A feast for the eyes and palate: Chef Charles Montañez brings joy to dining with new tasting menu

You'll never know what to expect when dining at Alegria Manila, and for food explorers, that reason alone is already a hook to give this restaurant a try.

Following the success of "Transcultura" tasting menu, Chef Charles Montañez, the mastermind behind Alegria Manila, has created an all-new tasting menu that is a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

While the Latin American and Filipino flavors are still prevalent on his new menu, Chef Charles said this time around, he's not holding back anymore.

Initially, Alegria Manila erred on caution with its debut menu, opting for dishes recognizable to Filipino tastes while incorporating a distinctive Latin American flair.

"When we started the 'Transcultura' movement, we're very conservative," he told GMA Integrated News.

"This time, we're not confining [ourselves] with anything. We will mix and match different components and cooking techniques while utilizing local produce and Latin American ingredients. We are creating dishes that are completely our own," Chef Charles added.

Unlike the original menu, which focused on small bites and tapas, Alegria Manila's new tasting menu will highlight its main courses. These new courses will be more substantial, interactive, and, ultimately, more fun.

The tasting menu will begin with a few bites of appetizers, including Cassava Prawn, Eggplant Caviar, Tapsilog Bread, Tanigue Ikura, and a Chicken Chawanmushi.

Following the appetizers is an interesting serving of Jowl Etag from a Cordilleran charcuterie, Filipino cuisine's version of ham or bacon. It's hang-smoked for seven days, served with grapes pickled in Earl Grey tea. It also features rice puff, truffle, and "binurong singkamas" where all the sourness from the serving will come; it's Alegria's playful take on the Filipino's Dinakdakan.

Another pre-main course meal is a fascinating take on Piyaya and Quesadilla served as one, which features the sweetness of muscovado sugar and the saltiness of goat cheese. A Salsa Molcajete is served on the side for dipping, perfect for those who fancy spicy flavors.

For the first main course, an elevated and healthier take on Filipino "Mami" will surely take your palate on a gastronomic delight. It features palm noodles, a subtly sweet seafood broth, and irresistibly soft Hokkaido scallops underneath.

True to its promise of serving heftier main courses, aside from the Mami-inspired noodles, the new menu also offers Iberico Pork, Wagyu Carpaccio, and Fish Moqueca.

Four main courses later, you will be then served another meal inspired by the Filipino tradition of food sharing. Dubbed as Taco, the surprise dish will differ from one's visit to another.

During this writer's visit, we got the restaurant's take on Bacolod Chicken Inasal wrapped in a banana leaf and served with different types of soft tacos.

For dessert, Alegria's new tasting menu offers chocolate garnished with caramel, vanilla, and dehydrated pineapple with a fiery presentation of burning parchment paper on top of the dessert.

Another sweet serving follows the chocolate: a panna cotta-inspired strawberry and basil topped with milk tea.

Alegria Manila offers its diners a full-course menu comprising 14 dishes for PHP4,950 or a seven-course menu for PhP3,600, excluding taxes. Each tasting menu includes an optional cocktail and wine pairing at an additional cost.

Alegria Manila is located on the ground floor of Uptown Parade.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News