The local dining scene is ever changing. The day a new restaurant opens, Filipino foodies are sure to make noise, flooding Instagram with #foodporn photographs of their favorite dishes. Manila’s 1%, however, opts for restaurants that can guarantee privacy but still serve delicious food fare. More so for the business elite, powerful men and women who dine out for a purpose. Whether celebrating a special event or meeting partners to close a deal, we’ve gathered five culinary staples that is top of mind for the discerning crowd…
Gallery by Chele
Restaurants by Chef Chele Gonzalez have always been popular amongst Manila society types. His previous establishment Gallery VASK was a big hit, even garnering a spot on the list of Asia’s Best Restaurants in 2017. His latest food destination is Gallery by Chele, a follow-up to the former, which he has partnered with Chef Carlos Villaflor for. The restaurant is so hot right now that the Chaine de Rotisseurs, the country’s oldest society for epicurean food and distinguished wine, recently held their latest dinner there. They dined on a very special, one-night only seafood degustation inspired by the Philippine’s 7,107 islands. Prepared in the open kitchen were hors d’œurves served on ceramic pottery, tuna tartare on black ink cracker, milk oyster ceviche, and a main course of clams and river prawn with moringa tapioca and seaweed.
Gallery by Chele is located at fifth floor, Clipp Center, 11th Ave corner 39th St, Fort Bonifacio, 11th Ave, Taguig
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The Lobby at the Peninsula Manila
More than 40 years since they’ve opened their doors, the Peninsula Manila remains to be one of the country’s very best hotels. It epitomizes luxury. Guests are still left breathless when first entering the hotel lobby and looking up at the iconic ceiling fixed with a large sun sculpture designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva. It is no surprise that the Ladies Who Lunch and many Manila-based entrepreneurs opt to dine at the Lobby when it’s time to discuss serious matters. The surroundings don’t only feel majestic and historical, but the food is also quite good. Chefs at the premium hotel offer a large selection of food on the menu, ranging from New England Clam Chowder (served with buttered croutons) to Croque-Monsieur Paninis (grilled ham and Gruyere cheese on ciabatta bread).
The Peninsula Manila is located at the corner of Makati Ave. and Ayala Ave., Makati City
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No. 8 China House
The Grand Hyatt Manila has recently opened in BGC, offering new and exciting food concepts for discriminating palates. Their Cantonese restaurant, No. 8 China House, has indeed become a popular food locale despite only operating for a couple of months. This is mainly because of their Peking Duck, which has been cooked over a mango wood-fired oven specially designed for the restaurant. The duck is carefully prepared by the chefs, who work with an authentic recipe passed on from generation to generation from Master Chef Carson Lou’s family. The duck is then served tableside. It is an experience like no other, making it an ideal restaurant to impress any new business partners. When not in the mood for duck, the restaurant also offers a large menu of other Cantonese favorites, prepared by a staff that consists of eight master chefs.
No. 8 China House is located at Grand Hyatt Manila, 35th Street, Taguig, Metro Manila
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Nobu
When Nobu Hotel first opened, it was a highly publicized event. The celebrity chef was accompanied by his business partner, Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro, to Manila for the occasion. Since then, the restaurant (located at the hotel in the City of Dreams Manila complex) has remained a hot spot. When Chef Nobu returned early this year to promote his new book, many of Manila’s “It-Crowd” flocked to the restaurant for a chance to try the master chef’s cooking. Today, Nobu remains to serve Japanese haute-cuisine that continues to impress. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa was recently featured in our latest coffee table book “Lifestyle Asia’s Millennials. Travel. Entertaining,” where he hosted a private dinner which included culinary favorites from his menu such as Salmon Tataki with Karashi Su Miso, Wagyu Flambe, and Nobu Halo Halo.
Nobu is located at City of Dreams Manila, Aseana Blvd. corner Macapagal Ave.
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