Chef Patrick Go Spins Local and Asian Flavors at the Your Local Pop-Up in The Balmori Suites

Chef Patrick Go shares a new repertoire of local and Asian inspired flavors for a limited time. Step inside the Your Local pop-up at The Balmori Suites...

Modern, innovative, progressive and inventive, Chef Patrick Go shares his own personal take on comfortingly familiar local and Asian flavors at the Your Local pop-up in The Balmori Suites of Rockwell until November 27. Here's a virtual taste of Your Local at The Balmori Suites pop-up...

Known for his unique play on Asian fusion cuisine, Chef Patrick Go brings the flavorful and colorful palette of Your Local adding its own creative weave to the Rockwell neighborhood's culinary scene at the limited run pop-up from October 27 to November 26. Lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, let Chef Patrick Go take you to his world of vibrant flavors with an all-new repertoire of dishes plus a few familiar favorites from Your Local...

...at the elegant space of The Balmori Suites in Rockwell. The luxurious setting is the perfect stage for Chef Patrick Go and Your Local's brand of elevated yet comforting Asian cuisine. 

At the kitchen, Chef Patrick's team prepared for the day's lunch service... 

...as the first batch of orders were expedited and served. The Balmori Suites in Rockwell has been home to a number of memorable pop-ups, and Chef Patrick Go of Your Local stamps his own culinary style in the prestigious property. 

But first, some libation. The Basi Old-Fashioned (P 480) with Luisita Oro Rum, basi or fermented sugarcane wine from Ilocos, brown sugar, pandan and vanilla soothes the palate with its deep and elegantly smooth finish. At the Your Local pop-up in The Balmori Suites, you'll find some playfully inventive cocktail creations infused with distinctive local hints like the Panulak (P 480) with tuba or fermented coconut palm sap, watermelon juice and tequila; the Panapos (P 480) with gin, bugnay foam, Cascara Tea and lemon, the Ukiyo (P 480) with gin, lychee, rosewater, calamansi and langka and the Tinker (P 480) with its vodka and Earl Grey blend. 

Chef Patrick then served a trio of Small Plates starting with the Pride Chicken (P 450), a street style spin on crisp and juicy chicken with a unique yellow curry sauce and banana langka ketchup. Each bite brings a delectable play of textural contrasts and a sweet and savory blend of flavors teasing the palate for one more bite. 

The Chili Crab Somen (P 470) with succulent lumps of local blue crab on cold noodles drizzled with Toyo Mansi Dashi and sweet chili is a refreshing starter with its uncluttered, clean and vibrant notes finished with the subtle briny sweetness of the crab and just a whisper of soothing heat from the chilies. This one's high on my list of personal picks. 

The Tinapa on Crisp (P 350) with silky smooth smoked milkfish mousse and roasted pineapple on crisp Papadum chips is another must-try starter at the Your Local pop-up with the familiar notes of tinapa recreated in a novel and innovative form. 

In between bites, enjoy refreshing sips of the Spanish Latte (P 170/P 190) with the bold notes of coffee perfectly tempered by the sweetness of condensed milk. 

For the Main Plates, Chef Patrick presented his elegant Roasted Halibut (P 800) with burnt kalabasa, bonito X.O. sauce, coconut water and cauliflower. The buttery finish of the halibut with its delicate and even nuanced flavors are complemented by the smoky sweetness of the burnt kalabasa and coconut water while the upfront notes of the bonito X.O. sauce brings a flavorful and contrasting depth. 

But the next dish clearly reflected Chef Patrick's culinary flair and style...

The seamless blend of local and Japanese flavors are masterfully woven in the savory Pork Kare-Curry (P 750) with tender slabs of roasted pork slathered in a thick and rich peanut sauce, Japanese curry and bagoong slaw. The fork-tender pork may be the obvious star of the dish but it's the peanut sauce and Japanese curry that really steals the show for me. The blend of flavors just works, perfectly complementing the savory pork for layer upon layer of savory richness. The bagoong slaw cuts through the richness for that balanced finish. 

The Beef Lechon Donburi (P 1,490) with buttery and tender beef short ribs on soft truffle rice topped with corn and shiitake drizzled with a sharp black vinegar glaze is my top pick at the Your Local pop-up. The harmonious medley of flavors from the tender beef to the fluffy truffle infused rice, sweet corn, shiitake and black vinegar combine for indulgent savory bursts of bold flavors. Chef Patrick orchestrates a dish with seemingly unrestrained richness, yet everything comes together in a refined balance with each component complementing the other. 

Did you say extra rice? Knock yourself out with Chef Patrick's trio of Alamang Fried Rice (P 160) with briny baby shrimps, garlic confit and lemongrass atsuete...

...the savory Asado Rice (P 160) with pulled roast pork, sweet soy and scallions...

...and the Roasted Corn Black Rice (P 150) with corn and shiitake mushrooms. 

Still hungry? The popular menu item from Your Local's roster of bestsellers does the trick. The Chili Crab Bun (P 295) with succulent Singaporean chili crab, fresh cucumber and herbs on a fried mantou bun hits all the right notes. 

For dessert, Chef Patrick served his decadent Mais Con Tres Leches (P 400) with moist and sweet Tres Leches Cake with crunchy cereal topped with corn foam, salt and butterscotch...

...the Choco na Gatas (P 450) with toasted milk ice cream, dark chocolate and sweet and crisp banana chips...

...and the Avocado Tart (P 450) with luscious avocado mousse, Grana Padano cheese and milk crumbs on a cashew crust for delectable trifecta of sweet endings. 

Catch the last few days of the Your Local pop-up at The Balmori Suites, and experience familiar local and Asian flavors in a refreshingly new interpretation by Chef Patrick Go at The Balmori Suites. To book your table, simply call the number listed below and you're on your way to a memorable dining experience with a unique pop-up at Rockwell...

The Your Local Pop-Up is located at the Ground Floor of The Balmori Suites, Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati. Call 0977 487 9236 for table reservations or visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/Yourlocalph/ for updates.

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