By ANTONIO DELOS REYES
Bistros might be Parisian in origin but they have evolved to become a catch-all term where diners can enjoy local favorites. The word evokes images of comfort food enjoyed in a relaxing ambiance, a place where guests can take their time to enjoy the food and the environment.
The Raintree Hospitality Group’s (RHG) latest restaurant venture, Jones All Day aims to capture this environment. Nestled in the heart of Serendra in Bonifacio Global City, the restaurant is a modern take on bistro dining with an international twist.
“Jones All Day is the evolution of Mr. Jones, our 50’s and 60’s American diner concept in Makati. Think of it as Mr. Jones’ granddaughter taking over the reins of the business. She’s well-traveled and she wants to bring the diner up to date,” RHG owner Martin Wisniewskishared.
This can be clearly seen in the menu of Jones All Day which features dishes drawing inspiration from different countries across the world. The Thai Crudo features thinly-sliced fish marinated in sambal paste, Thai basil, kaffir, cilantro, and lime vinaigrette. The Dan Dan Noodles combine Italian and Chinese sensibilities, with fresh pasta tossed in a savory Szechuan chili oil with garlic, cilantro and sesame seeds.
Jumping from Asia to Africa, there are croquettes with double smoked bacon served on a bed of roasted pepper harissa sauce. Channeling vintage Americana is the alphabet soup — a hearty tomato cream soup with alphabet pasta. Meanwhile, the French onion soup is distinctively European.
Being in the Philippines, Jones All Day also features Filipino fare. The Mr. Jones’ Filipino breakfast allows diners to choose between crispy smoked bangus, garlic Amadeo longganisa, or the crowd favorite Mr. Jones’ Famous Tapa, which is served with garlic rice, 2 eggs, and atchara.
For those who prefer something heftier, the Full English breakfast will be enough to please even the most voracious of appetites. It is a protein-heavy meal with bangers, double-smoked bacon, bubble & squeak, beans, all served alongside eggs, griddled sourdough, tomatoes and mushrooms.
A bistro concept wouldn’t be complete without full meals. Much like its other offerings, Jones All Day also goes international here. Steak frites is a classic European bistro meal while the Hainanese Chicken Rice is a Singaporean staple. The interplay between East and West continues, with Seafood laksa Bowl coexisting alongside Jones Schnitzel.
Another crowd favorite that makes its return is the seafood platter. Diners can enjoy a selection of fresh seafood, from oysters and clams, to tuna, salmon, and sea urchin roe sashimi, to shrimp cocktails. Jones All Day takes pride in its oysters and with good reason — each oyster is extremely fresh with a clean slightly briny flavor and sweet succulent flesh. “We take great care of our seafood. From transport, to storage, to handling, to service,” Wisniewski said.
For RHG, the opening of Jones All Day also marks the hopeful return of the restaurant industry. As restrictions ease and dining habits evolve, so do restaurants. With its modern looks and global offerings, Jones All Day hopes to bring back the joy of dining out with friends and family.
