In Sync With All The Right Beats, Notes And Flavors At Got Soul MNL

Imagine a sanctuary-like space where cool tunes and flavorful notes come together in a seamless weave in perfect rhythm with the same beat for a sensory experience. Think Hi-Fi analog audio elegantly humming on a vintage Altec Lansing A5 loudspeaker and a curated menu by one of the metro's finest chefs in one place. Pull out your favorite vinyl, and come hungry...

Chef Chele Gonzalez and Manolet Dario team up along with other partners for one of the metro's newest and coolest concepts, a high-fidelity listening bar dishing out sumptuous tapas paired with soothing cocktails for a refreshing break from the usual. In fact, this is exactly the kind of space where you'll find Chef Chele Gonzalez for that late night chill session after long hours in one of his many kitchens as Manolet Dario spins a few tunes on the turntable. Step inside Got Soul MNL and enjoy the vibe. And stay for the sumptuous flavors and soothing libations...

The shared obsession with music ties everything neatly together at the hippest spot along Forbestown Road in Bonifacio Global City. This same passion with music is also in sync with the kitchen's equally intense performance matching all the high notes with creative expressions of vibrant flavors. But this isn't the only thing that sets Got Soul MNL apart from the usual bar...

At Got Soul MNL, featured DJs along with guest "selectors" take over the booth and play their prized vinyls in a free-flowing format. No rules, just good vibes and even better beats. For people obsessed with music, this can be a liberating experience. In fact, think of Got Soul MNL as your own space with all the freedom and purposeful intention to enjoy your music. A personal listening space or community space, that's what Got Soul MNL is all about. 

The space itself is designed, engineered and built around the "brilliance of sound" where every track comes to life as it should be. And no, there isn't a single musical genre that defines the space. Instead, guest "selectors" are free to express their passion without being limited to a single genre. This attitude becomes the rule resulting in memorable and uniquely different stories experienced every evening expressed through music at Got Soul MNL. 

In step with the music, Got Soul MNL's kitchen spins its own flavorful symphony of exquisite hi-fi flavors curated by the culinary team of Chefs Chele Gonzalez and Carlos Villaflor. But first...

...some proper libations to get you in the right groove. I was in the mood for some classic G&Ts, and Got Soul MNL brings its unrestrained creativity into play with a trio of refreshing handcrafted blends like the Mediterráneo (P 380), a refreshingly crisp concoction with gin, white vermouth and Mediterranean tonic with subtle salty hints recreating the melodious harmony between sea and sun. Light and smooth, you might want to order up a second round...

Then, Chef Chele Gonzalez teased the palate with the opening act to complement the rhythmic beats from the massive vintage Altec Lansing A5 with the aptly named Jamon Explosion (P 290) featuring a panipuri-like puffed bread filled with creamy and silky smooth Manchego mousse and topped with jamon. Per Chef Chele Gonzalez, this intricate creation is best enjoyed in two bites. I did it in just one. That light crunch from from the puffed bread releases the Manchego mousse, draping the palate with a lingering richness capped by the savory salty hints of the jamon. Off the bat, you just know you won't experience one-hit wonders in this listening space as the kitchen of Got Soul MNL served yet another flavorful number...

...with the Humba Bomba (P 300), a savory fritter filled with pork humba and topped with generous dab of miso mayo. I'm always fascinated with how local flavors are expressed and even reinterpreted from a foreigner's perspective. But Chef Chele Gonzalez is practically a Filipino in more ways than you think effortlessly incorporating the local pork staple in a croquette. And it just works. 

That lightly crisp outer texture is followed by the savory richness of the boldly flavored pork humba with its lingering sweetness. The miso mayo closes the loop of flavors in another creative play on flavors. Just like the distinct personality of Got Soul MNL, the food follows the same unrestrained and relaxed free-flowing mood of creative expression unhindered by rules. 

The delicate herbal notes of Soul (P 350) with Bombay Sapphire, yuzu and bignay or Chinese laurel berries eases you back after another sip for one more liberating immersion into Got Soul MNL's flow, just in time too for the next flavorful tracks in the culinary playlist of Chef Chele Gonzalez... 

...with the savory and creamy Shrimp Bikini (P 380), delectably crisp bite-sized sandwiches filled with succulent shrimps and cilantro mayo for a masterful play on contrasting textures with every bite. 

That first bite teases the palate announced by a light crispness followed by the bold briny sweetness of fresh shrimps smoothened by the cilantro mayo for that perfect finish. The flavors are rich yet clean, and another tasty bite is soon on its way. 

The kitchen's playlist unravels with another exquisite number with the Tuna Tataki Kinilaw (P 490) with lime, cilantro and pickles. The flavors of the tuna comes through, enhanced by the other equally stellar cast of ingredients building complex layers of flavors and textures. 

A deceptively simple dish like this demands the freshest of ingredients, and Got Soul MNL's kitchen nails it. And don't forget to grab your spoon to enjoy the creamy broth. 

The weave of comfortingly familiar local flavors in Got Soul MNL's menu is no longer just another unexpected and pleasant twist but something you eagerly anticipate in many of the dishes. Like the Sisig Pasta (P 390) with crunchy chicharon, calamansi and lusciously creamy Alfredo sauce. 

The dish brings multiple layers of savory richness in a hearty yet balanced play on flavors for a comforting meal. And comfort food without any rules is what you'll find at Got Soul MNL. 

Chef Chele Gonzalez then presented the traditional Spanish classic, the Pulpo A La Plancha (P 990) with potato espuma, lemon aioli and togarashi continuing the session with comforting notes. 

Plated perfection, the dish reflects timeless Spanish flavors with a modern and contemporary style consistent with the culinary expressions of Chef Chele Gonzalez. From the tender and succulent pulpo to the lusciously smooth espuma and aioli kicked up by the bold hints of togarashi and just a whisper of smoky hints from the grill, Chef Chele Gonzalez spins his weave of flavors like a DJ in the zone (yup, Chef Chele is also a passionate DJ who knows his beats just like the way he tunes an extensive array of flavorful notes in his many kitchens).  

Leave it to Chef Chele Gonzalez to elevate the popular and ubiquitous "bistek" to a whole new level of pure savory indulgence with his own inspired rendition, the Wagyu Bistek (P 2,400) with charred onions and paired with garlic rice. The first bite drapes the palate with comfortingly familiar flavors for a pleasantly nostalgic experience before the deep and bold beefy richness of the Wagyu beef hits. 

Imagine the near buttery richness of premium Wagyu beef perfectly tempered by the subtle salty notes of the bistek sauce and the bite of the charred onions. Paired with garlic rice, the comforting combo becomes a serious meal at Got Soul MNL. Other must-try dishes include the Iberico Steak Bicol Express (P 850) and Churrasco con Chimichurri (P 1,750). 

Of course, you can expect some paella from Chef Chele Gonzalez at Got Soul MNL, both traditional and inventive expressions like the Cebu Lechon Paella (P 450 Solo/P 1,200 Sharing). The novel variation features slabs of roasted pork and aioli on soft, moist rice with lightly crisp socarrat on the bottom. Different yet familiar, the Cebu Lechon Paella hits all the right flavorful notes in sync with Got Soul MNL's character. You may also want to try the Chicken Inasal Paella (P 390 Solo/P 990 Sharing) and the Paella Negra de Marisco (P 550 Solo/P 1,500 Sharing).

Cap your evening at Got Soul MNL with the OPM (P 350), a fresh and citrusy blend with Bombay Sapphire, calamansi cordial and tonic with its bright tropical finish. 

This may be the most personal space serving the culinary creations of Chef Chele Gonzalez yet, threaded by his passion for both rich flavors and the depth and clarity of vinyl and analog audio in one space. Laid back and informal, Got Soul MNL reflects the distinct personalities of both Chef Chele Gonzalez and Manolet Dario coming together in the metro's newest hotspot. More than just a space, it's that mood and vibe, that fleeting feeling you get when what you enjoy comes to life. Step inside and experience that "brilliance in sound" along with other audiophiles and better yet, stay for the food and libations. After all, this is your new personal listening space. And whisper mode begins at 5:00 pm daily...

Got Soul MNL is located at FWH Unit 125, Forbestown Road, Taguig City, Bonifacio Global City. You can also view their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/p/GotSoul-MNL and https://www.instagram.com/gotsoulmnl/ for more information and updates. 

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