Osteria Daniele
G/F High Street Corporate Plaza, 9th Avenue corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City
Contact: 0915-874-5792
Open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Sunday to Thursday) and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Friday to Saturday)
(SPOT.ph) From the moment you walk in, you can immediately sense it—Osteria Daniele glows with a kind of satisfaction grounded in the fact that it was built by people who know what they are doing.
But that glow might also come from the mood lighting, reminiscent of Art Deco hotels and inspiring the hope that a young Christopher Plummer would walk in and give you that look. The overall vibe isn’t simply "retro" or "vintage," but a collection of elements that creates an almost intimately specific feeling. In a way, it makes one nostalgic for that which one only vaguely knows, but is certain one desires. You kind of have to be there to really understand. We’d recommend going over the course of several days, if you can, at different hours—the way the sun hits the bespoke wallpaper and bounces off the polished wood at different points of the day somehow transports you to different places. That’s to say nothing of that glorious bar—it’s as if Don Draper decided to get himself a hacienda for some reason.
We understand if you feel skeptical—the Bistronomia Group, after all, is better known for their Spanish, tapas-focused restaurants. But trust us when we say that they put all their experience and attention to detail and quality into their first Italian venture and it shows.
Grab an Aperol Spritz (P450) and begin your meal with great leisure, because that’s the best way to get the most out of this particular osteria. This drink is more than sweet, biting, and refreshing enough to justify having a second one between mains.
The Burrata (P995) can only be described as a mass of all the best flavors and textures, to the point of deep, deep extravagance—not least because it arrives from under a cloche full of woody smoke. The subtle burn cushions the salinity of the anchovies, helping them lean into the cheese, while that pepper reduction smoothed over the prosciutto earns this dish plenty of chef kisses.
After another sip or two of your spritz, cut through the richness with the Risotto al Limone (P950), which is equal parts gritty and smooth. It isn’t too sour, but the lemon is clearly well-embedded. The foie gras in the middle is neither here nor there but is a lovely addition nonetheless. Pair this with the Polpo alla Griglia (P995), a smoky, herby take on a classic way to prepare seafood, served over a rough orzotto that has a hint of natural sweetness to it.
Then, if your head is screaming, “The night is young and so am I!” order a Bellini (P500), a pretty little thing that will actually take you down a few pegs if you’re not careful. This is assuming you’re not in a red wine mood, in which case we recommend the Orecchiette (P495), served with Italian sausage. Osteria Daniele’s pasta are mostly made in-house, too, so you’re welcome.
Get your Godfather vibes going—and at this point, it should be dark enough to make doing Brando impressions appropriate—with an order of Cannoli (P210). Different iterations and layers of sweet make for the best ending you could possibly imagine. That is, until they update the menu.
It might not be an everyday sort of thing, but when you feel like getting away for an hour, immersing yourself in an altogether different world and indulging thriftlessly in gorgeous food, Osteria Daniele is the place.
Photos by Majoy Siason
