the food attendant/cashier before paying with your Mastercard.

3. Enjoy a special Fan Club benefit and a check-in is posted on the customer's Facebook wall.

An Old-Fashioned, Bacon Chicharon, Lamb Shank Kaldereta Gratin, and a Frozen Hazelnut Cheesecake...definitely going back for seconds at 2nd's.

2nd's is located at the Second Floor of Building 1, Quadrant 3, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, or call +63908-875-7656 for inquiries and reservations.

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