Whenever I hear the word “moonshine” I only can think about the highly prohibited clear unaged whiskey. And to be honest, I’ve always wanted to try it as I am a whiskey person more than any other liquor. I heard it’s too strong and not for lightweights like me, still, I wanna try at least once in my life. I have asked one of my friends from the US to bring me home one hopefully she won’t forget. Haha!
Moonshine was originally a slang term for high-proof distilled spirits that were usually produced illicitly, without government authorization. In recent years, however, moonshine has been legalized in various countries and has become a commercial product. It was only legalized in the US back in 2010, can you believe that?
At first people would think Moonshine Public Urban Bar is a strictly speakeasy offering curated cocktails like that of the other speakeasies around the metro; especially when it opened its first and original branch in Makati. When it transferred to Sapphire Bloc in Ortigas it transformed into a full blown restaurant that reimagines Filipino food yet still has that speakeasy feel to it. Moonshine takes you to an atmosphere that is comfortable and familiar, relaxed and easygoing; serving up great cooking with an innovative take on classic Filipino comfort food that will satisfy even the big city tastes.
Moonshine Public Urban Bar opened back in 2014 by 5 friends: Renz Mediarito, Jehrad Dolino, Jared Sto. Tomas, Gian Mathay, and Rainier Barbers, all with a background in the food and service industry. I have known about Moonshine through Chef Jared Sto. Tomas, who is the brother of one of my very good college friends as we always frequent his first venture Tipsy Pig in Estancia (of which he is also a partner together with Chef Rainier Barbers). Unfortunately I have never stepped foot there and during the launch of their new and updated menu, another friend of mine Jam Blauta (of instagram.com/jamblautavlogs and youtube.com/JamBlauta) attended for me. Below are the food that was served to them:
Spicy Sardines Pasta – sardines used to be a common man’s food but now it has become a forefront in gourmet dishes. Moonshine uses spaghetti pasta with fresh and locally sourced-fish adding some olives and basil in there too.
Salt and Pepper Shrimp – fried shrimps spiced with salt and pepper on a bed of cucumber salad.
Shrimp Pakbet – a Filipino vegetable dish composed of a variety of vegetables. Most people would use pork with it but Moonshine's version topped it with shrimps instead making the seafood flavor more intense as the usual pinakbet uses shrimp paste for flavoring.
Chori Burger – the ever famous burger that originated from Boracay. Unlike Boracay’s version Moonshine creates their longganisa from scratch where vinegar and lots of garlic were thrown in making it less sweet unlike its Boracay counterpart.
Sizzling Laing with Chicharon – Bicolano dish composed of taro leaves and stalk cooked in coconut cream with chilies and topped with crispy pork skin.
Margarito Pizza – the usual margarita pizza contains cheese and basil leaves; Moonshine added bits and pieces of their homemade longganisa as additional toppings.
Angus Beef Adobo – remember your mom’s or grandma’s home cooked adobo? Only this one is leveled up and more posh with the use of soft, tender Angus beef, topped with quail eggs and shoestring potato fries.
Crispy Palabok with Crablets – fried glass noodles with pork-and-shrimp sauce and then topped with crispy crablets and pieces of parsley.
Longganisa Shanghai – fried spring rolls but instead of the usual ground pork filling, it is replaced with their homemade longganisa.
Of course, no visit to Moonshine is complete without some booze! A little hooch hurt nobody right? Moonshine served some of their own version of the Smoked Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour.
If you’re working or living in and around Ortigas area and just looking for a place to chill out after a long day of work, with its lush interiors that matches its comforting hearty food and signature cocktails – Moonshine Public Urban Bar will surely give you a comforting capping, any night of the week. p.s. Thanks so much Jam Blauta for the wonderful photos and write up inputs! Cover photo c/o Moonshine website.
MOONSHINE P.U.B.
The Sapphire Bloc, Sapphire Corner
Onyx Corner Garnet Road, Ortigas, Pasig City
Contact Nos: 09278000920
Email: moonshinepub@yahoo.com.ph
Website: moonshine-pub-x-public-urban-bar
Website: moonshine-pub-x-public-urban-bar
Facebook: facebook.com/moonshinephilippines
Instagram: instagram.com/moonshinephilippines
For more information, complete menu and restaurant reviews, check out their Zomato profile:
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