US Restaurant Chain Olive Garden Has Arrived in the Philippines

Couldn’t get enough of “Culinary Class Wars?” Solaire Resort is allowing you to experience some of the dishes featured on the hit Netflix show as they bring Chef Choi to Manila this April!

For two exclusive evenings, be part of an intimate dining experience with Chef Choi Hyun Seok, who will be showcasing some of his signature dishes from “Culinary Class Wars” alongside specially crafted amuse-bouches and desserts. You can witness the master at work at the Finestra Italian Steakhouse at the Solaire Resort in Parañaque City on Apr. 5, with a second serving at their Vertis North branch on Apr. 6. 

Diners will be treated to a special Korean-inspired menu with his famed Vongole — a unique Korean twist on the classic Italian clam pasta — taking center stage. And yes, he’s including garlic this time! Other menu highlights include Miyeok-guk, a refined version of the classic Korean seaweed soup, and the masterful Jang Trio Steak, featuring the famed Korean “Jang” sauces. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the trio of desserts, which includes two amuse-bouches and a sweet bingsu-inspired creation.

Fans of Chef Choi or the show can avail of this one-of-a-kind dining experience and taste his amazing creations for P11,888. You can reserve your spot here.  

For updates, stay tuned on Solaire Resort’s Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Twitter) pages. 

Anyone up for a taste of a real St. Paddy’s Day celebration? 

Get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with a taste of Irish whiskey at The Spirits Library this Mar. 15, 2025, at 4:30 PM with The Tasting Club.

Following their Irish Whiskey Tasting with Kris Ong from last year that featured a selection of rare Irish whiskeys, The Tasting Club continues this tasting journey through Ireland with another selection of Irish whiskies: Tullamore DEW, Writer’s Tears Copper Pot, The Irishman Single Malt, Waterford Ballymorgan 1.2, Yellow Spot 12 Years, and Redbreast 12 Years. 

The Irish Whiskey Tasting is priced at P2,000 nett per person, with bookings to be directed to The Tasting Club on Instagram. 

A Run-Through of Irish Whiskey Types

To get the most out of the Irish whiskey tasting experience, here’s a rundown of every Irish whiskey type. These liquors depend on the type of grain used and its distillation process. 

Single Malt Irish Whiskey: These whiskeys are made entirely from malted barley that are distilled in a pot still inside a single distillery. These can be double or triple distilled. The Irishman Single Malt is a whiskey of this type.

Single Pot Still Whiskey: This is a mixture of malted and unmalted barley that is completely distilled in a pot still inside a single distillery. The difference between single malt and single pot still whiskey is the addition of raw, unmalted grain. Yellow Spot 12 Years is a single pot still whiskey. 

Grain Whiskey: This is a whiskey type produced from continuous distillation in a column or Coffey still and is produced from a variety of grains. 

Blended Whiskey: This is a mix of all other types and is the most common style of Irish and Scotch whiskeys. Tullamore DEW is a blended whiskey. 

Location: The Spirits Library, 4963 Guerrero St, Poblacion, Makati 1210

Date and Time: Mar. 15, 2025, 4:30 PM

Admission Fee: P2,000 nett

Make your reservations via their Instagram page.

The home of the burger and lobster has just arrived in the Philippines!

One of London’s most famous restaurants, Burger & Lobster, has opened their first branch in the Philippines, located at the Upper Ground Level of the SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City. 

Get ready to crack some shells, hear the sizzles of beef, devour some good food, raise a glass, and do all those things again at Burger & Lobster. 

Launched in late February and opening its doors in early March, the restaurant features some of its classic dishes from London, including The Burger (The Mayfair) (P990), The Lobster (Classic Whole Lobster) (P4790), and The Lobster Roll (P1650). They also introduced two new Manila-exclusive dishes—The Honcho Burger (P595) and Surf & Turk Platter (P4290/P6390)—to cater to the Filipino palate. 

Other items on the menu worth looking out for are the Lobster Mac & Cheese (P990), Atomic Burger (P695), Manila Roll (P790), Spicy Chili Lobster (P3190/P5490), The B&L Combo One (P5290), and the B&L Combo Two (P7090). 

Burger & Lobster is open for walk-ins and reservations. Learn more by visit their website and Instagram page. 

Location: Burger & Lobster, Upper Ground Level, SM Aura Premier, Bonifacio Global City

Opening Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM

After 15 years of globetrotting through the kitchens of New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Chef Kevin David is finally opening the doors to his own culinary haven, Restaurant Idalia.

Before opening its doors permanently, Restaurant Idalia is offering a sneak peek at its menu with an exclusive Kitchen Takeover at Bibio. For two nights only, Chef Kevin David will be showcasing his signature produce-driven cooking in an intimate dining experience that blends refined technique with bold, ingredient-focused flavors.

Taking place at Bibio Natural Wine Bar in Poblacion, Makati City on Mar. 14 and Mar. 15, 2025, this is a rare chance to sample Idalia’s highly anticipated menu.  

Restaurant Idalia is rooted in a passion for purposeful, ingredient-led cooking. Expect a thoughtfully curated selection of dishes, from Laffa Flatbread with Hummus for P375 and Crispy Calamari (P600) to an umami-packed Udon "Carbonara" with Togarashi and Onsen Egg (P500).

For mains, the NY Strip steak with soubise, leeks, and wine jus (P1,950) promises a perfectly executed indulgence, and dessert lovers can end the night with an Auro Chocolate Torta with pistachio, orange, and crème fraîche (P425).

This takeover sets the stage for Restaurant Idalia’s long-awaited permanent home, marking the evolution of what began as a series of seasonal pop-ups into a full-fledged dining experience. 

Seats are extremely limited, so book now!

For more information, visit Restaurant Idalia on their Instagram. Visit the wine bar Bibio's Instagram here. 

Location: Bibio, 5659 Don Pedro St, Poblacion, Makati

Opening Hours: Mar.14 - 2 seating options, either 6 PM or 8:30 PM. Mar.15 - 2 seating options, either 6 PM or 8:30 PM.

Toyo Eatery once again adds to their glimmering list of achievements in the international culinary scene. 

The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy announced on Feb. 25, 2025 that Manila-based Filipino restaurant Toyo Eatery was named the winner of the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025. 

This award is voted for by the 350-plus members of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, who were asked to name the one establishment that has provided the best hospitality experience in the last 18 months. The award is the second special award to have been unveiled leading up to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 programme and awards ceremony to be held at the Grand Hyatt, Seoul, on Mar. 25, 2025. 

Toyo Eatery has continued its rise in the industry since debuting at the Asia’ 50 Best Restaurants as the One to Watch Award Winner in 2018. The following year, the restaurant joined the list as No. 43 while consistently holding onto the title of The Best Restaurant in the Philippines for five years and winning the prestigious Sustainable Restaurant Award in 2023. 

Currently ranked as No. 24 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, Toyo Eatery – named after the Tagalog word for soy sauce – is helmed by husband-and-wife team Jordy and May Navarra. The restaurant honors Filipino heritage and food culture, concepts that are thought to be deeply personal experiences. 

William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, said, “At Toyo Eatery, each guest is warmly immersed in Filipino food culture – whether you are there to enjoy a tasting menu of reimagined cuisine, or the kamayan sharing plates, eaten by hand off banana leaves. Genuine hospitality is also evident in the personal touches from Jordy and May – from the seamless integration of interiors, floral and vegetable displays and wall art to local craftmanship and, of course, in the way they educate diners about their food. A hearty congratulations to the entire Toyo Eatery team.” 

Toyo Eatery is a deep dive into the culinary culture of the Philippines. With their vegetable-forward menu, mindful use of local ingredients, service ware, art, furniture, and design, the restaurant celebrates everything Filipino, loud and proud. 

Filipino culture is reimagined in a showcase of bold flavors through fermentation and preservation, which are apparent in signature dishes like Bahay Kubo, an 18-vegetable salad inspired by a beloved Tagalog folk song; a creative twist on pork barbecue using three cuts of pork; and Tortang Talong, where banana ketchup takes the spotlight and is paired with an eggplant omelette. 

Every meal cooked by Toyo Eatery is a deeply personal and enlightening journey into the Philippines’ rich gastronomic and artisanal landscape. 

Chef Jordy Navarra leads the team at Toyo Eatery, after honing his skills at The Fat Duck in the UK – ranked The World’s Best Restaurant in 2005 – and Bo Innovation in Hong Kong. Since opening Toyo Eatery in 2016 with his wife May, they have championed minimizing their carbon footprint, locally sourcing their ingredients, and fostering relationships with farmers and artisans, all the while maintaining an approachable fine dining atmosphere. 

On winning the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025, Chef Jordy said, “To be welcomed into a Filipino home is to experience genuine warmth and care. At Toyo Eatery, our style of hospitality has always kept that in mind. We continue to go beyond just service, which is why we are deeply honored to receive this year’s award. We aim to convey the Filipino experience, not just through the dishes we serve, but also by creating genuine connections with our guests. This award belongs to our incredible team and to all those who have dined with us. Maraming salamat (Thank you very much.)”

Olivia Flynn, Global Brand Manager at Gin Mare, said, “Congratulations to Toyo Eatery on winning the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award as part of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025! Its unwavering dedication to creating a welcoming environment where guests can immerse themselves in Filipino traditions is a true testament to the team’s commitment to hospitality. This well-deserved recognition perfectly embodies the Gin Mare spirit. Cheers to Toyo Eatery on this outstanding achievement.” 

Location: Toyo Eatery, The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces Ext., Makati, Philippines

Opening Hours: 6 PM to 11 PM, Tuesdays to Saturdays