Bonitos Bar & Restaurant Los Baños — Restaurant in Los Baños

We have been living away from Elbi for 12 years but we never fail to go to Bonito's every time we come home. We have always been a big fan of this place from when it started as a small, no airconditioning but nevertheless cozy place at the corner of Lopez Ave and Demarses. Pretty much where it is now but entrance was facing Lopez Ave. It's a very small place then but everything from the menu, food presentation, plates and cutleries were high-end by Elbi standards. In the far end of the resto, there was an enclosed area with glass panels where you will see fresh, handmade pasta hanging out to dry. Needless to say, the food was excellent! So it was no surprise when Bonito's started to expand to how it is today. Although the plates and cutleries have been replaced by regular resto style eating utensils, the furnitures and the interiors definitely improved. And yes, there is airconditioning, which I guess is an absolute must these days. They have wifi, too! The menu have also expanded and it's great that they kept some of our all time favorites like the Tomato Surprise, Calamari Salad with strawberry vinegrette and Rosemary Chicken. This year's visit was a bit disappointing though. I ordered the Tomato Surprise and Calamari Salad (as always) and the former looked haphazardly prepared. It was more greasy than how I remembered it and the greens, which should be fresh, looked like it was cooked (probably assembled it while the base was still hot from frying?). It was the same thing with the salad where some of the greens were somewhat translucent giving the impression that it's no longer fresh or have been soaked in the dressing too long before serving. Despite my issues with greens and visual presentation, the flavor of the food is still commendable. My kids ordered pasta (alfredo and bolognese) and devoured it in no time 😄 Masarap daw! So I guess we will be visiting again, hoping to see better greens next year. I miss that handmade fresh...

Disappointing, but I write this with humility and hope for improvement.

Bonitos Bar and Restaurant has always been at the top of my list for good dining spots in Los Baños. It’s been our go-to for special occasions and small gatherings. We’ve always loved the place—especially the food.

Unfortunately, our recent visit did not live up to expectations. It was our first time dining at their new location, and it seems not only the address had changed but also the service.

On December 14, my family and I had a late lunch there to celebrate my birthday. What was meant to be a joyous occasion left us disheartened.

To start, my sister discreetly asked if there was a cake on the menu and if the staff could sing to surprise me. A female staff member responded curtly, saying they only had a slice of cake. My sister let it slide, but the interaction felt unnecessarily rude.

Then came the food. It arrived cold, as though it had been sitting out rather than made to order. The grilled pork belly was tough, the pizza tasted stale, and the pasta was bland and missing ingredients.

Finally, the bill took a long time to arrive. We had to follow up, only to overhear the same female staff member remark, “Bakit, cash ba yan? Kung cash yan, uunahin ko.” The restaurant wasn’t even busy at the time. And honestly, who carries cash nowadays?

I tried to be understanding, wondering if perhaps they were adjusting to new management or staff. But after reaching out through their Messenger, I learned that wasn’t the case.

I understand how challenging it is to work in the service industry—I’ve been there myself. I share this feedback not out of spite but as a reminder that consistency and care make all the difference. Every action, positive or negative, leaves an impression. I hope this serves as a nudge to restore the quality and hospitality that once made...

We ordered Bacon croquettas, Baked salmon with grilled cabbage, quinoa & furikake salad, Gambas al ajillo, Ripe mango smoothie, and Berry banana yogurt smoothie.

The Bacon croquettas were absolutely delicious—I've ordered this multiple times at Bonitos. They're soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a delightful blend of ingredients. They serve 8 pieces, making it a filling starter.

The Baked salmon was served looking slightly overcooked, almost bordering on burnt. However, the taste was still decent. It was served with tricolor quinoa, which I'm not accustomed to, so I couldn't fully appreciate if it complemented the dish well. Overall, it was okay.

The Gambas al ajillo had excessive oil (see picture), but the flavor was satisfactory.

⚠️Although their seafood menus were pricey.

The smoothies were enjoyable, especially the Berry banana yogurt smoothie, which has become my new favorite.

The restobar has a pleasant vibe and attractive design. ⚠️However, my main issue was the staff were standing too close and some staring while we ate. I would prefer a bit more distance and privacy. Additionally, their current location at One Bonitos is quite far, unlike their previous spot near the main road, which was more convenient.

UPDATE

I got to try their NEW Signature Plate, the Beef Kalderetang Batangas, which includes soup, salad, rice, brownie, lemonade, and coffee. As usual, the kaldereta was delicious, but the soup served was different from what was on the menu. The cake slice was also quite small. The coffee seemed too bitter for me, but I’m not a coffee fan, so it might be...