Haliya
City of Dreams Manila, Aseana Boulevard Corner Macapagal Avenue, Entertainment City, Parañaque City
Contact: 8800-8080
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cityofdreamsmanila
Open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Monday to Sunday)
(SPOT.ph) We're of the belief that Filipino food needs no fixing—but it's also worth noting how the cuisine is versatile enough that it takes well to more contemporary spins. When you cross creativity with attention to technique, great ingredients, and of course, respect to tradition, you get truly amazing dishes that'll open your eyes to the many possibilities of our cuisine. That's exactly how they're doing it at the newest dining establishment at City of Dreams Manila: Check out Haliya, which churns out all sorts of modern Filipino eats—including a must-try adobo with foie gras!
Also read: The A-List: The Best Versions of Adobo You Can Order in Manila
This new restaurant at City of Dreams Manila reimagines Filipino food in a modern light:
Haliya is located on the ground floor of City of Dreams Manila's Nüwa. The place is consistent with the hotel's luxe theme for sure, but it also has a hominess and charm that ultimately connects to its Filipino core. Amid the opulent seats, high ceiling, and marble tables, you'll find two colorful murals by Filipino muralist and painter Yana Ofrasio, which incorporates patterns of the Vinta boats of Mindanao as an ode to the celebratory nature of Filipino culture.
At the helm of the kitchen is Chef de Cuisine Edmundo San Jose, whose 24-year culinary track includes working both here in the Philippines and the Middle East—thus exposing him to the various cuisines from around the world. At Haliya, San Jose takes inspiration from the good ol' home-cooked fare most Filipinos are likely familiar with, and aims to "enhance the basic flavors" that you probably know and love. "In combining the traditional way of cooking Filipino dishes with the creative techniques I’ve learned in my two decades of exposure to Asian and international cuisines, I am delighted to offer new interpretations of Filipino classical dishes... that will appeal to local and international palates,” the seasoned chef shares. With that, San Jose employs both local and imported ingredients—all of great quality, of course—to take Filipino classics up a notch, without losing the soulful flavors that form their backbone.
You can open your meal on a fresh and vibrant note with starters like the Kilawing Tanigue (P650), a light yet zippy ceviche-esque plate of tanigue fillet, local sea urchin, lato (sea grapes), cucumber, and watercress. There's also the surprisingly balanced Binalot na Cochi (P500), which brings together fresh and indulgent worlds with shredded roast suckling pig and adobo flakes plus atsara atop butter lettuce. Be sure to have a bit of everything in each bite so you can fully relish how the juicy, succulent meats meld with the crispness and piquancy of the other ingredients!
For mains, expect familiar fare taken up a notch with the use of great-quality meat and seafood. For example, they make an amped-up Paksiw Apahap (P1,880) that uses pan-seared local sea bass for a succulent bite; and Bistek Tagalog (P1,800) that highlights tender, flavorful slow-roasted black Angus beef tenderloin.
What you really don't want to miss, though, is their opulent take on good ol' adobo. Dubbed the Haliya Adobo (P1,250), this features chicken that's twice-cooked for maximum tenderness, plus grilled pineapple, a shallot confit, baby bok choy, marble potatoes, and a rich adobo glaze. Adding buttery richness to the whole mix are seared slabs of foie gras, which make for uber-decadent bites. And with crispy garlic chips on top, you also get a welcome pop of toasty, pungent flavor.
Don't worry, rice fans—you can definitely get your fix of the classic Filipino carb here, with one-of-a-kind rice dishes like the Binakol Rice (P650) with pulled chicken inasal, sayote, and coconut meat. And for a sweet ending, be sure to leave room for the savory-sweet Chichingka (P400)—their take on bibingka cheesecake, served on the table over a burner top!
Haliya is at City of Dreams Manila, Aseana Boulevard Corner Macapagal Avenue, Entertainment City, Parañaque City. For more information, check out City of Dreams' Facebook page.
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