Regina Troy Barrios

Josh Boutwood's Osteria is Back at Balmori

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Josh Boutwood has spent the last few years building some of Manila&#x27;s most concept-driven menus. The tasting menus at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/helmmnl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Helm</a> have been built around ideas as expansive as Philippine history, the Harry Potter universe, or the color spectrum—presented to diners course by course, with surgical intent. <a href="https://guide.michelin.com/ph/en/metro-manila/makati-city_2329358/restaurant/helm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Helm is now the only restaurant in the Philippines to hold two Michelin stars</a>.But the dishes people remember don&#x27;t always come from concept work.There&#x27;s the sourdough with smoked butter that opens meals across his restaurants—warm, slightly salty, so easy to over-eat. At <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ember.manila/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ember</a>, his wood-fired restaurant in Greenbelt 3, the turbot is browned in butter, dotted with capers, and so delicious it sold out 300 kilos in its first month on the menu. The <a href="https://metro.style/food/2026/5/10/what-else-can-be-a-taco-miko-calo-and-josh-boutwood-have-a-very-good-answer-2000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hamachi tostada he made at Taqueria Franco</a> last month—cold, bright, exactly right for the summer heat, and available only until May 31—is another example. A more relaxed Josh Boutwood dish, it turns out, is frequently a very delicious one.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17794911005702.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Josh Boutwood | Photo: EAT Public Relations</div>Which is why I find <a href="https://www.instagram.com/popupsbyjoshboutwood/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Osteria by Josh Boutwood</a> so compelling this season. His Italian pop-up at The Balmori Suites Chef&#x27;s Table in Rockwell is now in its second run, from May 22 through June 28—and this is Boutwood entirely outside his fine dining kitchen and the architecture of a tasting menu. That freedom suits him.This is Osteria&#x27;s second run at Balmori. The first, last September, lasted 24 days and left everyone wanting more. Now Boutwood returns with a menu of Italian-inflected dishes, including some favorites from the first run. A sampling of what&#x27;s on the table now:<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779491308991Arancini.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Arancini di ragù | Photo: EAT Public Relations</div>Arancini di ragù. Arborio rice slowly cooked down in beef ragù, breaded, fried until the crust cracks under the fork, then set over sauce.Chilean mussels, white wine, Calabrian &#x27;nduja. A creamy platter of mussels with a rich, spicy kick from the &#x27;nduja.Zucchini salad. Slivered zucchini, lemon vinaigrette, pecorino romano. Just three ingredients, transformed into an elegant, refreshing salad Rigatoni, fennel sausage, mushroom cream. A shift from last year&#x27;s richer &#x27;nduja and guanciale version—still indulgent, just more earthy with less smokiness.Pork cotoletta. Massive, breaded, pan-fried, finished with lemon. A comfort dish.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779491415089Pork Cotolletta.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Pork cotoletta | Photo: EAT Public Relations</div>&quot;This return is about bringing people back to that experience,&quot; Boutwood has said. &quot;Good food, strong flavors, and a space that feels relaxed and welcoming.&quot;Better claim your seat. June 28 is closer than you think.<div>Osteria by Josh Boutwood runs until June 28 at The Balmori Suites Chef&#x27;s Table, Rockwell Center, Makati. Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/popupsbyjoshboutwood/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@popupsbyjoshboutwood</a> for reservations and updates.</div>

Osteria by Josh Boutwood is back in Rockwell with giant pork cotoletta, butter-browned turbot, and the Italian dishes Manila diners couldn’t stop talking about last year.

Osteria by Josh Boutwood is back in Rockwell with giant pork cotoletta, butter-browned turbot, and the Italian dishes Manila diners couldn’t stop talking about last year.

Josh Boutwood's Osteria Is Back At Balmori, Don't Miss It This Time.

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Josh Boutwood's Osteria Is Back At Balmori, Don't Miss It This Time.

Troy Barrios

Published May 22, 2026 07:15 AM PHT

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Updated May 23, 2026 07:13 AM PHT

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josh boutwood

osteria by josh boutwood

michelin star philippines

manilia restauranta

makati fine dining

rockwell

balmori chefs table

where to eat in makati

taqueria franco

helm manila

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