Tatler Dining Philippines

The importance of the dining experience has never been more underscored than during these past two years. We experienced the loss of our favourite eateries and realised exactly how integral the F&B industry truly is to our happiness. As Filipinos we do not eat to live, but live to eat. Pampering others, gathering with friends and family, plus exquisite food are part of who we are and what we love. Yes, things have changed in the industry, for diners, and with our habits, but our need for one another remains, only now more pronounced. Restaurateurs, chefs and bar-owners have definitely proven that they are resilient, passionate, and optimistic; despite the hardships they have innovated, created, and continued to serve–doing what they do the very best of. When we could not be…

Behind Closed Doors Restaurants with the best private dining rooms China Blue by Jereme Leung Page 123 Canton Road Page 116 Finestra Italian Steakhouse Page 141 Red Lantern Page 2242 M Dining Page 180 Txoko Asador Page 257 Oori Page 208 Enye by Chele González Page 136 Txanton Page 256 Yamazato Page 272 Nobu Manila Page 204 Deep Dives Where seafood lovers can indulge themselves Fresh Page 146 Olio Restaurant & Lounge Page 207 Cowrie Cove Seafood Bar & Grill Page 129 Azure Beach Club Pages 89, 90 Waterside Page 262 East Ocean Palace Page 134 No. 8 China House Page 203 Jade Garden Page 160 Nobu Manila Page 204 Tsukiji Page 254 A Taste of Home Filipino fare with culinary flair, from traditional comforts to modern renditions Manam Comfort Filipino Page 186 Mesa Page 192 Hapag Page 151 Toyo Eatery Page 253 Metiz Page 193 Café Ilang-Ilang Page 114 Café Laguna Page 115 Milky Way Cafe Page 196 Balay Dako Page 93 XO46 Heritage Bistro…

Two years have flown by. The pandemic has loomed upon us for that brutally long, and the casualties of war have been pretty devastating. Many employees lost their jobs, some brands had to downscale, and worse, a good number of restaurants have waved the white flag and accepted defeat. The industry is still frail and hurting. We definitely have lost a lot, all except for hope. If anything, the challenges of the past months have proven that the virus can render our bodies weak, but certainly not our spirits. As we pick ourselves up from the wreck in arms, we pay respects and acknowledge our fallen brothers whose passion, creativity and contributions had made the Manila food scene exciting. Guijo Street in Makati has become awfully quiet since modern izakaya 12/10 (2014-2020) “indefinitely…

It’s always a good time to dine. Filipinos, known for their love of food, family, and hospitality, are notorious for nourishing both the soul and the stomach. For many in the country, food isn’t simple physical nourishment—it’s a culture: one that is a joy to share with loved ones, colleagues, and even strangers. The phrase “kain tayo” is a wonderful example. It denotes an invitation to dine, and a beckoning to share blessings. Around dining tables, memories are made, moments are shared, and relationships are strengthened. While the pandemic may have changed plenty of communal eating habits, it has not taken away the Filipino passion for gastronomy. Amid all the trendy new food, catering services, and home bakeshops that have emerged on the scene as of late, people have realised one…

There are days when you’re pressed to find a cake for an upcoming get-together, then there are cakes so crave-worthy and showstopping, that they are cause for celebration all on their own. Be sure to try out the desserts from these 24 brands, each well-deserving of a spot on your foodie checklist. Wildflour wildflourmanila wildflourmanila TEL: +639 1785 20950 Known for: An old-school pineapple upside-down cake adorned with candied pineapples. Another must-order is their young coconut pie. Manila House manila_house manilahouseinc TEL: +639 1781 63685 Known for: A decadent chocolate cake with a thick coat of icing and a light layer of caramel embedded between its fluffy layers. You can't miss out on their gorgeous red velvet cake either. Lorenzo’s food4thegods_by.lorenzo TEL: +639 1754 41105 Known for: A zesty, creamy key lime pie cradled in a thick graham crust and generously topped with whipped…

Elbert Cuenca Restaurateur, partner at Metronome, founder of Elbert’s Steak Room and Elbert’s Pizzeria In 2018, I attended a pop-up dinner in Paris, featuring my Metronome chef-partner, Miko Calo. She had a Filipino menu with base ingredients, but used French techniques. Visually, none of the dishes looked like anything from back home. The sinigang looked like an elegant fish soup garnished with sliced veggies, but once I tasted it, I was reminded of the home-cooked meals I had growing up. I was blown away. It was a proud moment because Philippine cuisine stood out in this Parisian setting. Jordy Navarra Chef-owner, Toyo Eatery One of my most favourite things to eat is Filipino BBQ; there are so many great examples all over the country. With different cuts of pork, or chicken, all places have their…