After the big gatherings and reunions that happened over the past month, it is about time to renew ties with your closest buds that you only had the chance to connect with lately. Let’s just forget about the huge crowds and the blasting music for now, but rather think of intimate settings. Because we just discovered two newly opened dining venues that is perfect for your small bonding experience.

Izakaya Sake Bar
G/F Greenbelt 2 Ayala Center Makati
757-5113

Apparently Japanese restos aren’t all about sushi and sashimi, but also revolves around their traditional rice wine beverage–sake. Then came along Izakaya, a newly opened Japanese themed restaurant cum Sake Bar that offers a modern take on our well-loved Japanese cuisine.

“I have always been interested in Japanese culture. I even went to Japan for the first time last year and got me inspired to put up this place,” said club maven and restaurateur Erik Cua. With such articulate enthusiasm for all things Japanese, it is no wonder that he together with his other business partners GP Reyes, Ivan Zalameda, Raj Sadwani and Manolet Dario are all involved with this venture. Mind you, it just took them one drinking session to conceptualize the whole place.

Izakaya offers a mixture of traditional and fusion Japanese cuisine. Their menu consists mainly of designer rolls, sushi, salads, rice toppings, ramen, and yakitori. The restaurant also has Sake cocktails that’ll surely seduce your taste buds.

Design wise, Izakaya boasts of chic and easy décor. They even commissioned a Japanese artist for a gigantic painting of a dragon behind the bar. Aside from that, they offer private rooms for your mini get-togethers like their Tatami and Speakeasy room. The seduction of tastes continues with their music themed nights and drink specials.

Taverna Verde
88 Meralco Ave. cor. Julia Vargas Ortigas
633-3671

Located at the foot of the billboard found at the crossroads of Meralco Avenue and Julia Vargas Street in Ortigas, Taverna Verde offers a lush ambience for dining and drinking out. But don’t get confused with the name for a small sprawling community, you’ll find this spot to be a perfect meeting place for your pals who want to de-stress after a hard days work.

Just like any other dynamic restaurant slash bar, this establishment is conceptualized by a group of friends who love to hang out in any given date and time all dressed down. “We want people to feel homey and cozy. You can come here as you are and as casual as you want to be,” says Edwin Dazo, one of the owners.

The two-storey chill out locale hosts a nightly bash replete with tasty, unpretentious entrees: drinking and some easy music. Taverna Verde gives two options where you want to be located either indoors (for dining guests) and outdoors (for drinking sprees) seating areas.

While their menu covers an extensive array of Spanish fused dishes which are slowly becoming their bestsellers like Chorizo Pizza, Chili and Garlic Chicharones, Taverna Linguini, Callos, Penne San Miguel etc. Likewise, their specialty cocktail mixes are definitely a “must try” for newcomers. Choose from their reasonably priced drinks like Tradicional, Gingerita and Caribeno.

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