BFAST Wednesday with Chef Jac and Lau

Breakfast is, quite possibly, the one meal that can be eaten at any time of the day (or night) and more than satisfy one's hunger pangs. This is especially true in the Philippines since breakfast, just like with lunch and dinner (and sometimes even merienda!), is often served with rice, making for more belly filling meal as compared to what is found in more westernized countries that prefer what is known as a 'continental' breakfast usually composed of eggs, bread or muffins, and some sort of deli meat (ham, sausages or bacon) or processed meat (hot dogs, corned beef, or luncheon meat).

So, it should not really come as much of a surprise that the husband and wife culinary team of Chefs Roland Laudico and Jacqueline Laudico (nee Juarez), better known as Chef Lau and Chef Jac, decided to take the Ayala Triangle Gardens up on their offer and open what was originally conceptualized as an all day breakfast restaurant: Chef Laudico's BFAST. After all, when it comes to comfort food, nothing is as comforting as classic Filipino breakfast dishes cooked with both tradition and innovation in mind. 

This cozy resto in Makati puts an emphasis on several important factors that both Chef Lau and Chef Jac are quite passionate about: the conceptualization of their menu, Filipino-grown organic ingredients, and putting the time and effort necessary in order to maintain the high quality of their dishes. Being chefs who have a better understanding of the technicalities involved in the preparation and cooking processes, they made sure that none of their menu items would be things that were put in a microwave or in a pressure cooker just for convenience's sake. They also make it a point to support local farmers by buying their produce. For example, the ever popular tapa served in BFAST is made from Kitayama Wagyu beef grown in the lush backyards of Bukidnon and the desserts use fresh carabao milk, making them more flavorful.

Naturally, BFAST has an array of very Filipino breakfast fare in the form of their 'silogs' These meals are composed of garlic rice, and organic egg, some salsa, plus one's choice of viand:tapa, bacon, ham, corned beef or fish tocino. However, Chefs Lau and Jackie recognized the need to expand their menu to include other dishes that may not necessarily fall under the 'breakfast' category. Thus there are 'gulays' (organic vegetable dishes) 'pinoy pastas' (pasta dishes with a uniquely filipino twist) and grilled pizzas (thin crust but definitely not thin on flavor) plus different kinds of rice, salads, soups (aka sopas) and desserts.

There is also the most lauded ensaymada sandwich that is made with brioche bread and three different kinds of fillings: corned beef with onions, BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomatoes) and the very aptly names "Eggsaymada" (ham, egg, and cheese). 

Customers craving for heavier non breakfast fare will be thrilled to know that BFAST has dishes made with organic chicken or pork, kitayama wagyu beef or seafood. Whether one wants some savory kare-kare with ox tripe, serving of mouthwatering Sinampalukang Roast Chicken with BFAST Gravy, an prder delectable Seafood Paella Valenciana, or their fair share of succulent pugon balamban roast with pinakurat soy glaze, BFAST never seems to disappoint. 

Just when one thinks things could not get any better, BFAST is well aware of Filipinos wanting the proverbial "bang" for their buck and they have definitely gone beyond that by ensuring that their prices are more than budget-friendly. The resto also happens to have items under their "SoupRice!" menu that are basically rice meals with a particular viand topping on one's choosing plus soup, drinks, and dessert all included int he very affordable price. There are also lunch and dinner buffets (11am to 2pm and 6pm to 10pm, respectively) prepared from Mondays to Thursdays and all you can eat merienda and dessert choices with a cup of coffee every single day of the week (3pm to 5pm). Want more? Then, make room over the weekend for all the wagyu beef you can eat plus a buffet to boot. (Fridays:11am to 2:30pm and 6pm to 10pm and Saturdays and Sundays: 9am to 2:30pm and 6PM to 9PM) 

The Laudicos created BFAST to share their passion for Filipino food with every customer that walks through their doors. They hope that with each meal they create and serve, the Filipino palate is able to experience the possibilities that are out there as far as taking Filipino cuisine to a world-class level. With their use of organic and fresh ingredients, their focus on local produce, and their belief in healthier food fare (Absolutely NO preservatives or extenders and, frankly, the dishes in BFAST do not need them one bit!), Chef Laudico's BFAST proves that whether its breakfast pr any other meal, food is more fun (and scrumptious) in the Philippines!