#BOASocials

[thehungrykat1]

BOA Kitchen & Socials Opens Its Doors in Evolving Scout Rallos

Metro Manila’s dining scene continues to flourish as it expands its horizons outside the more popular BGC and Makati districts. This cannot be more evident than in Quezon City which continues to see some of its residential neighborhoods turn into bustling restaurant communities. Timog and Tomas Morato has seen its fair share of vibrant establishments, but a new restaurant has opened just a block away that promises to turn the ever evolving Scout Rallos upside down.

BOA Kitchen + Socials opened its doors just last month and it is already attracting a good crowd with its unique dining concept. This is actually two restaurants in one, with its ambiance, interiors, and menu “evolving” from its morning to evening services. You can find it at the Mezzanine floor of the ABCD Building which is located right at the corner of Scout Rallos and Scout Tuazon. The building is not yet 100% complete, but there is ample parking at the street level and in the basement, a prime commodity in that busy area.

BOA Kitchen + Socials is two restaurants in one location. So how does that work? BOA Kitchen opens as early as 9:00am until 6:00pm serving Australian comfort food. The place is bright and spacious, serving the needs of nearby residents who can get a satisfying breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack without having to traverse the morning traffic.

In charge of the kitchen is Chef Julius Necor who honed his culinary skills under the award winning Chef Chele Gonzales of Vask and Gallery by Chele. He also has experience working at Rambla and brings his young and refreshing concepts to Quezon City.

BOA Kitchen + Socials actually takes its name from the infamous Boa Constrictor from the book, The Little Prince. Remember that simple drawing of a hat that is actually a boa constrictor digesting an elephant inside? If you have forgotten your high school literature, it simply means that what you see on the outside may be different from what is really underneath or inside. That is how BOA Kitchen + Socials works because it is “Always Changing.” Come 6:00pm, BOA Kitchen turns into BOA Socials.

The rainbow neon lights turn on, the music changes, and diners are now welcomed to BOA Socials. The menu for lunch is totally different from the dinner service, which integrates Asian-inspired classics instead. Once the clock hits 9:00pm, the mood changes once again as the lights go dim, the music turns upbeat, and the boa constrictor finally makes its long-awaited appearance.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s backtrack a little bit and explore their brunch menu. Start with some refreshing beverages like the Mango Iced Tea or Lychee Iced Tea which are fantastic upgrades to the classic iced tea we are fond of.

Their Small Plates are good for a quick snack or a light breakfast. The Shrimp Tostadas (P145) has baby shrimps on a corn tortilla with cucumber, onions, cherry tomatoes and lime-aioli dressing.

The Kimchi Quesadilla (P205) is a little fusion play on these two Korean and Mexican favorites. These thin tortilla wrappers are filled with spicy kimchi and come with mozzarella, cheddar, and gochujang cream.

I recommend getting the Torched Salmon and Avocado Toast (P245) which comes with torched smoked salmon, avocado mash, cherry tomatoes, and sourdough. It’s a unique and modern open-faced sandwich that is both healthy and tasty.

If you are here for breakfast, the self-described Fried Potatoes, Eggs and Tomatoes (P175) would be a good option with its colorful combination of these hearty brunch items.

Boa Kitchen offers some good-to-go Rice Bowls for those quick lunch gatherings. The Sisig Rice (P245) never fails to impress with its savoury sisig, garlic rice, atsara, and fried egg.

You can also get the Pasta Vongole Rosso (P285), a lovely pasta dish with spaghetti in white wine and fresh clams, tomatoes, and parsley cooked in olive oil.

For dessert, the Blueberry Waffles (P225) with homemade ricotta cheese and honey is a good way to end your lunch. You can also order this for breakfast if you want.

This may not be the Upside Down from Stranger Things, but when the evening arrives, the hat changes into a boa constrictor and you get transported to a different place, but remain in the same location. It’s time to party and mingle at BOA Socials!

The restaurant is open until 12 midnight, so whether it’s happy hour or late into the evening, their cocktail selection offers some pretty colorful choices. The Purple Potion (P320) is a Sirena butterfly blue gin that magically turns purple when mixed with tonic water. This drink best represents the changing features and characters of the restaurant.

Another interesting cocktail is the BOA Vice (P260). This comes with a combination of Smirnoff Vodka, Monin strawberey puree, fresh lime, pineapple and coconut cream.

The appetizers and main dishes are also different at BOA Socials. Order the Sisig Croquettes (P225) with six pieces of golden sisig balls. These creamy sisig bombs come with pickled green chili and toyo-mansi aioli.

Here’s something you don’t see everyday. The Pulpo (P345) or grilled octopus is a starter that you would only see in expensive tapas bars or Spanish restaurants. This octopus tentacle is served with smoked potato puree, chorizo crumbs, and paprika-thyme oil.

Other savoury starters include the Grilled Pork Bao (P185) which has a delicious pork belly on a bed of spicy gochujang barbecue and picked cucumber. On the other hand, the Karaage Bao (P185) has chicken karaage with nori, furikake, and sriracha aioli.

BOA Socials also offers some richer and heavier pasta dishes compared to its lunch time alter-ego. The Laksa (P425) is a Singaporean favorite with its creamy laksa broth, noodles, shrimp, boiled egg, tofu, bean sprouts, and fish cake.

They also have the Kimchi Noodles with Fried Egg & Cheese (P345). This unique creation comes with stir fried noodles doused in spicy kimchi sauce then prepared with bacon, crispy fried egg, and mozzarella cheese.

The Thai Fried Chicken (P345) lays in a bed of curried mashed potato, grilled corn kernels, pickled veggies and sweet chili spices. This is one of the more surprising dishes, with its curry-like spices giving the chicken a different flavor.

Another Asian specialty is the Beef Rendang with Coco Lime Rice (P425). This plate has tender beef rendang served with coco lime rice, pickled vegetables and crispy shallots.

For something a bit lighter, order the Salmon with Creamy Miso & Grilled Vegetables (P475). The 200-gram salmon fillet is cooked with creamy miso sauce, grilled zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and shitake mushrooms.

Finally, the highlight for the dinner menu would have to be the Hanging Tender (P675). This comes with 300 grams of soy-miso hanging tender steak served on a wasabi mashed potato with burnt onion puree and crispy onion roots. This is a big serving that can be shared by two or more persons, but I would rather have it to myself.

Owner Joey Marcelo and Chef Julis Necor are two young and bright restaurateurs who are promising to change the dining scene in Quezon City. Whether you like hats or snakes, BOA Kitchen + Socials is a new and upbeat location that will turn Scout Rallos into the new party place.

BOA Kitchen + Socials

Mezzanine Floor, 45 ABDC Building, Scout Rallos corner Scout Tuazon, Laging Handa, Quezon City

290-3103

www.facebook.com/boakitchen