In case you missed it, here’s a round-up of the latest dining developments from October. From premium new steak cuts at familiar favorites to upcoming culinary events that already have us booking seats, Manila’s dining scene is only just heating up.
October brought a flurry of excitement to Manila’s dining scene, so much so that we’re already bracing ourselves for a little pre-holiday indulgence and weight gain. Here are some of our favorite culinary experiences from the past month (and one exciting upcoming event) that continue to linger in our minds, and have us eager to go back for more.
The Magic Table At Grand Hyatt Manila
Grand Hyatt Manila has announced the arrival of The Magic Table, coming this January 2026. The experience promises to be a groundbreaking five-course dinner that fuses illusion and gastronomy in a genre-defying performance by world-renowned mentalist duo The Clairvoyants. At a recent media sneak peek, the team behind the concept offered a taste of what awaits Manila diners—culinary illusions like caviar-topped marble potatoes camouflaged among real stones, scallops resting on a bed of edible seashells, and charred broccoli that vanished into what appeared to be lumps of coal. In attendance was Thommy Ten, one-half of The Clairvoyants and a finalist on America’s Got Talent Season 11, who took the stage solo with a tightly choreographed act of mentalism and magic that left guests questioning reality. The two-hour dinner experience, which will be held at The Peak in Grand Hyatt BGC, is set to debut next year. Reservations will soon open to the public.
St. ALi’s Coffee Omakase In BGC
St. ALi’s, the specialty coffee pioneer from Australia, finds a chic new home in a two-floor space in BGC, offering an omakase-style tasting that showcases the versatility of its signature blends. Like a traditional Japanese omakase—where chefs serve a changing menu each day, roughly translating to “I leave it up to you”—this concept pairs curated coffee creations with small bites, creating a multi-course experience that redefines how we enjoy our favorite caffeinated drinks. Lifestyle Asia attended the recent launch and tasting, which you can read about in full here.
Highlights included the “First Bloom,” which began with a pour-over drink that let the coffee’s floral and fruity notes shine, and was accompanied by a Chocolate Éclair with Orange Diplomat. There was also the “Two to Tango” course, which was an interplay of milk and espresso, the rich blend consisting of 20% coconut milk, 20% macadamia milk, and 60% luscious full cream milk that added an inventive, nuanced layer to the stronger shot of espresso. A chocolate and honeycomb sorbet with cherries finished it off with a lighter mouthfeel—and transformed the espresso into an affogato for those bold enough to dunk a scoopful of it into their shots.
READ ALSO: ST. ALi Opens Its Second Manila Cafe In BGC
Dining For A Cause At Metiz
Globe Platinum’s Gastronome Giving returns, partnering with restaurants across the Philippines to prevent involuntary hunger through the Hapag Movement, Globe’s initiative that aims to directly help 100,000 Filipino families across the country’s 50 most hunger-affected areas. Among the participating restaurants is the acclaimed Metiz, where the kitchen showcases its inventiveness across four “movements.” Headed by Chef Stephan Duhesme, co-founder and executive chef of Metiz, the modern Filipino restaurant is celebrated for its inventive menu built around local, seasonal, plant-based ingredients, as well as its use of traditional Filipino techniques such as buro (fermenting), tuyo (drying), and kinilaw (pickling). We had the opportunity to try the new Metiz x Globe menu, which you can read about in full detail here. Highlights include the Ensaladang Gulay and Buttered Vegetable, the Ensaimada inspired by Chef Stephan’s grandmother, and perfectly grilled tuna belly that practically melted in the mouth. Gastronome Giving runs until November 30, 2025.
READ ALSO: Gastronomy For A Cause: Four Delicious Movements At Metiz
La Cabrera Is Raising The “Steaks”
La Cabrera, the famed Argentinian steakhouse, recently hosted an intimate lunch for select members of the media to introduce a lineup of new dishes now available on their menu. The highlight: their newly sourced meat, flown in straight from Argentina and cooked “The La Cabrera Way”—simply, over a charcoal grill, with no frills like butter or sauces—letting the exceptional tenderness and quality of the protein speak for itself.
The Argentinian rump steak was a delightful surprise: incredibly tender, and served alongside their signature skirt steak in a pairing aptly called Matrimonio. Another standout was the Chuleton con Hueso Argentino, a bone-in ribeye that quite literally melted in the mouth. Pro tip: Their beloved Mollejas (grilled Argentinian veal sweetbreads) is back in stock but remains off-menu. Be sure to ask your server if it’s available to experience the glorious flavor and rich, fatty perfection that only La Cabrera can deliver.
Little Miss Saldo’s Comfort Food
For years, Chef Rhea Rizzo’s Mrs. Saldo’s has stood as a refined dining spot in Silang, Cavite. It’s a world built on the concept of saldo, Spanish for balance, with precise techniques and structured, narrative-driven tasting menus. But even the most disciplined chefs need to let their hair down. Enter Little Miss Saldo’s, a cheeky offshoot that trades the rigor of the tasting menu for the sheer delight of freeform comfort food. The new à la carte concept offers a playful and unrestricted approach to Chef Rhea’s focus on personal expression, emotional connection, and uncompromised quality in dining. The menu at Little Miss Saldo’s is a “mishmash,” as its chef describes: a gorgeous collision of French, New American, and Asian influences. The premise is beautifully simple: comfort food without limits. The all-day breakfast menu features Steak Tapa and Eggs with Atchara Hollandaise; Truffle Eggs Benedict; and Breakfast Churros with Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Ganache. This is a kitchen that’s clearly trying to have a good time, with the diner in on the fun.
READ ALSO: Little Miss Saldo’s: A New À La Carte Space That Masterfully Breaks Structure With A Smile
Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef Arrives In The Philippines
Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef, Japan’s most celebrated Matsusaka producer—renowned for its historic three-year Grand Champion streak (2017–2019) at the prestigious Matsusaka Beef Carcass Competition—is now finally available in the Philippines, allowing local diners to savor its exceptional quality without flying to Japan. Rarely exported, this prized beef reaches the country through Prime Cuts by Doubleday, a purveyor recognized for sourcing rare A5 Wagyu and other artisanal delicacies. Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef will be featured at select partner restaurants, including Teppanya and Sicilian Roast, with more establishments to be announced soon.
PST Opens At Ayala Triangle Gardens
Acclaimed Japanese pizzeria Pizza Studio Tamaki (PST) has officially opened its doors at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Lifestyle Asia was invited to an exclusive sneak peek the night before its grand opening, where founder Tsubasa Tamaki himself served up their signature creations, each made with the freshest ingredients and what might just be the lightest pizza dough we’ve ever tasted.
A must-try is the signature Tamaki Pizza, crafted with fresh basil, smoked mozzarella, Romano cheese, and roasted tomatoes, which you’re encouraged to smash with your fork just before taking a bite. We also couldn’t get enough of the Arrabbiata Pizza, whose gentle heat from housemade chili takes the experience to new heights. Don’t skip the sides either. We loved the octopus and celery in lemon marinade and their luxuriously creamy housemade burrata with prosciutto.
Featured image courtesy of Little Miss Saldo’s
