Afternoons with refreshing gin and tonics followed by an evening of soothing Prosecco, that's the way you end the day. And there's no better place than Discovery Primea to celebrate the day's end...
The Gin Library at The Gilarmi Lounge and Prosecco Bar at EDGE are all you need to know when you want to end the day on a high note. And you'll find both at Discovery Primea (for more on Discovery Primea, see my previous post, Rediscovering the Weekend Vibe at Discovery Primea).
Named after the historic and very first serviced apartments in Asia which originally stood where the hotel now rises, The Gilarmi Lounge of Discovery Primea is the perfect spot for an afternoon tipple with its dramatic floor to ceiling glass walls letting in natural light with a view of the busy cityscape. The Gilarmi Lounge is also known for its impressive gin inventory at The Gin Library...
...with its extensive selection of more than 60 gin labels from around the world and at least 40 on the shelves at any given time. It's simply the best and and most extensive curated gin list in the metro for that perfect gin and tonic. From the classic Tanqueray 10 to obscure small batch labels like Lakes Gin, there's so much to discover at The Gilarmi Lounge. Where to start? Just leave it to Albert of The Gilarmi Lounge to personally curate your gin experience.
Throughout The Gilarmi Lounge, you'll find a variety of gin labels from around the world, some familiar and many new ones, tempting choices to kick off your own personal journey of discovery in the world of gin (for more on Discovery Primea's extensive gin collection, see my earlier post, Gin Is In: Discovery Primea Celebrates World Gin Day at Gilarmi Lounge).
Albert of The Gilarmi Lounge starts my curated gin experience with the Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin, a bespoke handcrafted gin with Sevilla blood oranges mixed with Lamb & Watt Tonic Water garnished with oranges and cinnamon.
Smooth and crisp with refreshing hints of tart, citrusy orange flavors capped by the lingering notes of cinnamon, this G & T is the perfect start to your gin experience at The Gilarmi Lounge.
After a few rounds of refreshing G & T's, why not enjoy some of The Gilarmi Lounge's signature dishes? From soups to salads, pasta and sandwiches, burgers and pica-pica, The Gilarmi Lounge's equally impressive offerings make it the ideal spot to unwind with a few drinks. And some tasty bites, fresh from the brick ovens...
The variety of savory flavors range from the vibrant notes of the Fennel & Sardines (P 420) with Spanish sardines, olives, capers and shaved fennel on a rustic crust with its charred blisters...
...the Gilarmi (P 480) with garlic longganisa, salted egg, red onions and chili flakes, savory notes infused with comfortingly familiar local flavors...
...the Quattro Formaggi (P 580) topped with crema, blue cheese, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Davao Ricotta...
...and the Salumi (P 590) with Guanciale, Fennel Sausage, bacon, Salsiccia Piccante, tomatoes and mozzarella, each one a tasty option paired with your customized G & T.
The fresh and clean notes of gin makes it the perfect palate cleanser for The Gilarmi Lounge's savory offerings. Meanwhile, Albert is behind the bar preparing my next G & T...
This time, Albert brings in a familiar label with the Edinburgh Seaside Gin mixed with Lamb & Watt Basil Tonic Water garnished with rosemary and lime. Distilled by the sea, the subtle saline and briny notes come through with every sip, punctuated by various marine botanicals. The sharp notes opens up the palate, intensifying even more with the next sip.
A few rounds gets you in a chill vibe, and you don't notice the usual traffic along Ayala Avenue even as the reigning Miss Universe makes her way through the massive crowds. At The Gilarmi Lounge, you raise a glass high up in a celebratory toast. It's all good vibes here at The Gilarmi Lounge.
My curated experience continues with the distinct red hues of the Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin garnished with Granny Smith apples offering deep, sweet and refreshingly tart notes...
...while the Koval Barrel-Aged Gin with orange and cinnamon capped my gin experience at The Gilarmi Lounge with its bold yet rounded finish. Now it's your turn. You too can enjoy a curated gin experience at The Gilarmi Lounge with free-flowing G & T's from The Gin Library from Mondays to Fridays, 5 to 9pm, starting at P 800 for premium labels and P 1,300 for deluxe labels. Free-flowing G & T's with a wide range of tonics, garnishes and bitters, have your customized G & T with your favorite labels or why not be adventurous and discover new ones? Guests availing of The Gin Library are also entitled to a 30% discount on select pizzas, limited to a maximum of 2 per person.
After 9pm, head on up to EDGE at the 16th Floor and create your own Prosseco cocktail with Bottega Prosecco as your sparkling base wine with your choice of fruit puree for only P 1,500++. From Soursop, Dalandan, Calamansi and Strawberry to Peach, Mango and Passion Fruit Puree, the Prosecco Bar at EDGE offers both variety and a unique customizable bespoke experience. You can also try the signature Prosecco cocktails by EDGE like the Prosecco Joy & Luck with Absolut Citron, Bottega Prosecco, orange marmalade, lemon juice and thyme or the EDGE's Mimosa with Bottega Prosecco, Absolut Kurant, watermelon juice and mint leaves for only P 450++ each. It's a sweet night cap to end the day right at Discovery Primea.
But master mixologist Martin Protacio had another treat for us that evening at EDGE, serving his official entry to the 2019 Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition...
Inspired by the love and admiration for his grandfather, Martin Protacio's La Generacion is a soothing homage to the patriarch. Blended with Bacardi Gold, Rinomato Apperativo, fresh lemon juice, orgeat syrup and foamy egg white, the La Generacion is both sweet and tart recreating the legacy of Martin Protacio's grandfather.
And Martin is all worked up with his cocktail creation, and why not? One more round? Absolutely.
A toast set against the dramatic views of the city's nightscape, it just doesn't get better than that. Pair your cocktails with even more tasty bites...
...from light yet flavorful seafood dishes...
...to one of my all-time favorites at Discovery Primea. The Wagyu Cubes, with fork-tender beef served in a glass bowl, always completes any evening at Discovery Primea.
Presentation and flavor come together perfectly with this dish, and it's been on my list ever since I first tried it years ago.
But there's more. From Salmon Nigiri offering both contrasting textures and subtle flavors...
...to comfort food on a stick with the Chicken and Pancake, Edge has the perfect bar chow to pair with your cocktail.
The day may have been long, but the calming night more than makes up for it. One for the road to celebrate the brilliant end of another day, always at Discovery Primea.
The Gilarmi Lounge and EDGE are located at the lobby level and 16th Floor respectively of Discovery Primea, 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City or call +632 955-8888 for inquiries and reservations.
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Thank you sir...
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