MANILA, Philippines – Now, restaurants are beginning to transcend the pre-party tag. Suddenly, they are the party, beating clubs at their own game with thumping music, ambient lighting, and overflowing booze.
Of course, you’re going to have go elsewhere if you want some grinding to go with the thumping (music) in that case, there’s always Republiq. But for a quieter night out on the town the kind characterized by good friends, good conversation, good wine, and good food the new resto revolution’s exactly what you were looking for.
No one forgets the first kyss
In a span of a few months, KYSS has become a go-to club for Manila’s younger set. It seems, even on weeknights, the club transforms into a soiree to end all soirees, with some of Manila’s most attractive barely-legals making the rounds and downing shots.
KYSS Restaurant and Lounge Bar is Makati’s newest gem to open and join in the metro’s ever-growing culinary and nightlife industry. Backed by years of experience in the restaurant and night life scene, it was born out of the influences of international travel and exposure to cool casual dining and innovative ideas, as well as the vision of the synthesizing progressive Asian Fusion cuisine and opulent decor.
“You always remember your first KYSS that heart-pumping, earth-shattering experience that brings you close to a state of euphoria,” says the team. “At KYSS, we want you to look for that same experience that will leave you wanting more.”
5345 General Luna Street, Makati Avenue, Makati City
No, not a parlor
Joining The Peninsula Hotel’s signature collection of exquisite 1930s Shanghainese Art Deco-inspired bars and lounges is Salon de Ning at The Peninsula Manila.
Inspired by an elegant private residence from a bygone era, Salon de Ning is an extravagantly unique combination of clubby lounge venue, a collection of travel mementoes and objets d’art reflecting the glamorous lifestyle of Madame Ning, a celebrated Shanghai socialite, bon vivant, peripatetic world traveler and international hostess. From Istanbul to Paris, the desert palaces of Rajasthan to the canals of Venice, the Serengeti and beyond, she presided over salons in her many stylish residences around the world, entertaining her friends and guests in a warm and welcoming environment filled with bibelots and precious objects sourced during her many journeys. Her elegant 1930s Manila seaside mansion inspires the eclectic design of Salon de Ning at The Peninsula Manila.
The Masterpiece
Reality show fans might recognize the name Carlo Miguel from the first Biggest Loser Asia. But for fans of good food, his name has become synonymous with gastronomic excellence.
After serving as chef in Sala Bistro, Carlo brings his more than 17 years of culinary experience to Opus, the Republiq group’s restaurant lounge. “This is my masterpiece,” Carlo says of Opus’ menu. “As you can see from the food, everything’s a masterpiece. There’s molecular gastronomy. It’s working with the caviar pearls, the foams, the powders, everything. It’s something that’s never been done in the Philippines before.”
“I bring the basics here but I experiment a lot, molecularly,” he says, “and bring it to a different level.” His culinary mantra is clear all parts of a dish, no matter how minor, should work together to create a cohesive statement.
The grilled Japanese eel with seared foie gras (P580) and grilled prawns with vanilla-scented corn pudding (P320), for example. Even the garnishes are very much part of the dishes. Like a composer creating his opus, Chef Carlo makes sure all notes are relevant to the gastronomic melody of his work. The spice-roasted French duck breast (P980), meanwhile, surprises with ingredients like plum chutney and carrot coriander.
2/F Newport Mall, Resorts World, Manila
New ascension
It’s an inevitable realization: The new Ascend is a lot like the old Ascend.
But once you get over that and start looking closer, you’ll soon realize that the New Ascend is, in fact, 7th High and that, while geography tends to insist on old memories, it’s a lot different from Ascend.
With completely different owners and partners, they call 7th High a “boutique nightclub.” “Ascend was just a nightclub with three places,” 7th High says. “Here, we have three different function rooms a nightclub, a lounge/piano bar, and a VIP room, plus a presidential suite. It’s all integrated into one place, sophistication and relaxation combined.”
The price for a good time here is pretty affordable, too. The team at 7th High says P500 gets you in with a drink. If you’re on the guest list, that P500 gets you two to three drinks. For the full experience though, P1,000 is required, for dinner plus drinks.
7th High, B3 Quadrant 4 Bonifacio High Street, 5th Ave, Fort Bonifacio
Robotayaki
“If you thought Ninyo was good, he has better equipment here so we have even better food, for sure,” says Luis Bersamin, one of the owners. From the ashes of the old Wasabi Bistro & Bar rises Robotthe Robotayaki Japanese Restaurant and Lounge with acclaimed chef Niño Laus of Ninyo restaurant at the helm.
And it seems Robot really has pulled out all the stops to give the diner the authentic robotayaki experience, importing the binchotan charcoal it’s traditionally prepared with. “We wanted to bring in something new, something fresh,” Luis says. “We wanted something innovative and creative, a real dining experience.”
The creativity doesn’t just end with the food. Promising a complete dining experience, Robot is an experience in itself, with LED lighting, a disco ball bathroom, and a bulb ceiling that will make you think you’re in a Bjork video.
The food, for its sterling pedigree, is surprisingly affordable. “For P1,000 a head, we can promise you a good dinner,” Luis says. “That’s with Wagyu and imported products like meat from Nebraska.”
Among the must-try dishes at Robot is the Robotayaki Sampler (P550), which gives you a taste of the restaurant’s variety of robotayaki dishes. Meanwhile, appetizers like wasabi onion Rings (P190) illustrate just how unpretentious the food at Robot is. While it promises quality dining from a top chef, the food is always simple and easy to love.
G/F of Somerset Olympia Towers along Makati Ave. cor. Sto Tomas.