One of the world's acclaimed bars from Penang takes centerstage at The Bar of The Peninsula Manila in one memorable evening for yet another edition of the successful and long-running The Bar Takeover series. Step inside The Bar and experience one of Asia's 50 Best Bars at the Backdoor Bodega takeover...
Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar of Penang's acclaimed Backdoor Bodega headline the latest bar takeover series at The Bar of The Peninsula Manila. Voted one of Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2022 and 2024 and 2025's Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award winner, Backdoor Bodega brings its distinctive style and flair expressed in imaginative cocktail creations reflecting Malaysia's progressive cocktail culture. The latest edition in the unique and novel bar takeover series, The Bar at The Peninsula Manila brings you Asia's very best in four creative libations for one evening (for more on The Bar Takeover Series at The Peninsula Manila, see my previous post The Bar Takeover by Bee's Knees Tokyo At The Peninsula Manila from last year).
At The Bar, the pace picks up as Backdoor Bodega's duo of Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar prepare their signature cocktails...
...infusing hints of Malaysia's culture and heritage with each handcrafted libation. For guests, The Bar Takeover's latest edition offers an insightful glimpse of the ever changing and shifting world of mixology and cocktail culture through the inventive expressions of Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar. Spinning their own stories with each cocktail, Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar weave vibrant flavors inspired with a distinct narrative driven by the rich cultural heritage of Asia.
Each libation becomes a virtual snapshot of the region's personality and tradition, meticulously recreated by Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar of Backdoor Bodega. And seeing each step of the tedious process behind each featured cocktail up close at The Bar sets both the mood and tone for your own personal and immersive journey through the evolving and energetic pace of Penang's cocktail scene.
Yun Shen Koh sets you off on a flavorful Penang journey with the Spellbinder (P 650), a mischievously smooth and sweet concoction made with a blend of Remy Martin VSOP, cane molasses, aged soy sauce and granny smith apple soda topped with a rice paper crisp.
The addition of aged soy sauce tempers the sweetness of the cane molasses and granny smith apple soda for that cool Penang twist with its subtle salty hints. The contrasting flavors are seamlessly bounded together by the bold notes of the Remy Martin VSOP for depth.
Dip the rice paper crisp and take a bite as you savor the libation's pronounced notes slowly released as the rice paper crisp melts on the palate. Off the bat, Backdoor Bodega impresses right from the very first sip.
Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar continues your journey through Penang's cocktail culture with an homage to the notorious American rapper with the Biggie Smalls (P 650) with Remy Martin VSOP, Cynar, China-China, Dolin Dry and Luxardo Maraschino. Pleasantly sharp and flavor-forward yet soothingly smooth, the Biggie Smalls opens up the palate with each sip.
In between rounds, enjoy tasty savory bites from The Bar like the Homemade Bagnet Empanada (P 890) with carrot purée, corn cracker and sukang iloko...
...the delicately crisp and succulent Panko Shrimp Cake (P 890) served with sweet chili sauce...
...the Trio Foie Gras Tartlets (P 890) with mango chutney...
...the bite-sized Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders (P 890) packing bold, solid flavors with coleslaw and cheese...
...the Pacific Bluefin Tuna Beetroot Cone (P 890) with pickled beets, avocado mousse and toasted sesame seeds...
...and the Poached Prawns (P 890) with cauliflower mousse, caviar and lobster aioli on crisp melba toast. The Bar at The Peninsula Manila completes your refreshing tipple with its equally creative savory bites.
Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar continues the Backdoor Bodega experience with the Eugene (P 650), a witty play on yuzu and gin with its blend of Cointreau, The Botanist Island Dry, Monin Yuzu, lime blend and mishti doi or fermented sweet yogurt.
The creamy fermented yogurt gives this cocktail its milky hues and creamy finish, kicked up by the Cointreau, The Botanist Island Dry, lime and yuzu for another complex yet balanced medley of flavors. Deceptively light and smooth, the innocent sounding Eugene packs quite a solid punch after a few unguarded rounds. Enjoy another sip, and just go with the flow.
The elegant Val D'Or (P 650) or "golden valley" exudes that classic and timeless vibe with Remy Martin 1738, Antica Formula and homemade rose apple cider garnished with royal gold. The subtle sweetness of the cocktail is perfectly tempered by the deep and bold notes of Remy Martin 1738 for a proper libation.
Refined and elegantly smooth with a bold lingering finish, the Val D'Or with its golden hues rounds out the Backdoor Bodega experience at The Bar in The Peninsula Manila.
The successful series succeeds once again in bringing Asia's best bars to Manila for a unique and memorable experience. Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar's creative take on the cocktail culture scene with four exquisite handcrafted libations delivers as promised for a taste of one of Asia's 50 Best Bars at The Peninsula Manila.
And if you missed the Backdoor Bodega takeover, no worries. These cocktails may be available on the The Bar Takeover menu soon. Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar reveal one more intricate layer in the colorful tapestry of Asia's cocktail culture with their featured repertoire of Backdoor Bodega's signature handcrafted creations with more yet to come as The Bar Takeover series continues.
The Bar Takeover series at The Peninsula Manila remains one of the metro's best running programs showcasing Asia's vibrant cocktail culture. Where else can you experience Asia's 50 Best Bars without a plane ticket?
Let The Bar at The Peninsula Manila take you to Asia's 50 Best Bars without leaving the metro. And pick your spot by the bar for a few soothing rounds of libations. And tasty bites too.
The Bar is located at the Ground Floor of The Peninsula Manila, Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati, Metro Manila. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/ThePeninsulaManila/ and https://www.instagram.com/thepeninsulamanila/ for more information and updates or call 28897 2888 for inquiries.
Dude for Food is now on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, check out these social media accounts for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Got something to share? I'd love to hear from you...