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The Toyo Eatery team moves to Rockwell for a month-long pop-up, trading tasting menus for casual bites at the luxurious Balmori Suites
Fresh off their Asia’s 50 Best wins, chef Jordy Navarra and the Toyo Eatery family take a quick break from their famed Karrivin Plaza restaurant. While the award-winning establishment will remain closed for renovations, the team heads to The Balmori Suites, Rockwell Center to present a casual dining concept: Orosa.
Running from April 19 to May 14, the summer pop-up pays homage to Maria Orosa and her consequential legacy as a scientist, activist, humanitarian, and war hero. While many may not be familiar with her story, Orosa’s food innovations have become quintessential to Filipino cuisine—take, for example, banana ketchup and the palayok.
Read more: Why Filipino cuisine is one of the richest food cultures in the world
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Its moniker is also a nod to its surrounding neighbourhood. “The name behind our summer pop-up follows Rockwell’s penchant for recognising various acclaimed artists, by naming their buildings after them: Fernando Amorsolo, José Joya, Vicente Manansala, and so on” the Filipino restaurant shares in an Instagram post. Orosa is the latest in a series of seasonal pop-ups at The Balmori Suites, which previously hosted the Katipunan-based Filipino restaurant, Hapag.
See also: We asked 4 top chefs in the Philippines: can fine dining ever be sustainable?
At Orosa, Toyo Eatery does away with degustation, adopting a more laid-back approach. Expect casual dishes small bites reminiscent of “diner days and clubhouse afternoons of Manila in a bygone era” in both solo and family-style portions. With a no-reservations policy, it is a sincere invitation to come as you are and leisurely enjoy an uncomplicated, delicious meal.
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Orosa by Toyo Eatery is located at G/F The Balmori Suites, Rockwell Center, Makati City, with a walk-ins-only policy. The pop-up will run from April 19 to May 14, open Wednesdays to Sundays from 11.30am to 9pm.
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
