Descanzo Bar & Resto Review

Looking for a good place for some R&R right after a hard day’s work in Ortigas? You could probably check out Descanzo Bar & Resto right along Garnet Road! A cozy and homey place offering good food and a variety of drinks priced affordably, laid-back music sometimes with live performances as well as hospitable servers, welcoming owners and fellow patrons you can share a good time with, it’s a go-to place for young professionals and Ortigas residents alike. Kind of a good alternative than walk all the way to Metrowalk.

Directions: The bar is located directly at the ground floor of Emerald Mansion along Garnet Road. So if you work at Ortigas Centre, you can just take a walk to the place and avoid the hassle of bringing your car there. There’s ample parking space in the area, but you never know when the places will be packed with people.

This 80’s themed bar, formerly named Cafe A-Go-Go, can accommodate up to 110 patrons, having both indoor and outdoor tables. The place is a tight but like I always say, there’s always a negative and positive of things. In this case, being a little intimate can encourage the patrons and even the owners alike to socialize more.

Right photo: Long Island – P120

Whether you plan on having a belly-filling meal or just chilling with some friends along with a couple buckets of beer and sides, you can do both! Their menu consists of Appetizers, All-day Breakfast (they open at 7am), Rice Meals, Rice Bowls, Panini, Combo Meals, Pizza, Group Meals, Inxs, Beer / Alcopops, Hard Drinks, Cocktails, Non-Alcoholic, Cold and Hot Drinks. Plenty of food and beverage choices to choose from!

Let’s get to the yummy food we had!

Meat Medley Pizza – P140

Ginataang Kuhol – P180

Quesadilla – P150

Chicken Basil Panini – P130

Nachos – P110

Tequila Sunrise – P120 / Margarita – P120

What else do they have? Here’s a screen of their menu:

Overall, food was great– served in generous proportions, decently priced and taste good. But among everything we ordered, I have to say I loved the Ginataang Kuhol, Quesadilla and Panini the most. Although don’t let that discourage you from ordering the pizza and nachos- they’re good, too! There’s a lot more to try for us in their menu so the next time I come here, I’ll make sure to try the others. Do comment if you have recommendations!

Blending along as you enjoy your food are nice laid-back music sometimes accompanied with live performances if you happen to go there on their acoustic nights. We did- and they even held a free jam which my friends volunteered to sing with them. You can request most songs since they’re pros already. Fun times!

Music performers that night

Free-jammers: Osawa Lauran and a friend of the performers

Verdict: A thumbs up for Descanzo Bar! Definitely the time and money given here was well-spent. Good food, affordable drinks, and cozy place packed with hospitable people. It’ll be on my to-revisit places when I’m around Ortigas. Well, I still have to try the other dishes they offer, after all. ????

Two of the owners: Marcus Ner, Don Alimbuyugen, Cesar Redolozo & Jay Resterio

RATING: 8.2/10