CHEF Charles Co, the 33-year-old chef behind Executive Restobar, doesn’t believe in shortcuts when it comes to the kitchen. This philosophy is evident in the dishes he creates and serves, as one sees (and tastes) all the love and attention they get.
“I like to go through the entire process,” emphasized the maverick chef, also explaining how his limited-edition menu for Valentine’s Day is prepared with utmost attention to detail using classic French culinary techniques.
Executive Restobar is known for serving a variety of food inspired by the different culinary discoveries one finds while travelling. This concept is realized by Chef Charles, who has had experience serving the people of Dumaguete, Bacolod, Siargao and now Cebu. No wonder that this place has become somewhat like the city’s best-kept secret—most especially during these days in the middle of a pandemic.
For Valentine’s Day, the restobar goes all out as Chef Charles plans to serve the following dishes, among others:
Slow-braised poitrine de porc brochettes
Cooked to tender, the chef does away with the popular hack of using soft drinks to soften the meat.
“When we say slow-braised, it really is cooked slowly until it is perfect.” The dish is served with achiote rice pilaf, buttered corn kernels, and the acidity of pickled onions, and is best enjoyed when the accompanying orange-soy sauce reduction is drizzled on the entire plate.
“You have to pour the sauce all over the rice and pork to enjoy the dish to its fullest,” the chef suggested.
Executive Bruschetta
This starter is a creative, tasty treat which features a tall bruschetta “cup” that is filled with the restobar’s signature spicy pork sisig. Chef Charles uses ingredients like pork mask, liver pate, chili and herbs, with swirls of remoulade sauce, chili dust, and a quail egg for good measure.
With this dish, Chef Charles showcases his fondness for playing with texture, with one alternating between the crusty baguette and the chunky, classic sisig.
Lava Rocks
Of course, there’s always room for dessert. The only regular mainstay in the four-course Valentine’s special modern table menu offered by Chef Charles is a fiery dessert dubbed “Lava Rocks.”
This is actually fried vanilla gelato drenched in caramel and charcoal crumbs, then set ablaze with some rum.
“You’re supposed to toast your smores while the dessert is still aflame,” said the chef. Here, Chef Charles presents the beauty of contrasting flavors switching from sweet to bitter, then sweet again, before taking in the aroma of the evaporated liquor.
These are just three out of the eight items on the menu, leaving would-be guests the privilege of having a dining adventure set before them.
The limited “2022 for 2 Valentine’s Modern Table” menu is available only on Feb. 13 and 14, for lunch and dinner with a four-course menu, two glasses of house red wine or the handcrafted gin-based Endless Love cocktail. Reservations are encouraged at 0932-554-8263 or on Facebook and Instagram: Executive Resto Bar.
Executive Restobar is located on the second floor of the Triumph Motorcycles Showroom along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City. Right across the main gate of USP Lahug.