Welcome to Foodie Finds! This is an article series by Tatler, chronicling where and what to order according to the food-obsessed.
I myself have never understood non-foodies. How can one not love flavours, spices, aromas and all the cultural nuances and memories that come with every bite? Dining is an experience meant to be savoured and is even more fun when shared with loved ones. Dining around a table means sharing, conversing, bonding and learning. A dish can tell you so much about a person, a culture, and a country. It speaks volumes of a nation’s history and is an art form on its own. Skilled hands are trained over years or are born out of pure passion and practice. Professional chefs and home cooks alike, from young stars to grandmothers, have been cooking up meals filled with emotion and have truly made us foodies, happy.
Read more: Where To Order The Best Pizzas In Metro Manila
Through Foodie Finds, we ask our epicurean friends to share their favourites. In this feature, we tackle takeout and delivery. Hear what Elbert Cuenca, the restaurateur behind brands like Elbert's Steak Room, Elbert's Pizzeria, Elbert's Upstairs Bar, Elbert's Diner and Metronome, has to say. He shares his go-to shops for takeout here:
"Before we get started, It’s important to note that as a restaurateur, I would much rather eat at a restaurant than order takeout. When customers ask why I don’t branch of one of my restaurants to a location near them, I often joke with the phrase ‘if the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.’ However, there are times we can’t help but eat at home and so we must order takeout or delivery. The challenge then is to find food that travels well so that it’s like it just came from the kitchen," shares Cuenca.
1. Mantra Indian Kitchen & Bar
@mantrabistroph
To begin with, this is my favourite Indian restaurant at the moment. Metronome’s neighbour restaurant hosts a range of northern Indian cuisine. While curries would seem to be the food that travels best, even their tandoori and biryanis arrive piping hot. It’s only their naan that I have to reheat in a toaster oven. The staff are very friendly, responsive and systemic in the way they handle my orders. My top dish here is the chicken makhani and shrimp curry.