Eat your way through the Philippine islands with the metro’s newest culinary destination
A collaboration between the award-winning chef Margarita Fores and DoubleDragon Group, Islas Pinas is an indoor dining hub that showcases the best of Filipino food and heritage. Designed to highlight the vibrancy of Filipino culture, this new establishment lets guests discover, explore, and experience the Philippines’s heritage sites, natural resources, hospitality and most importantly, its cuisine.
“This is an absolute dream project for me that has come at such a perfect time,” says Forés. “I give my thanks to then Undersecretary of Agriculture, now Secretary of Tourism Berna R. Puyat, for putting me together with the DoubleDragon group, who was looking for someone to operate this amazing Islas Pinas project about half a year ago. This fast-tracked such a blessed opportunity to continue pushing my biggest advocacy – that of helping to promote the best our country – our cuisine, ingredients, farers, artisan producers and home cooks from Batanes to Jolo – in the best way I can!”
The LRT station-inspired entrance leads to an expansive 2,500-square-metre space that features not only diverse regional fare but also the archipelago’s beautiful sites like the Chocolate Hills, Banawe Rice Terraces, and Calle Crisologo in Ilocos. There is also the iconic Sarao Jeepney displayed prominently inside the food village.
Stations include Sinag, which offers all-day Filipino breakfast favourites like our TapSiLog (tapa – salted beef, sInangag – fried rice and itlog– fried egg) and batchoy, an Ilonggo noodle soup with pork offal, crushed pork cracklings and beef loin; Alamat (legend), which tells the story of the different regions of the Philippines through its signature dishes. Bilao where comfort snacks like pansit (fried noodles) and puto (rice cakes) are usually served; Panaderya, which offers neighbourhood bakery treats such as pan de sal and kalihim; Tusok-Tusok where you can get your dose of urban street food like barbecue on stick, isaw (grilled chicken intestine) and kwek-kwek (fried quail eggs); Panulak (beverage) that serves the samalamig (cold drinks with different flavours); and Pampang (shore) or the fresh seafood haven.
“We believe Islas Pinas will be a landmark in the country, and will showcase the diversity not only of our cuisine and handicrafts but also our landscape and architecture brought about by the rich heritage and culture of the country,” says DoubleDragon’s Chief Investment Officer Hannah Yulo.
Aside from the culinary delights and a picturesque interior design worthy of Instagram posts, the venue also features modern and traditional cultural performances and games to ensure a fun and truly Filipino ambiance.
Islas Pinas is the main anchor of DoubleDragon Plaza, which forms part of the 4.8 Hectare DD Meridian Park commercial and office complex.
