August 2024 Dining Radar: Oak & Smoke, Little Bao takeover, and more

Location: Loresville Drive, San Roque, Antipolo City

With its cosy atmosphere and scenic views of Antipolo, Tahanan Bistro is a popular dining destination for special occasions (proposals included), offering an approachable six-course tasting menu rooted in nostalgic Filipino flavours. In addition, Tahanan recently launched their new Salu-Salo experience: a family-style lunch available on Saturdays and Sundays, 11am and 1.30pm for a minimum of two guests.

Tatler Tip: Do check out their wine list, curated by Butz Tenchavez of Toka Wine bar and Gran Hacienda Wines.

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Location: Esteban Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City

Chef May Chow (Asia’s Best Female Chef 2017) takes her cult-favourite diner, Little Bao from Hong Kong to Manila! Catch the team as they take over Your Local on August 22-23, with the menu available until August 25. Secure your reservations as soon as possible to enjoy their famed bao burgers, fried chicken, and other tasty bites.

Location: HV Dela Costa Street, Makati City

Oak & Smoke puts an Asian spin on the classic bistro and grill experience, offering dishes like white snapper crudo dressed in a coconut-cilantro sauce, blue marlin belly miso-yaki grilled over binchotan, pork chops off the grill with lychee hoisin, and more. While the restaurant closes at 10pm, the bar remains open until 1am so you can stay on for drinks after a hearty meal.

See also: The must-try secret menu items from the Tatler Dining Guide 2024

Location: Pablo Ocampo Sr. Extension, Makati City

Mixed-use community space Comuna is shaping up to be an exciting hub of arts, food and beverage, and other creative pursuits, with tenants such as Lowbrow, JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio, and the soon-to-open Celera. Among the latest concepts to open its doors is Palm Tree Abbey, a homegrown microbrewery. Drop by the taproom from 4pm to 11pm, Tuesdays to Sundays to sample their fun selection of beers, with bar chow to match.

Location: Chino Roces Ave Extension, Makati City

Pull up a seat at The Counter and delight in an indulgent omakase by yakitori master chef Masahiko Kodama. The new concept was brought to life by Ginza Japanese restaurant in collaboration with chef Kodama, whose former restaurant Yakitori Masayoshi (Tokyo) has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand five times. His new restaurant, Yakitori Kodama has been featured on David Chang’s Netflix series Ugly Delicious. Drop by The Counter for lunch and graze across their à la carte menu, or ring up the restaurant to book the omakase for dinner.

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Location: Tulip Drive, Talomo, Davao City

Open from 3pm to 1am daily, Lamano offers a variety of dishes from pasta to calamari, spicy sisig flatbread, and more, plus cocktails designed by Kalel Demetrio. Planning a night out on the town? Drop by on Saturdays, 9pm onwards, for Lamano’s regular DJ nights.

Location: San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Taquería Franco kicks off its collaboration series, Friends of Franco and Friends with none other than chefs Nicco Santos and Quenee Vilar! The formidable tandem has created an exclusive dish that will be available until the end of August—the chicken krapow taco: stir-fried chicken, nuoc cham, basil, Thai-style fried egg, nuoc cham salsa, Japanese cucumber, and buckwheat tortilla. Stay tuned for more updates from Taquería Franco’s Friends of Franco and Friends series.

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Location: Scout Tuason Street, Diliman, Quezon City

Tucked within the original Max’s Restaurant (established in 1945) is an intimate, inviting 12-seater lounge offering quality cocktails. The brainchild of Paolo Salud and Jim Fuentebella, Ruby’s honours Ruby Trota, the woman responsible for the iconic Max’s fried chicken. Learn about the brand’s storied past with artefacts displayed throughout the space, and even signature cocktails (created by drinks consultant Mandrake Ferrer) inspired by the history of Max’s. Stay tuned for more updates from Ruby’s, including its new bar chow menu.

Tatler Tip: After making your way through the four signature cocktails at Ruby’s, ask about their off-menu tipple: a milk-washed cocktail with Yardstick coffee-infused Aperol, vanilla, rum, and torched cinnamon.

Location: Greenhills Mall, San Juan City

The Pizzulu group broadens their portfolio with their newest concept, Cafe Kulture at Greenhills Mall. Primed for all-day dining, the restaurant spans small bites, breakfast staples, sandwiches, pasta, rice bowls, and more—including a special list of Filipino favourites. On the beverage front, have your pick between their coffee or cocktails to pair with your meal.

See also: Meet the founders of Rebel Bakehouse: The Baguio bakery that has taken over Manila

Location: Gabaldon Street, Poblacion, Makati City

Private catering and pop-up concept Sunday Street Co. heads to La Vie En Rose for a one-night-only kitchen takeover on August 15, 8.30pm onwards. The menu boasts an array of bites, savoury and sweet from pesto deviled eggs to mushroom croquettes and meringue bites, plus a signature yuzu margarita just for the event. Come early and stay late to make the most of the delicious spread, drinks by La Vie En Rose, and music courtesy of NoClip.

Location: Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City

Inatô holds its very first collaboration this August 19 and 20 with none other than chef Prin Polsuk of Michelin-starred restaurant Samrub Samrub Thai. Founded in 2017 with Polsuk’s wife, Mint Jarukittikun, the Bangkok-based restaurant highlights traditional and regional Thai cuisine with its ever-changing tasting menu. Here, guests are not only treated to a delicious and educational meal but also immersed in the colourful world of native Thai ingredients and food cultures.

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Location: Castro Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City

Cafe Dalisay is the newest addition to Legazpi Village’s thriving café scene, marrying thoughtful visual and sonic design, quality coffees, and crave-worthy snacks. Though still on its soft opening, the café makes a promising first impression with beans from Good Cup Coffee Co, baked goods from Scratch bakery, and cookies by Lily & Flor.

Tatler Tip: try out the Scratch sourdough, served complete with your choice of butter and jam—the garlic and Calabrian chilli butter with orange jam makes a heavenly pairing.

Location: Oboza Compond, Rizal Street corner Bangoy Street, Davao City

Chef Gelo Barreto brings the flavours of Thailand to Davao through Chiang Mai Superstar, a brand-new restaurant brought to you by the group behind Tola and Huckleberry Southern Kitchen. From homemade Isaan sausages to grilled pork cheeks, tom yum to pad krapow, you can expect robust dishes that don’t hold back on flavour.

Read more: Inside Yamazato: The impressive new sushi counter at Hotel Okura Manila

Location: One Bonifacio High Street Mall, BGC, Taguig City

Hailing from Tokyo, Atmos is a streetwear and sneaker boutique known for its extensive yet curated selection, boasting new and hard-to-find releases. With their first store in Manila, the brand continues its streak of innovation with the Otaku Room: a café and bar space tucked within the shop, in collaboration with Yardstick Coffee. Swing by from Sundays to Thursdays, 9am to 10pm, or Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 11pm to savour well-made drinks after some retail therapy.

Location: Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City

Automat kicks off their new collaboration series, (atbp.) with none other than chef Patrick Curitana of Los Tacos. On August 18 from 3pm onwards, indulge in unique tacos by chefs Curitana, Stephan Duhesme, and Arlo Gregorio, each inspired by their own backgrounds. Reserve your seats through Automat to ensure you don’t miss out on these exclusive tacos, which are available for one night only.

Reaed more: Inside the Toyo Eatery x Baan Tepa collaboration dinner: A marriage of Filipino and Thai flavours

Location: Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City

Head to China Blue by Jereme Leung to catch their new à la carte menu, Treasures of Hong Kong, available until August 18 only. Inspired by his recent travels to Hong Kong with chef Jereme Leung himself, the restaurant’s executive chef of Chinese cuisine, Eng Yew Khor has curated an impressive collection of all-new dishes like dim sum, soups, hearty mains, and dessert. Highlights include the beetroot bamboo and vegetable dumpling, pan fried Wagyu beef pastry, sun-dried razor clam winter melon milky soup, and orzo rice with Chinese liver sausage and salted egg.

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