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