#Restaurants

As featured in 10 Best Restaurants/Cafes of One Bonifacio High Street!

Elephant Grounds Manila is the Hongkong third-wave coffee franchise concept by The Standard Group (of Yabu and Ippudo fame) with the dynamic chef duo of Nicco Santos (executive chef) and Quenee Villar (formerly of Hey Handsome).

In Manila, it’s known more as an all-day brunch One Bonifacio restaurant, noted for its food more than its coffee. As the opening hype and queuing lines die down, here’s what we think of Elephant Grounds in Manila.

ELEPHANT GROUNDS MANILA
Independent micro-roaster and café concept from Hong Kong
Lower Ground Floor, One Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Mobile: +63 999 887-1417
Facebook: Elephant Grounds Manila
Instagram: @elephantgroundsph

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As featured in 10 Best NEW Homegrown Restaurants in Manila of 2019!

HAPAG MNL is a private dining venture turned into a modern Filipino restaurant by Chef-owners Thirdy Dolatre (CCA), Kevin Villarica (ISCAHM) and Kevin Navoa (Malaysia-trained) in a Quezon City neighborhood.  The name of the restaurant is inspired by the dining table where the family gathers to bond and eat.

Often compared to Toyo and said to be the younger and bolder version, Hapag elevates Filipino cuisine with cleaner execution and exciting presentation without losing its bold flavor taste profile. The comparison can’t be avoided because of their similarities: both are Chef-driven modern Filipino concepts characterized by an open kitchen, tasteful Filipino furniture and location that’s hidden in an alley.

Is it better than Toyo? Is it the next best thing in modern Filipino cuisine in Manila? Or is it all just hype?

I tried it with Rache and Chef Tatung, and here’s what we think…

HAPAG Private Dining
201 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
Tuesdays to Sundays: 6.00 pm and 8.30 pm seatings
Mobile: +63 947 560 1853
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @hapag.mnl
Facebook: Hapag MNL
Website: http://hapagprivatedining.com

PAUNA

Hapag is in a quaint hidden location off Katipunan and open only for dinner service.

Hapag Menu: Eight Course Tasting Menu | A la Carte Menu

The 24-seater restaurant features an open kitchen, a chef’s table counter and two seatings, 6.00 pm and 8.30 pm.

Mapapa-mores Ka (₱280). Mulberry, gin, lemon, basil | Hele ni Nanay (₱280). Cucumber, aloe vera, gin, elderflower | Dalagang Pinay (₱280). Dalandan liquer, tequila, lemon, agave.

Beverage Menu:  Signature Cocktails, Wine | Coffee, Tea

It has a decent Filipino-themed cocktail selection by Larry Guevara featuring spirits from Destileria Limtuaco.

EIGHT COURSE TASTING MENU
₱2,500 Vat inclusive + ₱800 for Beverage Pairing

As first-timers, we tried the eight-course tasting menu, but you have the option to order ala-carte subsequently.

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Red Lobster, America’s #1 seafood restaurant, is just the place for all-day lobster celebrations for those #lobsterworthy moments. Sometimes a fresh live lobster feast is the only way to commemorate momentous occasions.

Here are some tips on how to make your Red Lobster moments more awesome with your family and friends…

Related Blog Post: RED LOBSTER PH IS NOW IN MANILA!

First Things First

Menu: New Items | Meat and Scallop Lunchmates, Soups & Salads | Starters | Pasta & Pizza | Mains | Seafood Feast Combination | Desserts | Ocean Coolers | Alcoholic Drinks, Wines | Now Pouring

The menu is focused on fresh/frozen lobster and seafood specialties in an American dining context with limited meat options.

Located at high-end malls, Red Lobster in Manila features a red-themed American diner setting conducive to family gatherings.

RED LOBSTER Philippines
#1 Seafood Restaurant in America now in Manila

Locations:
Level 1 S Maison, MOA Complex, Pasay City
Operating Hours: 10.00am to 10.00pm
Mobile: +63 (917) 432-2626
Email: [email protected]

3F Evia Lifestyle Center, Las Piñas City
Operating Hours: 10.00am to 10.00pm
Mobile: +63 (927) 969 0036
Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Red Lobster Philippines
Instagram: @redlobsterph
Website: https://redlobster.com.ph

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Van Gogh Alive, the world’s most-visited multi-sensory exhibition, is now open in Manila, coming from its last exhibit in Hong Kong and before moving to Taiwan.

Thanks to the Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc. (BAFI), in partnership with Grande Exhibitions, for presenting Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic works in an immersive 90-minute multimedia experience on the 4th level of BGC’s newest shopping, dining and lifestyle center, One Bonifacio High Street, from October 26 until December 8, 2019.

This is one of the most inspiring shows you should not miss in Manila for creative inspiration from Van Gogh’s work and specially for the kids’ immersion in the world of art. Most of the weekend online tickets are sold out, so you may go on weekday mornings or take a chance on the on-site tickets.

Here are some tips and tricks on how to maximize your 90 minutes and enjoy the immersive experience…

Van Gogh Alive Philippines
One Bonifacio High Street, Monday to Sunday
Operating Time: 11:00 am to 09:30 pm (7 time slots – 90 mins each slot)
Official website: https://www.vangoghalive.ph/
Facebook: Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio High Street
Official Hashtag: #VanGoghAlivePH, #OneBHS, #ArtandScienceBGC

If your preferred date and time is sold out online, limited tickets may still be available in the ticket booths below on a first come, first served basis:

• Van Gogh Alive Ticket Booth, 4th floor, One Bonifacio High Street, Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 09:00 pm
• The Mind Museum Ticket Booth, Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00AM to 05:00PM

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For the first time, Chef Josh Boutwood of Helm, Chef Alfredo Sangrador of Rambla and Chef Ignacio Alcala of Las Flores collaborated together to bring a 6-hand 8-course dinner featuring the flavors of Barcelona.

First Things First

The 6 hands dinner was held at the new Rambla Salcedo located on the corner of Tordesillas and Bautista Sts.

Read More: RAMBLA SALCEDO Makati: Best Spanish Tapas Bar in the Salcedo Neighborhood! 

Chef Josh made the main course and 1 dessert; Chef Alfredo did 1 starter and 1 desert; and Chef Ignacio created 2 appetizers, 1 starter and 1 main course.

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Zi Char Singaporean food is home-cooked wok-fried food that is like hawker street flavors in a kopitiam setting. It’s an array of creative dishes influenced by Malay, Indian and Peranakan flavors usually served in hearty family sharing style portions. Zi Char kitchens are known for their signature noodle, vegetable stir-fry and seafood specialties.

Keng Eng Kee is one of the top Zi Char eateries in Singapore known for its dishes made from recipes spanning three generations. We tried KEK food in World Street Food here in Manila, but I haven’t really tried their signature dishes and eatery in Singapore.

We were so excited to try KEK’s Zi Char food in Manila!

About Keng Eng Kee

Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK) originated from an immigrant couple who came from Hainan Island, armed with the determination to eke out a life of their own in Singapore. Skilled in the culinary arts, Low Peck Yah and Koh Yok Jong started their life in Singapore by selling Hainanese Chicken Rice before creating KEK, focusing on the ‘zi char’ cuisine in the 1970s. The couple then passed their wok over to their daughter and her Malaysian-born husband, who expanded the menu, adding Southeast Asian Influences.

Over the years, they stayed true to their values of diligence, hard work and commitment. The Liew family are all seasoned professionals who have worked in kitchens since their formative years.

Continuing the family legacy, KEK is now helmed by the three third-generation siblings, under the close supervision of their father:

• Wayne Liew, Executive Chef
• Paul Liew, Head of Business Operation
• Geraldine Liew, Head of Service Operations

Awards and features:

• Awarded Michelin Plate 2016-2019
• Featured on the food documentary series “Street Food” on Netflix, which features staple street food from some of the world’s most colorful cities. KEK was chosen as a representative of Singapore’s mainstay dish, the Chili Crab.
• Featured on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Singapore Episode (2017)
• Ranked #1 in Top 100 Hawkers 2018 by Burpple Singapore
• Ranked 28th on the World Street Food Congress 2017
• Listed in 2018 Ctrip Gourmet List Destination
• Visited by more than 70 chefs and industry players for an impromptu supper session in June 2019 when many renowned international chefs were in Singapore for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards
• Chosen as venue where Eric Ripert of LE Bernardin, American Express Icon Award Winner Jose Andres and Paul from KEK celebrated Bourdain Day on 25 June 2019

KENG ENG KEE SEAFOOD
Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1 (Alexandra Village), #01-136, Singapore 150124
Instagram: @kengengkee

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As featured in 10 Best Restaurants/Cafes of One Bonifacio High Street!

This is one of the landmark cafes at the center of BGC on 5th Avenue corner Bonifacio High Street.

Because Coffee by fashion brand Harlan + Holden is known to be a cashless coffee shop where you can order your coffee in advance. The branding is on point, and the place is the simple answer when you are stressed or pondering on your whys in life.

Apart from the intimidating sleek minimalist design, is the coffee any good?

Harlan + Holden Coffee
G/F One Bonifacio, Philippine Stock Exchange, 5th Avenue, BGC, Taguig.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.harlanholden.coffee
Facebook: harlan + holden coffee
Instagram: @harlanholden.coffee

Download Harlan + Holden Coffee’s app from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

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