March 2024 Dining Radar: Cantabria by Chele González, Alvin Cailan at Izakaya Geronimo, and more

Location: Caloocan City

With calming, minimalist interiors, Shizu Matcha Bar promises a tranquil escape from the busy city. Nestled right off the main road, the contemporary teahouse specialises in matcha, offering a selection of both classic and unconventional drinks, plus matcha desserts to boot.

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Location: Glorietta 3, Makati City

Booya Bagels will soon bid farewell to their old outpost at LPL Tower, Legazpi Street—but fret not, for they have recently opened an brand new store just a few minutes away. Visit their latest kiosk at Glorietta 3 to grab your choice of bagel and schmear, build your own sandwich, or choose from one of their signatures (the lox is a fan-favourite and with good reason).

Related: What is a dagel? The snack innovation from Dot Coffee

Location: Legazpi Village, Makati City

Helmed by up-and-coming chefs Mikee Lopez and Alex Tan, Tandem has quickly become one of the most exciting new restaurants in town, with their first tasting menu (an ode to Filipino produce) garnering positive acclaim. Now, seven months since it first opened its doors, the restaurant has rolled out its sophomore tasting menu.

“This is something quite personal to us—a theme that has been on our mind for a really long time, and we’ve been working on it for quite a while,” Lopez divulges. “This menu is something we feel people can relate to, and [something that might] bring about different kinds of emotions while going through the tasting course.”

Read more: These are the best restaurant openings of 2023

Location: The Westin Manila Hotel, Mandaluyong City

Chef Chele González proudly unveils his newest restaurant. Located on the roof level of The Westin Manila Hotel, this seafood-focused restaurant pays homage to Cantabria, the eponymous region on the northern coast of Spain where chef González is from. Here, the talented chef lets the food speak for itself, putting luxurious Cantabrian produce at the forefront. While the tapas veer towards his playful natures, the mains evoke a sense of nostalgia, highlighting classical Cantabrian cuisine.

See also: The best Spanish restaurants in the Tatler Dining Guide 2023

Location: F'7 Rallos, Diliman, Quezon City

Known for its expertly crafted beverages, Recraft shut the doors to its space in New Manila earlier this January. Now, the beloved watering hole has returned for an exciting pop-up at F'7 Rallos, aptly named Unfinished Business. Expect exciting drinks as the bartenders keep guests on their toes with a new set of cocktails every week—and for the month of March, Recraft focuses on a theme close to home: Filipino drinks. 

See also: Proudly Promdi puts forgotten Filipino beverages on centre stage

Location: Solaire Resort, Parañaque City

From March 13-16, Solaire Resort will host three talented chefs across a series of exciting dinners, and sumptuous brunch buffets on the 17th. At Finestra Italian Steakhouse, discover chef Cristina Bowerman’s renegade Italian cuisine—one that led her restaurant, Glass Hostaria, to become a celebrated fixture in Rome. Meanwhile, chef Takeshi ‘Goh’ Fukuyama, the man behind Goh, GohGan, and the now-defunct La Maison de la Nature Goh in Fukuoka, will bring his sophisticated French-Japanese flair to Yakumi. Finally, Red Lantern will embrace the vibrant flavours of Sichuan cuisine, as chef Xu Fan, the visionary behind Xu’s Cuisine (Chengdu) helms the kitchen.

Read more: Savour the stars: 3 Michelin takeovers happening at Solaire Resort this March 13-17

Location: Legazpi Village, Makati City

Modern French meets Modern Japanese as two F&B heavyweights, chefs Miko Calo and Jorge Mendez come together to present a two-night-only collaboration. Marrying the distinct culinary flair of Metronome and Mōdan, Moderne is set to be a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience.

Moderne will take place on March 12 at Metronome, with a subsequent dinner on April 9 at Mōdan. Missed out on the first night of the collaboration dinner? Mōdan will open reservations for the second night on the 2nd of April.

Related: Moderne: A two-night-only collab by Modan and Metronome

Location: Asian Century Center, BGC, Taguig City

The man behind Eggslut and The Burger Show is back in Manila! This March 15, chef Alvin Cailan heads to Izakaya Geronimo for a one-night-only burger pop-up you won’t want to miss.

The popular BGC haunt has also announced its new operational hours, now open from 11:30am to 2:30pm for lunch. Discover all-new donburi and delicious lunch sets featuring Geronimo favourites, perfect for a quick yet satisfying feed.

See also: Omotenashi by Kazunori brings fine dining catering to your home

Location: W Global Center, BGC, Taguig City

Inspired by Castor and Pollux, perhaps better known as the Gemini twins, Kas & Poly offers “stellar food” and “cosmic drinks” in the heart of BGC. Savour their all-day breakfast staples like the Libra sets (“balanced plates”), or opt for something heartier like the Taurus oxtail stew. Thirsty? Kas & Poly’s extensive beverage menu is filled with classic coffees and cocktails, as well as whimsical concoctions inspired by celestial bodies.

See also: A ‘Star Wars’-inspired menu at Helm by Josh Boutwood

Location: Windsor Tower, Legazpi Village

Have you heard? The Blind Pig is back with an all-new location at Windsor Tower, 163 Legazpi Street. Often regarded as the metro’s first true speakeasy, the bar continues to be a cult favourite for serious cocktails. Drop by to see what all the fuss is about—that is, if you can find it.

Read more: Introducing Bb Sunshine, a natural wine by Bombvinos

Location: Tomas Morato, Quezon City

With a seasoned experience as an R&D chef, Jorge Mendez is not one to be put in a box—Mōdan’s new menu, Global: Asian Leg, made that much clear. Now, Mendez cements his affinity for robust Thai cuisine with his newest restaurant, Some Thai. Expect classic dishes like a vibrant papaya salad, flavourful crab omelette, and toothsome mango sticky rice, plus brilliant twists that Mendez is known for.

In case you missed it: Mōdan MNL ventures beyond Japan with its third menu, Global: Asian Leg

Location: Anya Resort Tagaytay, Cavite

Fancy a quick trip out of town? Chef Miko Calo of French favourite Metronome heads to Samira by Chele González, Anya Resort Tagaytay to present a one-night-only collaboration with González himself. Make the leisurely drive down and indulge in this exciting feast (with an option to upgrade the experience with a wine pairing), and complete the romantic getaway with a stay at the luxury resort while you’re at it.

Read more: The timelessness of Tsumura: Find out why this Japanese restaurant has become a new hotspot in Ayala Triangle

Location: SM Aura Premier, BGC, Taguig City

Legazpi Village favourite Yardstick opens up a brand new shop at SM Aura Premier. Located right by the entrance of the Director’s Club theatres, the cinema-inspired café provides an immersive coffee experience. The best part? The café is open till 10pm daily so you can grab a pick-me-up before your late-night showing.

Tatler Tip: Yardstick has also launched an exciting pop-up with Baguio’s Rebel Bakehouse at Greenbelt 3 cinemas, open until June 1.

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Location: The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table, Rockwell Center, Makati City

Introducing the newest concept taking over The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table, Panapos by Chef Miko. While best known for his talents in pastry (and lately, gelato), chef Miko Aspiras demonstrates his culinary versatility with a promising range of savoury items, from sous vide rib-eye grilled over bark and charcoal to roasted duck breast on a buckwheat galette with orange sauce. Naturally, Aspiras also brings his delightful desserts or “panapos” to the popular pop-up series, including a house tiramisu, mais con helado, and the bayanihan dessert boodle.

Elsewhere in Asia: Nasi lemak nominated for Unesco World Heritage status

Location: SM Aura Premier, BGC, Taguig City

Macarons, cakes, choux pastry, bonbons, and more—indulge in these pristine desserts and pastries from Kevin Ong Pâtisserie, now available at Food on Four, SM Aura Premier.

Read more: Get to know pastry chef Melissa Lim of Melc Patisserie

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

With the Los Tacos pop-up at M Bistro now shut, chef Keith Curitana heads to Bibio wine bar in Poblaction for a two-day collaboration with chef Mianne Manguiat this March 23 and 24, 4pm to 7pm and 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Expect a refined à la carte menu infused with the complex Mexican flavours chef Curitana is known for, plus plenty of diverse natural wines to elevate the experience. 

See also: What makes you a chef?

Location: Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

For the next installation of its chef takeover series, Will Host, Toka Wine is set to welcome chef Luis Locsin from March 19 to 24, 5pm to 9:30pm. Locsin puts local ingredients at the forefront of his cuisine, with sustainability and zero-waste efforts top of mind. Since graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, he has worked at celebrated restaurants such as Metiz and Locavore (Bali), and more recently, presented an impressive tasting menu pop-up with Super Natural Wine and La Vie En Rose. Expect unique dishes showcasing Filipino flavours and ingredients through the eyes of chef Locsin, with thoughtfully curated libations from Toka Wine.

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