Renowned Chef Chele Gonzalez opened a new epicurean hot spot in Manila—Cantabria. Named after his hometown in the northern coast of Spain, this fine casual restaurant offers an a la carte menu of specialty seafood, tapas, meats, and traditional Spanish favorites.

Located on the roof level of The Westin Manila in Ortigas Center, Cantabria is the only Spanish restaurant of Chef Chele Gonzalez in Metro Manila. Chef de Cuisine Ivan Saiz Sordo takes the helm in the kitchen, overseeing the execution of Chef Gonzalez’s dishes.

“Spanish cuisine continues to evolve over time, and so do tradition and techniques. Cantabria presents a unique side of Spanish cuisine and raises the bar by showcasing a blend of tradition and trends through a flavorful journey,” Chef Chele said. “We take on a creative and sophisticated approach to seafood, and showcase a unique side of Spanish cuisine unknown to most, together with innovative tapas, meats, and other Spanish favorites,” he added. “We also serve rustic and traditional Spanish comforts from steaks to paellas, sangria, vino, and more.”

I was invited to sample 12 of the items from their menu, ranging from traditional Spanish comforts to innovative tapas, each paired with either red wine, white, or champagne. That night of drinking and dining made a great escape from Metro Manila’s notorious traffic jam happening just outside the hotel.

We started with sea produce:

Followed by tapas:

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And then the main dishes:

And of course, I always save room for dessert:

Don’t be intimated, if, like me, your only experience of Spanish cuisine is through the paella-centric Spanish restaurants and buffets in Manila. In my case, allow me to add a short visit to Madrid and Barcelona back in 2018 as part of my authentic Spanish cuisine CV. And after giving up pescetarianism last year, I’ve started expanding my palate.

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A visit to Chef Chele Gonzalez’s new spot will transport you to Spain’s Cantabria region, where the he spent many a childhood summer and where his culinary journey began. Instead of the usual fine dining set menus where the dishes are pre-selected for you, Cantabria lets you mix and match from a bigger menu.

As Filipinos, we tend to go for the familiar choices of paella and gambas al ajillo, but when you book a table at Cantabria, I dare you to go out of your comfort zone.

Cantabria by Chef Chele Gonzalez is open from Tuesdays to Sundays and is located at The Westin Manila, San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Philippines. For more info, follow Cantabria by Chef Chele Gonzalez on Facebook and Instagram for more info.