Culinary Traditions And Fond Memories Of Home, Plated And Served By Luis Martinez At La Taperia Martinez In BGC

Small plates of savory nibbles associated with Spanish tapas paired with an extensive wine selection and soothing cocktails are the main draw at the hottest new dining destination in Bonifacio Global City. But this isn't your usual tapas bar. Fresh from the kitchen, the traditional small plates are upgraded and beefed up for a sumptuous meal in itself. The newest concept by Luis Martinez and the Nikkei Restaurant Group, each not so small plate becomes a full and hearty meal to be celebrated with wine and cocktails for that perfect Spanish afternoon or early sundown feast extending late into the evening. Experience Spain's vibrant and enduring tapas culture with heftier renditions of small plates at La Taperia Martinez...

Each tasty bite releases comfortingly familiar notes, faithfully recreated from fond childhood memories by Luis Martinez with each course at La Taperia Martinez. Food is memory, intricately brought to life and served on a plate transporting you back to a different place and time. Anchored on tradition, the menu at La Taperia Martinez mirrors the flavors of home for Luis Martinez which include dishes his grandmother used to prepare. Step inside for a satisfying meal, and maybe stay awhile for some refreshing libations and experience the flavors from the home of Luis Martinez at La Taperia Martinez in Bonifacio Global City. 

Each new restaurant reflects a chapter in the continuing and evolving culinary journey of Luis Martinez while also presenting the growing repertoire of dining concepts under the Nikkei Restaurant Group. And La Taperia Martinez brings a refreshed perspective on the traditional Spanish tapas culture with its hearty renditions of bold and vibrant flavors. Small plates? Not at La Taperia Martinez. 

Inside La Taperia Martinez, the bright and cozy space is warmed by natural light coming through wide panoramic glass windows complemented by the equally vibrant color palette. This is your spot of sunny Spain in Bonifacio Global City.  

The culinary journey of Luis Martinez began in Siargao by way of Spain with his very first restaurant Alma Siargao that eventually led him to Manila helming the kitchens of Bistrot Le Coucou, Sala Martinez, Alma Restaurant Poblacion and Terraza Martinez for the Nikkei Restaurant Group (for more on Luis Martinez and his other restaurants with the Nikkei Restaurant Group, see my posts A Very French Affair At Bistrot Le Coucou from early this year, Feel Right At Home With The Comforting Spanish Mediterranean Flavors At Sala Martinez At Streetscape In Shangri-La Edsa Plaza from 2024 and The Soul Of Spanish And Mediterranean Cuisine Shines At Alma Restaurant Poblacion from two years ago). And you can now add La Taperia Martinez to his growing roster of dining concepts. 

Start your leisurely Spanish afternoon at La Taperia Martinez with a much-deserved tipple with the Mediterraneo (P 395) from the Beefeater Gin And Tonic Signature Selection. The refreshingly crisp and clean notes opens up the palate with its blend of Beefeater London Dry, rosemary, lemon peel and Fever Tree Tonic Water... 

...while the Porto Spritz (P 395) with Taylor's Fine Tawny Port, Aperol and Cinzano Prosecco brings a lingering subtle sweetness with each soothing sip. A few more sips and you're now ready for a meal at La Taperia Martinez...

What to order? Leave that to Luis Martinez. "Let me serve you some of my favorites." Including some dishes you won't find in the metro's typical tapas bars. For lunch, Luis Martinez presented an impressive ensemble of traditional Spanish flavors straight from his home starting with the Ajo Blanco Andaluz (P 295), a creamy Andalusian almond and white garlic soup. The thick broth warms the palate, draping it with a subtle and even nuanced savory richness from the sweet almonds and nutty hints of garlic. The elegant weave of flavors are exactly what Luis Martinez enjoyed back home in Spain for the perfect start at La Taperia Martinez. 

Next, the Ensaladilla Rusa (P 365) or the classic Spanish cold potato salad with soft boiled potatoes, tuna belly, olives, pickles and hard-boiled egg mixed with homemade mayonnaise teases the palate with its familiar yet different kind of play on flavor and textures. The briny sweetness of the buttery tuna and pronounced notes of the olives come together in a seamless weave with each bite held together by the silky smooth homemade mayonnaise. 

A pasta dish is then served with the Ravioli de Marisco (P 395), a seafood ravioli with wonton pasta stuffed with sautéed carrots, eggplant, zucchini, cream cheese and succulent prawns laid on a rich and savory prawn bisque elegantly finished with Carabinero prawn oil. 

The rustic and comforting dish builds layers of delicate notes releasing a flavorful burst from the prawns and vegetables followed by the savory richness of the prawn bisque. The Carabinero prawn oil is the perfect finishing touch with its bold flavorful depth and indulgent hints. Fresh, clean yet full of vibrant notes, the Ravioli de Marisco is high up on my list of personal picks at La Taperia Martinez. 

The smoky sweetness of peppers are highlighted in the next dish with the Piquillo Relleno (P 795) or stuffed Piquillo peppers filled with premium air-flown cod fish and prawns over smooth and savory roasted Piquillo pepper sauce. The Piquillo pepper provides the flavorful base of the dish complemented by the fresh seafood adding even more layers of flavor with the roasted Piquillo pepper sauce tying everything together with each bite. 

Luis Martinez then pulls out one of his many savory surprises from his bag of tricks with the Oreja Estofada (P 895) or braised pork ears. The gelatinous and mildly sticky finish of the collagen-rich pork ears makes this dish stand out from the more common deep-fried and crispy rendition we've all tried before. Stewed for hours, the Oreja Estofada offers a delectable textural alternative from the usual fried option. And this one's probably my top pick from the menu at La Taperia Martinez. 

Why? It's the delicately soft finish of the braised pork ears that immediately gets you as you go for another slice. Tediously slow-braised with paprika, garlic and bay leaf and topped with chimichurri herbs, the Oreja Estofada is an elegant play on contrasting textures and flavors with the chimichurri herbs cutting through the savory richness of the braised pork ears for that balanced finish. The concentrated notes of the sauce infused with all the flavors of the various ingredients from the pork ears and aromatics tempts you to order up a bowl of rice. But somehow you temper your craving for rice as Luis Martinez has even more from his kitchen at La Taperia Martinez... 

...like the Carrilleras de Ternera (P 995) or braised beef cheeks. Slow-cooked in red wine until fork-tender, the buttery beef cheeks just melts in your mouth releasing even more flavors. The small plates usually associated with the Spanish tapas culture goes big at La Taperia Martinez. Paired with truffle mashed potato and steamed green asparagus, the Carrilleras de Ternera is from the Pintxos or small appetizer selection of La Taperia Martinez reflecting their approach to small plates with heftier servings for a light meal in itself.

Inspired by his grandmother's recipes, Luis Martinez shared his comforting paella rendition with the Paella de Atun, Azafran Y Alcachofas (P 1,550) with tuna belly, sautéed artichoke hearts gently simmered in a saffron-infused fish fumet or stock and saffron. The tuna paella is a refreshing meatless option, with all the flavors absorbed by the short grain Bomba rice down to the caramelized and crisp socarrat on the bottom. Again, Luis Martinez opts for the less common yet traditional renditions of typical Spanish staples at La Taperia Martinez. It's also one more tasty edge that sets La Taperia Martinez from the usual tapas bars in BGC. 

The flavors are uncluttered nor complicated, with the fresh richness of tuna belly with its sweet briny notes lingering long on the palate. Delicately seared on charcoal, a light hint of smokiness from the charred edges completes the flavors. 

And for dessert, Luis Martinez served a decadent duo with the Deconstructed Key Lime Pie (P 320) with key lime curd, lime & creme fraiche sorbet, burnt meringue, creme fraiche mousse, oat crumble, tuile and mint...

...and the Chocolatina (P 345) or chocolate bar, an indulgent dark chocolate brownie with peanut butter ganache, milk chocolate mousse, mirror glaze, vanilla cremeux, Maldon sea salt, candied cocoa nibs and toasted almonds for the perfect sweet ending at La Taperia Martinez. Inspired by Spanish culinary traditions and fond memories of home, Luis Martinez presents another facet of the tapas culture at La Taperia Martinez for an exciting and new dining experience in BGC. Enjoy their big "small plates" and libations, and come hungry. 

La Taperia Martinez is located at L214, 2/F, One Bonifacio High Street, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. You can also visit their IG Feed at https://www.instagram.com/lataperia.mnl/ for more information and updates or call 0945 663 8052 for inquiries. 

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