Cover Cork Elite's tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
Cork Elite's tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
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Try these chef-led tasting menus at private high-end wine club Cork Elite
When we experience something notable, it’s only natural to want to share it and spread the word. After many years of operating solely as a members-only establishment, Cork Wine’s private club, Cork Elite, is now opening its doors to the public.
“We have always had talented chefs in our kitchen preparing tasting menus for our members to pair with their wines,” explains Carlo Masin, Cork Group’s head of operations. “We felt that it was almost a shame not to share all these incredible experiences with more people, so with the blessing of the partners and members, we decided to open a portion of our dining area at Cork Elite to the public.”
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Above Cork Elite’s tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
Cork Elite’s tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
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Now, non-members can make a reservation and enjoy an impressive range of offerings: a tasting menu by chef Gino Catalon, a brand-new à la carte menu, signature cocktails and bar selections and bottles from their prestigious cellar available at retail prices. While the main dining room is now open to the public, the private dining rooms and VIP spaces remain exclusive to members.
The best part of these developments is that guests no longer need to be accompanied by a member to experience Cork Elite. Non-members can now book an evening, enjoy a drink at the bar and stay for dinner with a carefully chosen bottle of wine. The rest of Cork Elite, private rooms, exclusive wine experiences around the globe, discounts on wines and access to rare wines, plus wine lockers are reserved for members only.
Above Cork Elite's tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
Cork Elite's tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
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At the helm of the kitchen is chef Gino Catalon, formerly of The Vault and Gallery by Chele. He leads the culinary team in conceptualising tasting menus tailored to the wines members wish to enjoy on site. For the main dining room, Catalon and his team have crafted inventive takes on familiar Filipino dishes, designed to pair harmoniously with either wine or cocktails. Celebrating both Filipino culinary heritage and seasonal creativity, the tasting menu will change every few months.
With their latest tasting menu, Catalon begins with something comforting yet elegant—a fragrant pandan sourdough served with Davao honey and kesong puti. A delicate puff filled with annatto and tinapa mousse, topped with caviar, pays homage to the much-loved pancit palabok. The popular kinilaw is given a refined twist, featuring fresh local fish marinated in native citrus, lato and pickled radish, highlighting the bounty of Philippine waters.
See also: October 2025 Dining Radar: New restaurants, cafés and bars to try this month
Above Cork Elite’s tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
Cork Elite’s tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
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A fillet of apahap follows, served with a coconut emulsion, native garlic and crisp cracker, while prawn in seafood emulsion arrives vibrant with layered aromatics. After a refreshing palate cleanser of sweet Philippine mangoes, diners are presented with skewers of assorted chicken parts, grilled and served with a sinigang-style broth soured with batuan.
The beef course brings together two Filipino favourites—kare-kare and adobo—with perfectly marbled wagyu short ribs, tinawon rice and a rich soy and tomato sauce. Dessert offers a nostalgic finish: pandan ice cream inspired by sorbetes, served over coconut panna cotta with miso caramel and pili nuts.
Above Cork Elite’s tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
Cork Elite’s tasting menus and wine experience are now open to the public
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While Cork Elite’s dining room is now open to the public, seating remains limited each evening to maintain the intimate ambience that has long defined the space. Whether one comes for a drink at the bar or to experience Catalon’s tasting menu, Cork Elite continues to embody the sophistication and warmth that make it one of the city’s most refined culinary experiences.
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Jaclyn Clemente Koppe is a food and lifestyle writer, as well as a consultant to some of the country’s beloved food and beverage brands. Her passion for food and drink is only surpassed by her devotion to her family, most especially to her soulmate, Pepa the poodle.
