April 2024 Dining Radar - Kasà Palma
Cover Read up on all the new restaurants, cafés, and menus to try this April (Photo: Instagram / @kasapalma)

Get the lowdown on the new restaurants, cafés, and menus to try this April, including Hapag’s new space at The Balmori Suites (with cocktail lounge Ayà on the mezzanine), chef Aaron Isip’s re-incarnation of Balai Palma, and more exciting developments in F&B

Keep up with the latest food buzz and stay in the loop with our Dining Radar—our monthly round-up of the newest restaurants, cafés, bars, and more to tick off your list.

While M Dining + Bar at Chino Roces gets a makeover, chef Tom Bascon and team bring their refined cuisine and famed hospitality to an established pop-up series. Meanwhile, team Hapag welcomes guests to their new two-storey space, and chef Aaron Isip unveils the highly-anticipated successor to Balai Palma.

All this and more, below:

In case you missed it: March 2024 Dining Radar: Cantabria by Chele González, Alvin Cailan at Izakaya Geronimo, and more

1. Flavours of Martell

Tatler Asia
April 2024 Dining Radar - Flavours of Martell copy
Above Discover the Flavours of Martell at eight top restaurants from April 4 to May 1

Location: Makati City and BGC, Taguig City

Tatler Dining and Martell VSOP Cognac are proud to present Flavours of Martell: a month-long dining campaign featuring eight top restaurants in the metro. To celebrate the versatility of the prized spirit, we’ve challenged each restaurant to curate bespoke menus infused with Martell VSOP Cognac. Discover the vast potential of cognac through every bite at Gallery by Chele, No. 8 China House, Your Local, and Wildflour Italian from April 4-17, and Benjarong, Ember by Josh Boutwood, Sala Bistro, and Txoko Asador from April 18-May 1.

Read more: Flavours of Martell: 8 restaurants collaborate with Tatler Dining April 4-May 1

2. La Guada Mas

Location: Joya Towers, Rockwell Center, Makati City

Tuck into your Mexican favourites at La Guada Mas. Beyond their selection of birria, tacos, and burritos, the new taqueria also offers burgers, smoked meats, elote, and nachos. In addition, La Guada Mas has recently announced that it will soon be rolling out its breakfast menu, teasing items like Mexican-inspired avocado toasts.

More from Tatler: 7 Restaurants with the best bathrooms in Metro Manila

3. M Dining + Bar pop-up at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table

Location: The Balmori Suites, Rockwell Center, Makati City

When M Dining + Bar announced it would be closing up shop for an intensive renovation, patrons rushed to secure reservations at the fine dining haunt, hoping to savour their chorizo puffs, spaghetti uni, perfectly stiff martinis, and other delicious staples before they took a breather. Thankfully, it won’t be long until we can have a taste of chef Tom Bascon’s sophisticated cuisine once more, as the restaurant takes over The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table pop-up series from April 13 to May 12, and will accept reservations starting on April 11. Book your seats to indulge in your M Dining + Bar staples, and expect some all-new dishes that may just become your next favourite.

See also: Settling the score: What makes a best restaurant?

4. Jabroni's NYC Pizza (Rockwell)

Location: Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City

Specialising in New York-style pizzas, Jabroni’s has become one of the fastest-growing food brands on the market: the pizzeria launched in August 2023 as a delivery-only concept and was quickly spotted around town at countless pop-ups, fairs, events, and even music festivals. Now, Jabroni’s has opened the doors to its very first brick-and-mortar shop at Power Plant Mall, offering whole pies, squares, and slices of their classic and special pizzas.

Related: Best Pizzas in the Philippines 2024: 2nd best pizzeria in APAC and this year’s Best Pizza Maker award go to the Philippines

5. Siesta Horchata Café

Location: Diliman, Quezon City

Siesta started as a bottled horchata concept back in January 2022, selling the delicious milky drink online and at select pop-ups. Now, the horchata specialist takes a big leap forward, opening the doors to the Siesta Horchata Café. Try their signature cinnamon rice milk Siesta horchata, have it dirty with a shot of espresso, or even try it with matcha, chai, and Baileys. Not big on horchata? They also offer a range of standard coffee beverages, plus unique drinks like sikhye, a Korean rice punch.

Read more: Now streaming: 10 food and cooking shows you need to watch in 2024

6. Lágrima (Salcedo Village0)

Location: Paseo Parkview San Agustin, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Lágrima makes its much-awaited return to Salcedo Village, slinging LA-style tacos and other funky Mexican staples. Although still on its soft opening, those itching for Lágrima’s tacos, tostadas, nachos, quesadillas, and burritos can head to their new Paseo Parkview branch to quench their cravings—the crunchy shrimp taco, street surtido taco, and street fish tacos are a great place to start.

See also: Where to order the best tacos in Metro Manila

7. Hapag and Ayà

Location: The Balmori Suites, Rockwell Center

Modern Filipino restaurant Hapag bid farewell to its original Katipunan restaurant earlier this year and quickly got to work on their new home at The Balmori Suites. Designed by Isabel Lozano of Decorum by MIL and Liza Crespo of Ecotecture Design, the two-storey space will house two concepts. On the first level, you’ll find Hapag’s main dining space, which opens to the public on the 15th of April with an all-new degustation.

Eager for a taste of their innovative Filipino cuisine? Head to Ayà, located on the mezzanine level of the restaurant. Open since the 1st of April, the stunning cocktail lounge offers a playful drinks list and an à la carte menu peppered with familiar favourites—including that delicious pancit negra.

In case you missed it: Margarita Forés announces the launch of her signature fine dining restaurant and company rebrand

8. Nada Concepts

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Introducing Nāda Concepts, a brand-new multipurpose space bringing you calmness and clarity in the heart of Poblacion. While Nāda is set to roll out yoga, sound baths, meditations, and other mindful exercises soon, their café has recently opened its doors and is ready to accept reservations. With its thoughtful, pared-back design, the café invites wanderers to unwind and de-stress over speciality tea, coffee, and pastries.

See also: The surprising costs of workaholism according to a psychotherapist

9. Good Neighbor

Location: Verve Tower 1, BGC, Taguig City

Drop by Good Neighbor for a quick coffee, a hearty meal, or even a cheeky nightcap as this new café offers lots to try. Take comfort in a bowl of silky smooth pumpkin coconut and curry soup, or tuck into beef pepper tapa, avocado and prosciutto toast, or other all-day breakfast staples. 

Read more: How did Milka Romero build the Miro Group and its F&B concepts?

10. Kása Palma

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

At long last, chef Aaron Isip has opened the doors to his new restaurant, Kása Palma. An evolution from his private dining space Balai Palma, Kása Palma is located just a few metres down the road from the original but boasts a much larger space. With Isip still at the helm, guests can look forward to a masterful execution of Filipino and French flavours, and opt between an immersive tasting menu or a more causal à la carte experience. Do take time to explore the new space designed by Isip himself, as each enclave radiates with warmth and personality.

11. Brasserie on 3: Thai-inspired buffet by chef Akkawin “Pun” Pitrachart

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Photo 1 of 5 Chef Pun and chef Dey from Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
Photo 2 of 5 Tom yum goong
Photo 3 of 5 Pla tod rad sauce sam-rod (deep fried seabass, sweet chilli sauce)
Photo 4 of 5 Larb salmon
Photo 5 of 5 Nuea yang jim jaew (Thai style roasted beef)

Location: Conrad Manila, Pasay City

From April 12 to 30, chef Akkawin “Pun” Pitrachart of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok takes over Brasserie on 3, bringing guests new and exciting dishes inspired by the robust flavours of Thailand and the Philippines. This limited-run experience is the latest installation of Conrad Manila’s Legendary Chefs series, bringing top culinary forces from around the globe to their kitchens.

Related: Beyond pad thai: 8 Thai noodle dishes you should know

12. The Lobby: Hello Kitty afternoon tea set

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Photo 1 of 2 Hello Kitty afternoon tea set at The Lobby, The Peninsula Manila
Photo 2 of 2 Hello Kitty afternoon tea set at The Lobby, The Peninsula Manila

Location: The Peninsula Manila, Makati City

In celebration of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, The Lobby at The Peninsula Manila brings the beloved cuddly character to life with an afternoon tea set inspired by Hello Kitty herself. Delight in strawberry financiers, strawberry rose tea sandwich cookies, and other high tea staples like scones, made with fresh seasonal fruits and other quality ingredients. Available from April 15 to May 15, the Hello Kitty afternoon tea comes with a Hello Kitty and The Peninsula Bear limited-edition plush toy set, and your choice of tea or two flutes of champagne.

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