Meet Me at Podium Social for Coffee, Cocktails and Beer to Sumptuous Cuisine...

One floor with five exciting restaurants is bringing a new, refreshing and cool kind of energy to redefine the mall scene in Ortigas. The top of The Podium is transformed to become the next dining destination with its curated array of offerings all in one place. Welcome to Podium Social...

The Podium unveils its bold and innovative concept with Podium Social, a culinary hub that's bound to reshape the mall and dining landscape in the vibrant and ever changing commercial and business district. With a distinct vibe that sets it apart from the usual, this new hotspot is a much needed shot revitalizing the mall's evolving culinary character. And it's happening. Read on and head up to Podium Social...

Dining in the mall is nothing new. In fact, it's part of the regular mall-centric routine for many of us. But The Podium elevates the experience with their newest concept located high up at Level 6 with the new Podium Social. Inside, the wide open space already sets the tone for your dining experience. Bistro Aurora, H Proper Coffee Roasters, Lazy Suzy, Osteria Antica and Brotzeit offer five different and unique dining options from coffee, cocktails and beer to comforting global cuisine all in one elegant space. More than just a collection of restaurants, Podium Social takes the mall dining experience to a whole new level of sophistication and style. Located high up at The Podium, you can also enjoy stunning views of the Ortigas cityscape from the al fresco areas. Now, let's start the food crawl...

Bistro Aurora

First stop, Bistro Aurora. Vibrant Asian flavors are highlighted at the newest, more casual concept of the flagship Restaurant Aurora in Makati. At the launch, guests were welcomed with a refreshing trio of shots...

...led by the refreshingly tart and sweet Strawberry Fizz, Oolong High with its deep soothing notes and the creatively inventive Kaya Toast made with a blend of coconut and rum to open up the palate and get you in that groove for the Podium Social vibe. 

A plate featuring sampler portions of Bistro Aurora's culinary offerings teases the palate with its tempting array of tasty bites of Salmon Avocado Toast, Tamarind Glazed Pork Skewers, Seafood Nori Roll and Chicken Poppers with Sambal Cream Cheese. The rich and diverse tapestry of Asian flavors becomes the inspired palette of colorful flavors at Bistro Aurora, reimagined in their extensive menu. 

One more shot of Kaya Toast? Absolutely. There's a whole lot more to discover at Bistro Aurora, and this is just a taste of the culinary possibilities at Podium Social. 

H Proper Coffee Roasters

From Makati to Ortigas, H Proper Coffee Roasters brings its brand of masterful brewing artistry to Podium Social (for more on H Proper Coffee Roasters, see my previous posts For The Proper Love Of Coffee: From CDO to Manila, H Proper Coffee Roasters Brings World Class Coffee To Ayala Triangle Gardens on the launch from the middle of last year, A Proper Sunday Roast Served Everyday at H Proper Coffee Roasters from late last year and Soothing Cocktails All-Day Long At H Proper Coffee Roasters in Ayala Triangle Gardens also from late last year). The extensive menu features an extensive selection of comforting cuisine anchored by their signature coffee. 

The best way to get acquainted with the signature brews of H Proper Coffee Roasters is with a shot of their Cold Black Brew with its bold, robust yet subtle nutty hints and the Cold White Brew with its creamy finish and flavorful depth. If tea is more your jam, then the Passionfruit Nitro Iced Tea is an excellent pick. H Proper Coffee Roasters' impressive arsenal of premium coffee is sourced from around the world including Colombia, Ethiopia and Brazil. 

At the exclusive preview, H Proper Coffee Roasters presented their lavish selection of savory offerings...

...with the H Proper Bistro Sliders, Dragon Fruit & Malasugue Ceviche Bites, Sweet Potato Fries and Croquetas Fundidas to pair with your coffee. It's this blend of casual, uncomplicated and comforting cuisine and specialty coffee options that makes H Proper Coffee Roasters a good spot any time of day at Podium Social. 

Lazy Suzy

Third stop, the soon-to-open Lazy Suzy by Chef Pat Go. Known for his creative mastery and flair for Asian flavors, Lazy Suzy highlights East Asian cuisine for his newest concept (for more on Chef Pat Go, see my post Chef Patrick Go Spins Local and Asian Flavors at the Your Local Pop-Up in The Balmori Suites from two years back).

Start your flavorful experience with Asian flavors at Lazy Suzy with the refreshing Golden Gai, a smooth blend with gin, yuzu and ginger beer. 

Then, pick a bowl for a taste of East Asia creatively executed by Chef Pat Go and his team at Lazy Suzy...

...like the Sichuan Sesame Soba with Sichuan dashi, sweet soy, ebiko and burnt sesame on cold soba noodles and the Saamjang Tuna with fresh yellowfin tuna tartare, Saamjang chimichurri, pomelo and crisp fried seaweed. The flavors are fresh and clean, bold and unrestrained in that elegant style of Chef Pat Go. Exciting things are happening here at Podium Social. 

Osteria Antica

From the Wildflour Group, Osteria Antica offers its elevated take on traditional Italian cuisine with its seasonal menu made with premium quality ingredients. Pizza and pasta? Let Osteria Antica show you how it's done the traditional way starting with the pizza duo of Sausage and the Margherita. Finished in a wood-fired brick oven for that crisp charred blistered crust and subtle smoky hints, Osteria Antica brings both elegance and a rustic warmth with their culinary expressions. From that first bite, you just know this is legit from the premium ingredients down to the crust. The fresh, sharp tart notes of the San Marzano tomatoes and fresh basil with the creamy hints of buffalo Mozzarella of the Margherita is as classic as it gets while the savory richness of the Sausage with red onions, Tuscan kale and fennel on creamy Bechamel will have you going for another slice. 

The Agnolotti Pasta sampler with fresh handmade pasta and creamy filling offered a taste of Osteria Antica's approach to Italian cuisine driven by premium ingredients, exquisite execution and authenticity. With Chef Carlo Miguel at the helm of Osteria Antica, expect nothing less than a memorable dining experience in true Italian style. 

Brotzeit

Anyone who knows good beer and good times knows Brotzeit. And you'll find the enduring Bavarian beer bar and restaurant right here at Podium Social. Recently relocated, Brotzeit brings back the good times to the Ortigas commercial and business district at its new and elegant home. Raise a toast and celebrate the return of a bigger and better Brotzeit at Podium Social (for more on Brotzeit, see my posts Prost! Raise A Toast to the New Home of Brotzeit at The Podium on the formal opening from May this year and The Lunch Situation, Simplified: Introducing The New Lunch Menu at Brotzeit on their extensive menu and new offerings from early this year). 

Boasting of a wide selection of authentic Bavarian beer fresh off the tap, Brotzeit also offers a tempting medley of Bavarian staples to complete your experience. From sausages, pretzels, crispy pork knuckles or schweinshaxn, sandwiches, rosti and more, enjoy a full plate and never empty glass at Brotzeit. Pass me another plate of Gemischte Bruschetta topped with cold cuts and cheese, please.  

And these sausages with a dab of mustard are perfectly washed down by an ice-cold brew at Brotzeit. For over 12 years, the Brotzeit brand of good times remains as strong as ever felt the moment you enjoy that first sip and bite. 

Paulaner Münchner Hell, Weihenstephaner Original Helles or Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel and more, you can indulge and experience the very best from Bavaria's renowned breweries all in one place at the top of The Podium in Podium Social. And with stunning views of the ortigas cityscape, there's just nothing like an ice-cold brew at magic hour. 

Meanwhile, enjoy another plate of savory bites...

...and another round of Bavaria's best at Brotzeit for another toast. And say it right. Prost!

The concentration of malls in the Ortigas CBD and nearby areas necessitates the need for relevant differentiation to cut through the competitive clutter. The Podium sets the bar with Podium Social. Bistro Aurora, H Proper Coffee Roasters, Lazy Suzy, Osteria Antica and Brotzeit, meet me at Podium Social for coffee, cocktails, beer and sumptuous cuisine...

Podium Social is located at Level 6, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/thepodiummall/ and https://www.instagram.com/thepodiummall/ for more information and updates.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, check out these social media accounts for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.