That slow and gentle kiss from the fiery embers of the santol wood and binchotan charcoal grill does its magic transforming savory meats and seafood with rich and deep notes. The Nikkei Group and Chef Luis Martinez fires up their latest culinary concept with Brasa Martinez in Rockwell...
The return to the classic and timeless method of cooking over open fire highlights the latest concept from The Nikkei Group helmed by Chef Luis Martinez with the intensity of the fiery grill elegantly refined at Brasa Martinez. From premium steaks to succulent seafood and traditional Spanish staples, rediscover the instinctive and honest rendition of pure and unrestrained flavors romanced by fire and smoke at Brasa Martinez...
Located at the ground floor of Joya Lofts & Towers along Joya Drive, Brassa Martinez becomes a colorful new canvas for the creative Spanish-inspired culinary expressions of Chef Luis Martinez, the same chef behind La Taperia Martinez, Sala Martinez, Bistro Le Coucou and Alma Restaurant (see more from my previous posts, Culinary Traditions And Fond Memories Of Home Plated And Served By Luis Martinez At La Taperia Martinez In BGC from early March this year, Feel Right At Home With The Comforting Spanish Mediterranean Flavors Of Sala Martinez At Streetscape In Shangri-La Edsa Plaza from late last year, A Very French Affair At Bistrot Le Coucou from early this year, The Midday Dining Experience, Refined With An Elegant French Connection: The Parisian Brunch At Bistrot Le Coucou from March this year and The Soul Of Spanish And Mediterranean Cuisine Shines At Alma Restaurant from last year).
Inside, the bright interiors of Brasa Martinez glow in natural light warmed by earthy wood and pastel tones...
...complemented by a cozy yet modern and contemporary vibe. All this becomes the perfect setting for a sumptuous feast forged and rendered by fire. There's a primal connection that's rekindled with the intensity of the flame, the fragrant aroma of charcoal and the glowing embers that continues to resonate with the enjoyment of good food. That sense of timing and knowing when the flames of the charcoals have done their job makes this cooking process also deeply personal.
Brasa Martinez also boasts of a private dining room, bar and well-stocked Wine Room with its impressive selection of premium wines on the second floor.
As you settle down in your seat, a soothing beverage is in order. The Iced Latte (P 250) refreshes and opens the palate...
...while the Lychee and Hibiscus (P 250) with its vibrant citrus notes brings a splash of sweetness before the first course...
...with the Octopus Gilda (P 330), a tasty starter with tender grilled marinated octopus, Basque Piparra, onion and green olive on a skewer for a vibrant medley of flavors. The smoky briny sweetness of the succulent octopus are balanced by the sharpness of the onion, green olive and Basque Piparra. The hot and cold tapas selection are always a good way to start any meal by Chef Luis Martinez.
That day, we sampled the new Lunch Menu available from Monday to Saturday, 12nn to 5pm starting with the soup course. The Daily Farmer's Market Soup (P 350) is dictated by by the day's market selection and the kitchen served a comforting Leek and Potato Soup warming the palate with each creamy sip.
The refreshing Chicken Mango Salad (P 650) with tender and juicy charcoal-grilled chicken thigh, crisp garden-fresh greens, Gorgonzola, cherries, black sesame seeds, crunchy croutons and sweet mango tossed in a honey-curry vinaigrette brings a delectable play on contrasting yet delicately balanced sweet and savory flavors.
The Paella de Vaca (P 1,750) with juicy slabs of US Hanging Tender and wild mushrooms on soft Bomba rice is a sumptuous feast ideal for sharing. The savory richness of the US Hanging Tender with just a hint of fragrant smokiness from the grill is absorbed by the Bomba rice combining well with the deep earthy and nutty hints of the wild mushrooms. This rich weave of flavors are released with each bite, lingering long on the palate while reflecting the masterful brasa cooking technique with the slab of US Hanging Tender. Other paella options from the Lunch Menu include the Paella Valenciana (P 1,050), Paella Negra (P 1,200) and Paella de Chorizo (P 1,395).
From the Main Menu, the Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna (P 2,300) with charcoal-grilled yellow fin tuna belly served with white beans, garlic-parsley chimichurri and crispy onions laid on velvety smooth cauliflower purée brings fresh vibrant flavors kissed with subtle smoky hints from the grill for a savory main course. The fresh and clean sweetness of the yellow fin tuna comes through complemented by the garlic-parsley chimichurri, crisp onions and white beans for a medley of flavors completed by the mildly sweet cauliflower purée for another stand-out dish from the kitchen of Brasa Martinez. The delicate layers of flavors come together seamlessly for a dish high on my list of personal picks.
Pair your feast with the recommended wines from their very own cellar...
...as the next course is gently romanced by the fiery charcoal.
The Australian Boneless Ribeye (P 6,995) from the Main Menu is the highlight of the Brasa Martinez experience, flavored by fire and smoke. Tender and juicy with bold beefy notes, a dab of chimichurri completes the savory play on flavors .
For dessert, the Limoncello Tiramisu (P 495) with Mascarpone cream, Limoncello syrup, lemon curd and oat crumble delivers pronounced citrusy notes for a twist on the traditional tiramisu...
...while the Chocolate Shards (P 295) with thin sheets of white chocolate with pistachio, chia seeds and flax seeds, milk chocolate with almonds, chia seeds and flax seeds, and dark chocolate with walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds and sea salt is pure chocolate bliss. And that's how you cap your dining experience at Brasa Martinez. From starters to the soup and salad courses and the savory mains, Brasa Martinez recreates that connection with the timeless and traditional ways of cooking updated with a modern and contemporary spin. Rediscover the art of cooking a la brasa with fiery charcoal in the elegant style of Chef Luis Martinez, now firing up at Brasa Martinez in Rockwell...
Brasa Martinez is located at the Ground Floor, Joya Lofts & Towers, Joya Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/brasamartinezph and https://www.instagram.com/brasa.martinez/ for more information and updates or call 0966 177 6197 for inquiries.
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