Cover A cocktail and bites from The Singleton Social Bar (Photo: Courtesy of Diageo)
A cocktail and bites from The Singleton Social Bar (Photo: Courtesy of Diageo)
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Your guide to everything new in Metro Manila to catch this month, including pop-ups and tasting menus from your favourites
Keep up with the latest food buzz and stay in the loop with our Dining Radar—our monthly round-up of the newest restaurants, bars, cafés, and more to tick off your list.
With the rainy season fast approaching, there’s no better time to head out and explore every nook and cranny of the Metro. While their home base is shut for renovations, acclaimed Filipino restaurant Toyo Eatery has taken the opportunity to launch a summer pop-up at Rockwell with reimagined classics perfect for your afternoon merienda. Just down the street, fan-favourite 12/10 has rolled out their new dessert-only omakase available until the end of July. In BGC, The Singleton has set up their pop-up, The Singleton Social Bar, now on its last week.
Try out these seasonal dining experiences before they’re gone for good—read more about them, as well as new restaurants and menu offerings around Metro Manila, below:
In case you missed it: April 2023 Dining Radar: Fat Cat Bar, Los Tacos, Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse, and more
1. Ginza Modern Japanese Restaurant (BGC)
Above Ginza’s stone pot garlic rice with beef and foie gras (Photo: Courtesy of Ginza Modern Japanese Restaurant)
Ginza’s stone pot garlic rice with beef and foie gras (Photo: Courtesy of Ginza Modern Japanese Restaurant)
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Location: Icon Plaza, BGC
Ginza Modern Japanese Restaurant opened its original outlet along Chino Roces early last year, and since then, it has become a popular favourite for fresh sushi, steaks, stone pot rice, and everything in between. Now, they’re primed to welcome guests old and new to their third latest branch at Icon Plaza BGC.
Read more: I tried an AI-generated recipe and here’s how it went
2. Orosa by Toyo Eatery
Above Kesong puti sandwich from Orosa by Toyo Eatery
Kesong puti sandwich from Orosa by Toyo Eatery
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Location: The Balmori Suites, Rockwell Center, Makati City
While Toyo Eatery remains closed for renovations, you can find the team at The Balmori Suites serving up casual dishes reminiscent of “diner days and clubhouse afternoons of Manila in a bygone era” for their summer pop-up, Orosa. Pop in Wednesdays to Sundays until May 14 to try their take on oysters, kesong puti sandwiches, napoleones, and more.
See also: Orosa by Toyo Eatery: A summer pop-up at The Balmori Suites, Rockwell Center
3. 12/10: Desserts omakase and espresso bar
Location: 8 Rockwell, Rockwell Center, Makati City
Contemporary Japanese izakaya 12/10 takes on a new frontier with their daytime omakase—a 5-course tasting menu comprised of only desserts. Expect unconventional bites like frozen yoghurt with beet, lime, pistachio, and wasabi, plus an all-new coffee menu for your afternoon pick-me-up, available Thursdays to Sundays, from 1pm to 5pm until the end of July.
4. Ricksha Streetside Tandoor (Greenhills)
Location: Greenhills, San Juan City
After four successful years, Cyril and Pierre Addison bid farewell to their cosy hole-in-the-wall Kapitolyo shop, embarking on a new chapter for Ricksha Streetside Tandoor. Now in Greenhills, the Indian restaurant dons a grander, stylish new look, and even offers new menu items to go with the home-cooked recipes their patrons know and love.
See also: What are the differences between Indian and Persian cuisine?
5. Fat Smoke BBQ
Location: BF Homes, Parañaque City
Once a delivery and catering-only brand, Fat Smoke BBQ has recently opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant at the bustling Aguirre Avenue. Try out the pulled pork slider, Wagyu beef ribs, and other comfort food picks from the barbecue expert.
Read more: Where to order classic Filipino BBQ in Metro Manila
6. Public Eatery
Location: Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City
The formidable group behind The Grid Food Market proudly presents Public Eatery: a vibrant new food hall at Robinsons Magnolia. Currently on its soft opening, the space is home to concepts like 10 by Tsukemen, Samyan, OK Bob, Thomson Road, Bad Bird, Merry Moo, and more.
See also: 8 Major restaurant groups in the Philippines you need to know
7. Nolita Joe’s
Location: Poblacion, Makati City
Open as late as 3am from Tuesdays to Sundays, Nolita Joe’s is Poblacion’s newest hangout—a collaborative concept from NY-style pizza specialist Nolita and homegrown craft beer brand Joe’s Brew. Dig into your favourite pie or graze across select flavours by the slice, which begs for little more than a glass of ice-cold beer.
8. Lore: À la carte menu
Location: One Bonifacio High Street Mall, BGC
Chef Tatung Sarthou’s modern Filipino restaurant, Lore now offers an extensive à la carte menu filled with popular Filipino favourites as well as lesser-known regional finds. Diners can also look forward to unconventional twists on the classics, such as the turon mille-feuille with banana mousse, langka-rum purée, and sesame seed gelato.
9. The Singleton Social Bar
Above The Singleton Social Bar (Photo: Courtesy of Diageo)
The Singleton Social Bar (Photo: Courtesy of Diageo)
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Location: One Bonifacio High Street, BGC
Following their successful run of food-meets-whisky events throughout the metro known as The Singleton Social, the Scotch whisky brand proudly launches The Singleton Social Bar—their first pop-up bar, found in the heart of BGC until the 14th of May. This Friday and Saturday, the pop-up commemorates its closing weekend with bites by Mijo Comfort Food, plus DJ sets and a bar takeover by Diageo World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2019 David Abalayan on the 13th.
In case you missed it: The Singleton Social Bar: 5 weeks of bespoke cocktails, exclusive menus & true epicurean fun at One Bonifacio High Street
10. Mōdan: Origami
Above Snacks from Mōdan new menu (Photo; Isabel Martel Francisco)
Snacks from Mōdan new menu (Photo; Isabel Martel Francisco)
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Location: Escalades East Tower, Cubao, Quezon City
Inspired by the Japanese crane, nose-to-tail cooking, and the ethos of sustenance, chef Jorge Mendez crafts a beautiful sophomore menu for Mōdan bursting with bold flavours and delicate restraint. From fish lip tempura to beef tongue yakitori, and a dose of a buttery miso XO sauce, his culinary prowess continues to shine brightly.
The new menu, Origami launches on May 10.
Related: The Tatler Dining Awards 2023: Best New Restaurant, Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year & more
11. Byrd Tubs (The Grid Food Market)
Location: Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City
Helmed by chef Jorge Mendez and acclaimed food writer Angelo Comsti, cloud concept Byrd Tubs caught the attention of foodies with its global selection of chicken dishes, from inasal to char siu, humba to biryani. Now, you can order your favourites in solo sizes at The Grid Food Market, including the dish that started it all: Hainanese chicken with tanglad chilli.
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Credits
Words: Additional Reporting by Isabel Martel Francisco
About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
