The Future of Food Technology has Finally Arrived in Manila

There has been a growing trend about food that includes a bit of futurism. In other words, many scientists that specialize in the gastronomical field have begun to include new ways of dealing with food—from the preparation, the presentation, and right up to the delivery. Sure, we’ve seen most of these advancements on television, the Internet, and we maybe have even stumbled upon them in a couple of magazines, but they all seemed too far-fetched, right?

Not anymore! The good news is that a handful of restaurants here in Metro Manila have been adapting with this new way of consuming food! From the humble beginnings of the restaurant culture in the Philippines, this handful of dining places are sure to wow you with the advanced touch they add to their respective dining experiences.

Sakae Sushi Buffet

Located right smack in the SM Mall of Asia, Sakae Sushi serves a five-star selection of Japanese delights that are sure to tickle your taste buds and invigorate your senses. An overwhelming selection of sushi, sashimi, and an assortment of other Japanese delicacies are sure to leave you with a satisfied belly. At a super affordable price of Php 400, you can relish this unique, no-frills Japanese buffet experience.

Having started out in Singapore, Sakae Sushi is known for their sushi conveyor belt that allows you to be serviced as you dine with pleasure! Unlike other buffets where you have to stand up every once in a while to replenish your plate, Sakae Sushi’s conveyor belt simply rolls out all the food items that are ready for you to devour!

Sakae Sushi’s conveyor belt service makes it different from other common Japanese buffet-style restaurants. What’s best about it is that you can spend the whole time chatting away and eating to your heart’s content, without having to stand up and cut those important conversations short just to fill up your plate. This conveyor belt addition should definitely be applied to more Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila.

Cav Wine Shop and Café

After a long day, all you want to do is to unwind, relax, and probably enjoy a glass of wine with some good company. If you happen to be around the Fort area, you might want to check out Cav Wine Shop and Café, located in the Spa Building at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig.

Aside from the warm and cozy ambiance, CAV is known for their comfort food. Though a bit pricey, you can be assured that each dish is prepared with premium ingredients such as Foie Gras, Truffle, and the like. Be sure to try their Rack of Lamb (Php 1,400), which is quite heavy on the pocket, but truly worth every centavo. They also have a great selection of wine, truly for connoisseurs who are particular of their drink. Their vast assortment of bottles is quite overwhelming, but for curious tasters, a self-serve wine machine comes in handy.

Yes, Cav has these pretty cool self-serve wine machines that are probably the classier counterpart of Slurpee machines. Their purpose is to allow guest to come in and taste their selection, and choose which glass of which they would want. Their staff is also commendable; knowing how to pair the wine and the food is really a plus in terms in service.

Liquid Pool and Lounge

If you are looking into more of lounging and socializing, then you shouldn’t miss out on H2O Hotel’s Liquid Pool and Lounge. Aside from its interesting and unique angle in terms of the Manila entertainment scene, Liquid Pool and Lounge give out there RFID-powered bracelets that allow you to connect to your respective social networking sites. It’s pretty cool how Liquid provides you with something to talk about as seen in the venue, people you can talk to, and a device to share what’s happening to your circle of friends. It’s truly a great and one-of-a-kind socialization experience that appeals to the social butterflies of the metro.

Something noteworthy to point out is the fact that this club houses not only dance floor, but also a pool with a depth of three feet, so you can take the dancing there. That is, if you’re looking for a wilder way to party it up.

Opus Restaurant

Aside from being known in the night scene, Opus actually whips up pretty fantastic and interesting meals that allow it to stand alone as a restaurant. Aside from the delectable entrees and lavish ambiance, Opus is truly a classy choice for those who have chic and sophisticated tastes.

Their overwhelming menu is sure to captivate your senses at a glance, but wait until you hear about their newest item: molecular gastronomy. If you watch a lot of Discovery Channel, then this won’t be unfamiliar to you. But for those who aren’t familiar with the concept of molecular gastronomy the European Molecular Biology Organization refers to it as “a sub-discipline of food science that seeks to investigate, explain, and make practical use of the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients that occur while cooking, as well as the social, artistic and technical components of culinary and gastronomic phenomena in general.” In short, this modern form of cooking involves both art and science, and its output being a mélange of visual aesthetic and layers of mind-blowing flavor.

Despite its still-humble beginning, Opus is one of the first to apply this method of cooking into their kitchens. It is still a challenge, given technique and various components that go into it. We recommend you head over to Opus in Resorts World Manila and try this peculiar yet interesting way of dining. Satisfaction (and amusement) is much guaranteed.

La Girolle

For those of you who haven’t heard of La Girolle located in Fort Bonifacio, then you must definitely give it a shot. Not only because of their delicious food, but also because cooking method has made various culinary critics curious about this restaurant.

La Girolle serves set meals, so it’s up to you to choose whether you want a three-course or a five-course meal, making it a venue for those special occasions. Aside from the artistry that comes in every dish, the quality of the ingredients is always guaranteed to be superior such as the herbs, poultry, and meats, among others.

As aforementioned, the cooking method is definitely something to watch out for as La Girolle uses the Sous-vide procedure in preparing some of their meals. Sous-vide is the term used for cooking food that is sealed in plastic bags that are locked airtight. They are then placed in a water bath for as long as 72 hours under a temperature that is determined and precise. The main purpose of this cooking method is to cook the food evenly, and to prevent overcooking the surface while locking in the flavor inside. As a result, the food becomes more tender, more flavorful, and more juicy.

So whether you are craving for something Japanese, something comforting, or something adventurous, this selection of restaurants is sure to satisfy your palette and your cravings. It’s pretty awesome to know how the Philippines is keeping up with these food trends, and how more and more interesting restaurants are opening in the metro. It’s definitely a step up in terms of our local foodie culture, and indeed something amazing to be proud of.

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