Greenhills gets a new gourmet restaurant, with fantastic drinks to boot too

Greenhills Shopping Center is a bargain mecca, yes, but this iconic San Juan space is also known for its vibrant food scene, frequented by families and shoppers from all corners of Manila and beyond. 

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This week, the Greenhills food scene became even more vibrant with the opening of Hey Brew. It's the newest collaboration between Chef Niño Laus (Ninyo) and mixologist Kalel Demetrio (Alamat) — the great minds behind Poblacion's progressive Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen —, and Janica Lao (whose family we should all thank for Choi Garden and Beard Papa Cream Puffs).

Hey Brew is a bar with coffee and cocktails plus a casual dining restaurant featuring “a fun version” of Ninyo’s food.

Photo: Ching Dee/GMA News

What started off as a simple cafe concept blossomed into an intricate balance of high end cuisine and bespoke beverages, something both Chef Niño and Kalel are used to by now. 

The interiors of Hey Brew exude a playful beach-side vibe with the tropical leaves on the walls (murals, faux, and actual plants), exposed wood, and warm lighting. Industrial accents like metal pipes and copper-colored fixtures bring a millennial look into the mix.

A giant “Hey Stranger!” neon sign adorns the wall by the bar, inviting everyone to drop by. The 80-seater restaurant was designed by Manila Increation Studios, who also worked on Agimat.

Chef Niño describes the food at Hey Brew as the more playful version of the menu in his first restaurant, the 17-year-old Ninyo Fusion Cuisine in Katipunan, Quezon CIty. Hey Brew’s bites (appetizers, best enjoyed with drinks) are intentionally made to appeal to the Instagram-crazy crowd, offering a feast for both the eyes and the tastebuds. The sandwiches and mains are focused on satisfying one’s hefty appetite and served in a more subdued way, sometimes even family style.

Most of the dishes are inspired by Asian and Western cuisine, but Chef Niño gave it a Japanese twist to breathe new life to classics — much like how Hey Brew is bringing something new to the Greenhills tableau.

Here’s what you can expect from the newest addition at Greenhills Shopping Center.

From the menu, we definitely saw a few more items that piqued our curiosity and we’ll be lining them up for our next visit, like the Dashi Fried CHicken and Mochi Waffle with Matcha Powder and Whipped Maple Sriracha Butter (P300), Gochujang-braised US Short Ribs with Roasted Bone Marrow, Grilled Cabbage Steak, and Cauliflower Puree (P750), and Slow-cooked Pork Belly simmered in soy sauce and dashi, topped with grilled leeks, a poached egg, spicy pork floss, and crackling (P530).

Kalel’s mastery behind the bar transcends cocktails and it shows in their current beverage list. Here are some of the items we tried from their drinks menu.

— LA, GMA News

Hey Brew, Theater Mall Entrance, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. Sun-Thu, 11am-12am; Fri & Sat, 11am-2am