The Great Eatscape at SM Aura Premier: A Taste of Nostalgia at XO 46 Heritage Bistro

Fiery coconut-based dishes from the Bicolandias layered with a soothing heat, the earthy and bold flavors from the Ilocos region, and traditional Hispanic-inspired cuisine from the plains of central Luzon...the best of the Philippines' culinary heritage, recreated at XO 46 Heritage Bistro.

The second stop in The Great Eatscape at SM Aura Premier, familiar and traditional local cuisine take the spotlight at XO 46 Heritage Bistro, transporting you back in time on a nostalgic gastronomic journey of the country's rich and multi-cultural culinary heritage. The distinct flavors from the north and south, the full range and diversity of local cuisine, are served daily...at XO 46 Heritage Bistro.

Located at Level 3 in SM Aura Premier's Atrium, XO 46 Heritage Bistro brings back time-honored and cherished family recipes prepared the old-fashioned way, long, slow and tedious, for rich flavors. Inside, dark wooden tones accentuated by capiz-framed panels exude a warm traditional vibe, and the local feast of flavors began...

At XO 46 Heritage Bistro, the finest local ingredients are at the heart of each and every dish in its purest form, prepared slow and deliberate, for a comforting richness just the way it was way back then. One feels almost transported back to a time when local, regional flavors were pure and honest. And as the first dish arrived, the timeless nostalgic vibe is complete...

The distinct local and familiar tart notes of santol are highlighted in XO 46 Heritage Bistro's Guinataang Santol, or Sinantolan (P 275), a creamy dish made with fresh santol fruit thickened with coconut milk and chili topped with crispy deep-fried shrimps. The complex blend of flavors, from sweet, tart, and spicy, weave in and out in a delicate balance, without overpowering the other. The crispy shimps complete the dish, with its clean notes and briny sweetness. Perfect with steamed white rice.

The country's bountiful marine resources are reflected in the next dish, the Sugpo sa Aligue (P 485), plump prawns delicately simmered in rich crab fat. The contrasting simplicity and indulgence of the dish makes this one of the bestsellers at XO 46 Heritage Bistro. The prawns are easily peeled, delivering a fresh snap with every bite, completed by the decadent flavors of the crab fat. This one's a personal favorite.

Drawing inspiration from Hispanic influences, XO 46 Heritage Bistro's Bangus Salpicao (P 420) is an homage to Spanish cuisine with a unique local spin. Tender milkfish cooked in olive oil and chili combine for fresh and light flavors, with the delicate notes of the fish complemented by the nutty olive oil kicked up by the sharpness of the chili.

XO 46 Heritage Bistro also offers a wide variety of regional noodle dishes, like the Pancit Pusit ng Cavite (P 265), soft yet firm and chewy noodles cooked in squid ink topped with shrimps, vegetables and crunchy garlic. The squid ink not only gives the dish its distinctive color, but unique flavors as well.

The familiar Binagoongan, juicy pork cooked in shrimp paste, is reinvented at XO 46 Heritage Bistro with the Crispy Binagoongan (P 385), deep-fried pork draped with the sharp notes of the bagoong, chili and onions laid on roasted eggplant. The savory richness of the crispy pork are perfectly tempered by the salty flavors of the shrimp paste, with the roasted eggplant absorbing the flavors to complete the dish.

Long known as the country's premier beef region, Batangas beef is the featured main ingredient in XO 46 Heritage Bistro's Adobong Batangas sa Atsuete (P 575), with fork-tender beef simmered in annatto. The robust beefy notes come through, as the annatto sauce coats your palate with a savory richness lingering long after the first bite. It's another regional variation of the iconic adobo, and yet another taste of the country's diverse culinary heritage.

Pair your mains with XO 46 Heritage Bistro's Vegetarian Mountain Fried Rice (P 280), with the mild sweetness of assorted vegetables playing well with the nutty notes of the heirloom rice to complete your feast of local flavors.

Time stops at XO 46 Heritage Bistro, preserving the country's rich culinary heritage with timeless classics and local favorites, each prepared in the traditional manner. Experience a culinary journey back in time as you savor the nostalgic flavors of heirloom dishes...at XO 46 Heritage Bistro.

XO 46 Heritage Bistro is located at the Upper Level, Atrium, SM Aura Premier, C5 corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City or call (02) 246-9069 extension 665 for more information and inquiries.

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