Where To Find Some of the Best Sushi, Pasta and Pizza? Just Step Inside This Wine Shop...

It's true. Some of the best culinary gems can be found in the most surprising places. One wine shop along Arnaiz Street proves it time and again...

You can find all your favorite wines at Ralph's Wines & Spirits, but did you know you can enjoy sumptuous pasta, pizza and even sushi too? Here's proof that surprising discoveries and tasty new finds still exists where you least expect it...

Driving by Arnaiz Street and you can't miss the bright signage of Ralph's Wines & Spirits. While the familiar sign signals a vast selection of fine wines, not everyone knows that this wine shop is serving up some of the best pizza, pasta and sushi in the metro. An icon in the wine retail scene, Ralph's Wines & Spirits remains a solid player in the competitive category. Through the years, the business expanded to include restaurants like Mona Lisa Ristorante with their Italian cuisine and The Wine Museum with their Spanish offerings pairing well with, you guessed it, their fine repertoire of wines from around the world. Step inside the wine shop, but don't expect to get a table right away. 

But there's even more surprises if you take a few more steps deep inside Ralph's Wines & Spirits. Inside the wine shop, you'll find a sushi bar helmed by Rafa Joseph serving authentic Japanese cuisine. The Koji Sake Bar also boasts of an impressive inventory of Japanese sake to pair with your dish. 

The Koji Sake Bar's menu includes appetizers like Agedashi Tofu, Uni Hiyayako with sea urchin roe, Crunchy Mushroom, Crunchy Okra and The Koji Special with its medley of fresh marinated seafood on rice. The menu also includes an extensive array of sashimi, sushi, rolls and soups like the soy-based Oden Soup with a variety of toppings and Asari No Sakamushi with sake-steamed clams. You'll find tempura in the menu too like Ebi, Kisu, Lapu-Lapu and Mixed Tempura along with Soba and The Koji Bento Box. Depending on what you're craving, you can choose from Italian, Spanish and Japanese all in one place at Ralph's Wines & Spirits. Or make it an evening to remember by enjoying all three cuisines paired with some spirited libation.

The Margherita (P 520) from the Mona Lisa Ristorante menu is a good option to start with at Ralph's Wines & Spirits. Slathered with fresh tomato sauce and topped with tart tomatoes, creamy Mozzarella and sweet basil, the Margherita delivers fresh and bold flavors on a thin and delicately crisp crust... 

...perfect with a bottle of red wine. Other pizza options include the Quattro Formagi (P 520) and Miguelli Calabrese (P 520) with homemade Italian sausages and Provolone.

The Gyoza (P 150) from the menu of The Koji Sake Bar delivers that textural contrast of soft and chewy with that seared crispness everyone looks for in a Japanese dumpling. The juicy filling brings a flavorful burst of savory notes pairing well with an ice-cold Sapporo. 

From the Mona Lisa Ristorante menu, the Vongole (P 550) with roasted garlic, succulent clams, olive oil and white wine sauce on soft yet firm al dente noodles is perfectly executed. The flavors are clean and uncomplicated with the subtle briny sweetness of the clams and olive oil coming together in a seamless blend rounded out by the nutty hints of garlic. You can also opt for the hearty Bolognese (P 550) and Pescatore (P 550) with assorted seafood. More wine? Simply walk up the shelves lining the walls and pick your wine.

The Spicy Tuna Maki (P 360) loaded with chunks of fresh tuna draped in a smooth dressing delivering a soothing heat was a preview of the tasty offerings along with the Gyoza from The Koji Sake Bar. Both dishes hit all the right notes, with more to be discovered in the most unexpected of places. From pizza to pasta and sushi, a return visit is definitely in order at this wine shop along Arnaiz Street...

Ralphs Wines & Spirits is located at Unit 101, Pamana Building, 926 Arnaiz Street, Makati.

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