The Blind Pig

In a post-valentine Friday, my friends and I decided that we cannot flake out on our own plan for a romantic wine and cheese night on a roof top amongst girlfriends. Weeks before valentine's day, we marked our calendar. About two days into the big day, we learned that it couldn't be done. We had no Plan B. 

But then we didn't want to lose the date so we pursued Dawn's intriguing idea of going into this bespoke bar called The Blind Pig. It feels like the place is very reminiscent of an era where bootleegers run the show during the prohibition. 

After a harried dinner that came out by batches, we hurried to the supposed location. (Some of the girls arrived very late. Work interfered. Ha ha.) We walked as fast as our feet could muster. The bar can only hold our reservation 15 minutes after the reserved hour. Good thing Dawn and Sandra went ahead. 

Dawn sent me a text for the direction: Just walk straight to Gamboa turn left to Salcedo. Finding the street was easy enough but the bar is unsigned. Anyone can easily miss it. And the door's locked. There's no tell-tale sign that it's the location. In fact, no one gets in without a reservation. 

After a moment's hesitation, Mara bravely knocked on a nondescript door. A peephole opened and she had to say the password, "we're with Dawn Niekamp." We're buzzed in and off we enter. 

The bar is characteristically dark but without the loud music. The place before me reminded me of scenes lifted out of those books I read that features New Orleans -- dark, exclusive and oozing with jazz and blues. All through the night, I kept hoping there will be a live performance on sax. 

We came to drink. And so we took a sip of Sandra's and Dawn's to help us decide which one on the menu to order. Curiously, I ordered something off the menu. We were told that the bartender could concoct any drink based on our mood. 

So, I told our bar man, Dave to recommend one for me. He asked if I want vodka based or something else. I told him to surprise me. A few minutes later I got myself a martini glass with a frothy mix of tequila, cucumber, egg white and something. It was my Pipino Drink. Tasted, okay. 

The other girls had exotic drinks. Here are Mara's. (Photos grabbed from Mara's Instagram)

I was playing with Vine so I was able to capture 6 seconds of our adventure. 

Interestingly, the house rules are way too cool not to be published here. Read on. Ladies and gentlemen of the Blind Pig

1. Keep their drinks, tempers and voices down
2. See our hostess when they desire to speak with a guest at a different table 
3. Mind their manners and those of their guests
4. Enjoy their seats at all times (except when they're in transit)
5. Hardly partake in flash photography and smokes outside the bar

And the comfort room is amazing. For a bar, you'd expect the worst. But hey, it has the softest tissue paper and sweet smelling scented red candle burning the midnight oil. 

Interestingly, the shepherd's pie tasted really good. I loved it. (Am not a fan so imagine my delight.) And the bar's version of gourmet popcorn. It sat on a bed of rosemary! Whoa. 

So, if you want a taste of a concept bar sans the overly loud music and scantily dressed women come to the Blind Pig for cerebral drinks, lovely conversation and old-world ambiance. 

Three days later, am still thinking about the Russian Hug I had before we called it a night. It had vodka, sliced strawberries and a large rock of ice.

Why don't you reserve a seat and see for yourself? 

The Blind Pig

227 Salcedo St. Corner Gamboa St

Legaspi Village

0917 549 2264

Hope you find it. 

XX

Sheng