Chives Bistro & Market — Restaurant in San Roque

During our visit to Antipolo, we decided to have lunch at Chivez Bistro & Market, a farm-to-table concept restaurant. I had been wanting to try their seafood chowder, and the farm-to-table aspect added to the appeal for both of us. Upon ordering, they also served us warm bread with soy balsamic vinaigrette. This was a thoughtful touch, and the dip was delightful—tangy, salty, and slightly bitter, adding depth to the flavors.

We ordered the following:

1. Croquetas (₱235) Served hot, crunchy, and not oily. Loaded with potato puree. Could use more mozzarella cheese.

2. Seafood Chowder (₱165) Thick, creamy chowder with plenty of seafood, including squid, clams, and mussels (though the shells took up some space). Diced vegetables like carrots added natural sweetness, while celery added a mild peppery flavor.

3. Truffled Salisbury Steak (₱325) Juicy patty with two types of mushrooms (Shimeiji and Shitake) that enhanced the dish's flavor. Red rice was earthy, slightly sweet, and balanced well. Slightly underseasoned, according to my partner.

4. Beef Stroganoff (₱375) Tender and juicy beef with a creamy sauce. Mushrooms added a hearty touch. Red rice had the same balance of earthy and sweet flavors as before. Also slightly underseasoned for my taste.

Though some menu items like fries and pork chop dishes were unavailable during our visit, we enjoyed the seafood chowder the most. The restaurant's interiors had a unique charm, featuring plates with marker-written messages left by customers, including friends and artists. We’re keen to return to try their signature ribs and fries, as recommended by a...

I was expecting too much due to the rave reviews that I've read. In fact, I was already planning our next visit even before going there 'coz their menu is really extensive.

My first disappointment happened upon our arrival. We learned it was closed 'coz they were disinfecting the place. There was no announcement on FB but the staff were nice and accommodated us even if we had to dine outside.

I ordered the bestsellers/house specials to test how good the food were. The croquettes, frutti di mare pasta, and seafood chowder were okay but not exceptional. The pasta was a tad too sweet for my taste while the soup tasted more of veggies than seafood.

However, it went downhill with the lunch special. That was a huge mistake. Hubby ordered fish masala which came with red rice, spring rolls, and iced tea. They should have just called it vegetable masala. The small dish only had tiny pieces of anchovies. We were expecting at least some bits of white fish. The fried spring rolls were just wrapped glass noodles dripping in cooking oil. It was atrocious to say the least. We couldn't eat more after a small bite. The iced tea tasted like cherry or some kind of berry.

The resto is nice amd the food presentation is beautiful. So am I going back, hmmm, I guess I better explore other places in...

The restaurant is conveniently located in the Lamp Quarters, just a few minutes from Marikina Sports Center and SS Village. Lamp Quarters houses local food stops with indoor and outdoor seating perfect for big or small groups. The venue is also pet friendly for all pet lovers.

The Chives Bistro Market interior is locally inspired and local Sagada merchandise is also available. On top of that, part of the sale goes to their chosen charity.

They serve delectable food items. The House Salad is a perfect mix of greens, calamari, green apples, dilis, and vinaigrette - it is one of the best salads I ever tasted (P195 for 2-3 pax). For pasta, the Frutti di Mare is a favorite. Topped with seafoods such as clams, mussels, shrimps, and calamari, its pomodoro sauce also tastes great with the rich, fresh tomato flavor (P250 for 2-3 pax). For the entree, the Pork Belly Crisp is a favorite. Flavored by brining with natural spices, roasted, and then deep fried, it will make you savor the natural taste of pork minus the artificial spices. Its crisp skin and tender meat will make you dig in for more (P295 for 2 pax, best served with a bowl of red rice). Their Balikutsa or merangue is a perfect takeaway item especially if you love coffee as it is best served as...