November 2023 Dining Radar: Izakaya Geronimo, Tandem, Roots, and more

Contemporary French dining by chef Rob Pengson with various menus to choose from

Chef Rob Pengson and his culinary team serve their take on contemporary French cuisine. For a quick yet refined meal, opt for the bistro menu with amuse bouche, soup or salad, and your choice of mains and dessert, and be sure to check out their specials while you’re at it. Have some time to spare? The lengthy Antebellum tasting menu will give you an excellent picture of what the chef’s team can do.

See also: Get to know pastry chef Melissa Lim of Melc Patisserie

Luxurious temaki, hearty ramen, funky Japanese tapas, and cocktails on tap

From the minds of Wagyu Studio comes a brand new establishment that marries bar and restaurant in one sleek space. The extensive menu spans a range of Japanese favourites: a luxurious temaki, hearty bowls of ramen, timeless yakitori, and katsudon. True to the “leap of faith” mentality that inspired its name, they also venture beyond the traditional with more contemporary dishes like a filet-o-fish sando, yōshoku potato salad, and popcorn shrimp with spicy yuzu mayo. With sake, cocktails on tap, and regular DJ nights, Izakaya Geronimo is primed to be your next go-to hangout for post-work drinks, a sumptuous dinner, or late-night festivities.

Read more: Passing the torch: Chef Tony Boy Escalante lets a new generation take the reigns

An ingredients-focused tasting menu concept by chefs Mikee Lopez and Alex Tan

A tasting menu concept by chefs Mikee Lopez and Alex Tan. The 20-seater restaurant in Legazpi Village offers seasonal plant-forward menus with a zero-waste philosophy. Their first menu acts as their delicious love letter to Filipino farmers, championing various local produce. With minimalist interiors, the space aptly parallels the philosophy of their cuisine: one that underpins the elegance of simplicity done right.

In case you missed it: Must-try secret menu items from the Tatler Dining Guide 2023

A lively Latin American restaurant offering nachos, ceviche, tacos, hearty mains, and more

Formerly just a casual food truck at BGC Uptown Parade, La Latina has recently evolved into a fully-fledged restaurant at Greenbelt 5, evolving beyond its quesabirrias and nachos to include heartier, elevated fare. Dig into Latin American favourites like tiraditos and lomo saltado while indulging in cheeky tipples—they’re open until late hours!

See also: Forgotten fruit: paying homage to the delicious Philippine fruits ripe with nostalgia

An innovative dining experience in a surfer’s paradise by a passionate, multicultural team

Drawing from their “roots” in Spain, Mexico, Italy, Portugal, and Peru, where the founders met working at Central, chefs Filippo Turrini and Inés Castañeda present elevated dishes that utilise a wealth of culinary techniques while putting local produce centre-stage. Adaptability is the game’s name here, with a daily menu based on whatever the team procures for the day. The ceviche and tacos have become fan-favourites, while their fascination for local ingredients also heavily seasons their cuisine, resulting in dishes like ube gnocchi with borracho cheese from Malagos and roasted watermelon with chèvre cheese, pili nuts, and pepinitos.

Their approach is not just multicultural but uniquely interdisciplinary, fortified by the voices of art director Marina Castañeda, Dutch anthropologist Daan Overgaag and business strategists Diogo Vaz de Miranda and Ricardo Miranda de Sousa. Outside of Roots, the founders also helm a creative hub known as Casa Kaos.

Read more: 5 Mobile cocktail bars to hire for your next event

A reliable hangout for coffee, brunch fare, natural wines, and cocktails in Siargao

Enriching Siargao’s dining scene, Brunch Spot (also known as BS Siargao) offers uncomplicated, timeless brunch fare to appease any palate, from corned beef breakfast burritos to eggs Benny, their Korean fried chicken burger and fluffy pancakes with caramel and bananas. Complete your meal with their range of coffees, smoothies, and cocktails, plus natural wines from Bombvinos.

See also: Plant-based food by a non-vegetarian chef: how Mimi Vergara-Tupas is supercharging Davao’s vegan scene

The crowd-favourite burger joint for Siargao makes its way to Manila

Burgers are an extremely personal preference, but Big Belly Burgers seems to be the crowd-favourite in Siargao. Their burgers are delightfully messy and loaded with flavour, the fare you’re looking for when needing a good feed. With thick and juicy patties, crispy-edged smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and tasty sides, Big Belly Manila stays true to the indulgent flavours of the Siargao original, excited with cocktails and a cosy beach aesthetic.

See also: Actress and singer Nadine Lustre embarks on new wine venture with Christophe Bariou

Your one-stop shop for classic sandwiches amped up with quality deli meats, cheeses, and housemade sauces

Armed with classic deli meats you know and love, The Original Submarine Center serves to elevate, not complicate, your favourite sandwiches. On the menu, you’ll spot items like Spanish mortadella with delicious olives, pastrami brisket from New York, and tangy black pepper turkey slices beefed up with top-quality cheeses and unique housemade sauces.

Read more: Where to order fresh pasta: squid ink tagliatelle, truffle ricotta ravioli, and more

An Indian restaurant by restaurateur Marvin Agustin and two of London’s best Indian chefs

Classic Indian dishes, peppered with some modern inspirations and innovations here and there. A collaboration by restaurateur Marvin Agustin and London-based chefs Kundan “Kun” Singh Rawat and Kapil Dividas Jogdand (Tandoor Chophouse), Tango Tandoor offers familiar items like butter chicken and lamb rogan josh, as well as contemporary creations like the shrimp taco.

Related: New Indian restaurant Tango Tandoor opens in BGC

A fresh concept by the Wildflour Group specialising in irresistible pizzas

The Wildflour Group co-founders Ana Lorenzana De Ocampo and chef Margie Lorenzana-Manzke, formalise their love for pizza with their new concept, Pizza Sisters. Indulge in well-crafted, timeless pizzas from 10 am ’til late (that’s 3 am on weekends!).

Related: The Wildflour Group presents George and Onnie’s

Revamped and refreshed, with many new surprises

The Wildflour Group’s popular hangout for burgers and hotdogs has reopened its doors, now boasting a larger space with refreshed interiors. Their speakeasy, Hotel Bar returns, is also accessible from the walkway hidden behind the red door. They’ve also opened a new sports bar to the left of Pink’s, primed for casual hangouts and catching the latest sports games. For dessert, stop by the kiosk between Pink’s and Pizza Sisters for some of their special soft-serve ice cream.

In case you missed it: The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023: Sips earns the top spot in the prestigious ranking

This beloved Korean fried chicken restaurant is now in the Philippines, marking its first branch outside South Korea

With over 170 branches throughout South Korea, Kkanbu Chicken is recognised as one of the country’s best-loved Korean fried chicken restaurants, loved for its consistent quality and top service. This new outlet at Solaire Resort marks their first restaurant outside Korea, bringing authentic Korean comfort food to the Philippines. Eat through their wide range of sweet, spicy, and garlicky flavours, with wings, legs, tenders, and more. Try out their sides, including the chewy cheese balls with mozzarella cheese.

Related: Where To Order: Tatler’s Guide To The Best Korean Fried Chicken In Metro Manila

Pastry chef Miko Aspiras concocts one-of-a-kind scoops at this playful gelateria

Artisanal gelato by award-winning pastry chef Miko Aspiras. Taking inspiration from time-tested flavour combinations, the scoops at Gelato by chef Miko are bold yet familiar with a fresh and playful twist. Have a soft spot for chocolate? Try the Valrhona chocolate crinkle with Bukidnon milk and 70 per cent Guanaja cocoa cookies. The New York cheesecake cookie dough, made with creamy sour cream cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies, is set to be another favourite. Opt for the coconut mascarpone Amarena cherry with Fabbri cherries for something even more luxurious, with coconut milk and mascarpone cheese.