Restaurant Review: Mediterranean Eatery Hits All the Right Notes

Festive Philippines

Indigo Wine Bar and Bistro is the fine dining restaurant at the Discovery Shores Boracay Island in the Philippines. It has an excellent view of the beach and the sea beyond.

My server, Herman Venus, Jr., presents the mouth-watering U.S Angus rib-eye steak, which he recommended. Photo Credit: Accidental Travel Writer.

There is also an excellent wine list with wines from Australia, California, France, and other wine-producing regions.

While the menu and service is fine dining, the atmosphere is unabashedly casual. Waiters, for example, are smartly dressed in short pants.

Black olive bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and fig laced butter. Photo Credit: Accidental Travel Writer.

I was served black olive bread with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and fig and garlic butter while I sipped my first glass of a medium-bodied and fruity Australian Chardonnay by Renmano Chairman’s.

Recommended by my waiter, the wine was laced with ripe fruit and spicy vanilla with hints of spice and oak.

Crab gratin was my first course. Photo Credit: Accidental Travel Writer.

I had a second glass of Chardonnay when my first course, crab gratin, arrived! I’m not a big fan of crab, but the waiter, Herman Venus, Jr., suggested it so I decided to give it a try.

OMG! This rendition of the crustacean was enough to convert me. It was mouthwateringly delicious. Maybe I should give a second chance.

U.S. prime Angus rib-eye was my main course. Photo Credit: Accidental Travel Writer.

The waiter suggested the U.S. prime angus ribeye for my main course: 400 grams of grilled beef, served atop carrot puree and baby asparagus and accompanied by blistering leeks, potato dauphinoise, and shallot confit.

Was this delicious or what?

Without doubt, it was one of the yummiest steaks I have ever consumed.

My steak was washed down with a glass of Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied California red full of big berry flavours – currents, raspberries, and blackberries with a velvety vanilla finish.

I didn’t finish my steak so I could sample dessert (the leftover beef made an excellent dinner the following night).

My dessert was proudly brought to my table by Chef Ian Garcia. Photo Credit: Accidental Travel Writer.

The Chef asked what I would like for dessert. I suggested something light such as a fruit sorbet.

The Chef returned several minutes later with a platter of raspberry sorbet atop a gooey yet crunchy dark chocolate under layer and a piece of cheesecake with a sea salt caramel sauce.

It was to die for!!!

Stuffed to the gills, I headed straight for the swimming pool after dinner, doing laps until the lifeguard Informed me it was time for the pool to close for the night.

Not sure if I burned off any calories, but it sure was a yummy dinner!

Where

Sands Restaurant, Discovery Shores Boracay Island, Station One, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines. Telephone: (63 2) 720 8888. Read hotel reviews and check room rates on TripAdvisor.

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