One of the best things in life is enjoying great food and experiencing new culinary pleasures. After all, we Filipinos are always game when it comes to chibog time, right?
So here are five suggestions for your next foodie adventure.
1) Authentic Spanish Jamon at Txanton
Txanton is the only certified jamoneria in the country that serves the best Iberico hams imported from Spain.
All the jamon served at Txanton are expertly carved by their in-house maestro cortador (master carver). As Txanton general manager Besay Gonzalez would like to say, they have the “highest respect for the jamon.”
For first time diners, Gonzalez and Chef Justo Rodrigo Lopez suggest the Bellota Tasting Platter, which has four different kinds of delectable Iberico Bellota jamon. Each type of jamon is paired with wine. Though the flavors differ, all the jamon in the platter are smooth to the palett and packed with flavor.
Txanton is located at 2nd Floor Alegria Alta, 2294 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, Makati City. They are open from Monday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Kitchen is closed on Sundays. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 812-2040 loc. 112. For more information, visit www.txanton.com.ph.
2) Giant Tomahawk Steak at The Fireplace
Admit it, we love everything sulit (good buy). A high quality product with a reasonable price will make our hearts sing. Well, that’s exactly what they have at the new and improved The Fireplace at New World Manila Bay Hotel.
The gigantic Tomahawk Steak is a sight to behold and a treat to savor. It’s big enough to share with two to three people, but we won’t blame you if you’ll finish it all on your own. Chef James Williams from Australia made sure the Tomahawk Steak, which is just one of the many additions to The Fireplace’s revamped menu, is always seasoned to perfection, cooked to the guest’s liking, and will always keep you coming back for more.
The Fireplace is located at the New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 Pedro Gil corner M.H. Del Pilar, Manila. For reservations and inquiries, call (02) 252-6888.
3) Pulpog from Come Forth Kitchen
There’s nothing like family to make you try new things! That’s exactly what restaurateur Christine De Leon and her family discovered many years ago when they had a family trip to Ilocos and tried a local delicacy called Pulpog — the prodigal son of sisig but with a sour kick.
So when Christine opened Come Forth Kitchen, they made sure they have Pulpog in their menu with the help of chefs Kat Pascual and Gigi Almeda. The tender pork is rendered with smokey flavors with a hint of pepper and acidity. The sliced red onions on top add a crisp texture and a kick to the savory dish. It is definitely something new to try.
Come Forth Kitchen is located at 120 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air Village, Makati City. They are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
4) ‘Pig on a Pillow’ from Black Sheep
This dish will awaken the culinary daredevil in you. What do you get when you mix fresh uni (sea urchin) from Pangasinan with crispy and flavorful pork face a la sisig? A taste of heaven in a bao.
This is chef Patrick Go’s very own take on a Chinese favorite: Pig on a Pillow. The flavorful pork belly slices (the pig) are nestled in between a fluffy pork bao (the pillow). The delicate, creamy, slightly sweet uni perfectly compliments the fiery sisig flavors of the pork. Truly a match made in heaven.
Black Sheep is located at 2230 UPRC1 Building, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. They are open Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 nn to 2:00 p.m. for lunch and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dinner. For inquiries and reservations, call +639277837083 or email eat@blacksheepmnl.ph.
5) Anything with Raclette cheese from Chesa Bianca
I think we can all agree that anything with cheese is great! And who knows cheese better than the Swiss?
Chesa Bianca Swiss Restaurant is just one of the four dining establishments at Dining @ Yakal in Makati City. Owned and operated by the same awesome people behind Santi’s Delicatessen, Chesa Bianca is currently celebrating a deliciously gooey festival from August to September: the Raclette Cheese Fest!
They have five dishes available until September 30 in honor of the glorious wonder that is Raclette cheese. Salty, a bit nutty, and oh-so-gooey, they will melt the top of a Raclette wheel (cut in half, of course) and once the cheese if melted and bubbling, they will scrape the melted cheese onto your choice of accompaniment: Australian sirloin steak, fried chicken, or prawns. Each serving comes with toasted baguette, cute and tiny cornichon (baby pickles), pearl onions, mushrooms, and baby potatoes.
Believe me when I say, Chesa Bianca is a haven for cheese lovers because they also have fondue all year long!
Chesa Bianca Swiss Restaurant is located at Dining @ Yakal, 7431 Yakal Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City. They are open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
