Most restaurants, upon gaining recognition from esteemed food and lifestyle critics such as Esquire Magazine, take their success as a sign to keep doing what obviously works.
The Olive Tree Kitchen & Bar (or OTKB, for short), however, is not most restaurants.
After winning acclaim from Esquire early this year, OTKB, Bonifacio High Street’s casual antipasti bar, isn’t taking the time at all to rest on their well-deserved laurels. This July, Executive Chef Rob Pengson and Chef de Cuisine Jonvic Mangibin are planning to throw their old antipasti bar concept out the window and unveil an entirely different array of contemporary dishes.
It’s an incredibly bold step, but one look at OTKB’s creative new menu shows you that they know exactly what they’re doing. “We believe contemporary cuisine is all about empowering the ingredient and giving people a personalized experience,” Chef Mangibin says. “Everything, from the food service down to the smallest garnish on the plate, is carefully considered and composed.”
At first glance, each intricately designed dish appears intimidating, but you’ll always find that at the heart of each offering is something familiar and expertly prepared. Their Pan-Seared Salmon is whimsically combined with premium carrots and horseradish mousse, but salmon remains the star, with a texture so silky against the tongue that it’s almost a shame you have to swallow it. OTKB’s spin on the classic angus burger takes a splendid foie gras twist that can send your taste buds into overdrive.
A single bite proves you don’t need to be afraid of experimentation with OTKB at the helm. All their impeccably plated dishes are crafted with an intimate understanding of flavor and the deepest respect for ingredients. This innovative new menu will serve as the backbone of their identity going forward.
“It’s not a traditional move,” Mangibin acknowledges wryly. “We’re anything but traditional. We want to give people the flavors of fine dining but we want to do it our way. We’re ready to let everyone know what OTKB can really deliver.”
