Photo: Balai Palma
Cover Photo: Balai Palma

From modern Filipino bitest that recontextualise familiar flavours to a 16-course Latin American degustation, here are 10 restaurants with exciting tasting menus in Metro Manila

The allure of a tasting menu is just too hard to resist, especially after the pandemic. Having been deprived of eating out for most of 2020 and 2021, people are looking beyond just good food as they now lavish every chance to make every experience—notably those outside the house—count.

And just how does a tasting menu fit into that equation? Well, it’s the closest you can get to being intimate with a chef. Apart from meeting the face behind the food and knowing the inspiration, story and process behind his dishes, one is treated to a gastronomic journey culled from his playful, oftentimes twisted, mind served in his very own sandbox. Unlike casual restaurant items that offer nothing more than a handshake, a tasting menu invites you to take a seat and have a chat.

A tasting menu is basically an ensemble of small dishes, served as a progressive single meal. In the local scene, more and more players are laying out their culinary calling cards and braving the arena, much to the benefit of the market. In fact, even hotel restaurants are joining the bandwagon. Here are ten that have been getting a lot of buzz as of late.

See also: Dining Around the City: Enjoy These 12 Exclusive Menus Until November 29 Only

1. Helm

Josh Boutwood’s culinary playground originally sits only 10 but now includes a couple more outside the restaurant, in the al fresco area, because of the demand. His thematic menus are the main draw here (his delicious food is already a given), which, so far, has ranged from historical (Magellan’s voyage) to personal (his life).

See also: Helm's New Menu: Here's What to Expect From Chef Josh Boutwood

2. Balai Palma

One of the newest players in the game, Aaron Isip’s townhouse-turned-private-dining-space tips its hat to seafood, churning original items such as lechon de lobster and king crab cold somen. Guests also get access to the other beautifully designed rooms in his place, including the bar and rooftop veranda.

See also: Balai Palma Artisan House & Kitchen: A Private Dining Experience by Aaron Isip

3. Hapag MNL

Thirdy Dolatre and Kevin Navoa have recently upped the game in their QC hideout. From an impressive drinks list served by a sommelier and Pinoy-inspired waitstaff uniforms to every chef stepping out of the kitchen to explain the dishes in detail, Hapag continues to impress.

See also: Why You Should (Finally) Go To Hapag

4. Toyo Eatery

A regular in many best restaurant lists, the Navarra’s six-year-old contemporary restaurant isn’t done in introducing guests—foreign and locals alike—to dishes, flavours, and ingredients that are proudly Filipino. Their beverages and plant-based menu are just as noteworthy as their tasting menu.

See also: Tatler Dining Special Awards 2022: Find Out Who Has Won These 8 Coveted Titles

5. Mecha Uma

The 10-course meal here is best enjoyed by the area surrounding the kitchen so you can not only witness Bruce Ricketts and his chefs in action but also talk to them as well. Their movement is like poetry, there’s so much elegance and value in the little acts they do. And once you begin to chew on their work, you’ll discover the layers of complexity.

See also: The 23 Best Japanese Restaurants in the Tatler Dining Guide 2022

6. Metiz

Stephan Duhesme’s domain champions locally sourced ingredients, fermentation, and flavour combinations that might sound dubious in print but never cease to amaze in taste. It’s easy to feel relaxed and at home in this restaurant, especially since the chef often takes the plates himself to your table and even bids you goodbye.

See also: A Love That Lasts: F&B Tastemakers Share Why They Love The Philippines

7. Linamnam

Don’t be fooled by his age. 24-year-old Don Baldosano, who serves his tasting menu behind his family’s house, is as skilled as the most veteran chefs in this batch. He is so attuned to his craft that he deals directly with farmers and even tends to his own ducks, chickens and pig.

See also: Meet Don Baldosano, the 23-Year-Old Chef Behind Modern Filipino Restaurant 'Linamnam'

8. Gallery by Chele

The second coming of Gallery Vask is even stronger with Carlo Villaflor taking the reins alongside Chele Gonzales. Together, they bring guests on a journey of exploration, not just in the Philippines but also miles across the world. Their restaurant has received multiple acclaims, including Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

See also: Meet the Pastry Chefs From Top Restaurants in the Philippines: Metronome, Gallery by Chele, and More

9. Modan

Fresh on the scene and already this progressive Japanese private dining in QC helmed by Jorge Mendez has been the talk of the town. His maiden menu involves a dozen dishes that give an ode to the people who have been instrumental in his career and life. It’s a proper introduction to a chef who has long been under the radar.

See also: Mōdan MNL: Inside Chef Jorge Mendez’s New Japanese Private Dining Concept

10. Alegria Manila

One of the newest players in this field is Charles Montañez’s Algeria Manila, where he seamlessly marries Filipino and Latin American flavours in the guise of dishes such as elote where the corn is glazed with Baguio strawberry jam. His plates make a statement, much like the design of his beautiful space.

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