Geolette Marie Esguerra

Article (news)

Tapenade Discovery Primea

<p>Sometimes, the best discoveries aren&#x27;t in some hidden alleyway; they’re sitting right in the heart of the Makati concrete jungle, waiting for you to realize you’re tired of the usual suspects. If you’ve been cycling through the same three dinner spots, let’s talk about Restaurant Tapenade at Discovery Primea—because apparently, the Mediterranean has decided to set up shop right in our backyard, and it’s actually worth the hype.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Why It’s Different</strong></div><p>Most &quot;Mediterranean&quot; spots in the city offer the culinary equivalent of a lukewarm greeting—safe, predictable, and frankly, a bit boring. Tapenade, however, doesn&#x27;t just borrow flavor; it commits to it. It’s not just serving you a plate of pasta; it’s attempting to transport you to the sun-drenched coastlines of Spain, Italy, and beyond without requiring a layover in Doha. It manages to feel both like a sophisticated destination and the kind of place where you can actually enjoy your meal without the pretension usually served on the side.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>About Tapenade</strong></div><p>Think of Tapenade as the inviting warmth of the Mediterranean, minus the jet lag. It’s a love letter to the rustic charm of Italian kitchens and the vibrant, unapologetic boldness of Spanish tradition. Whether you’re grabbing a seat to tackle their famous Salad Room (yes, it’s a whole room, and yes, you need to save space) or leaning into their grill favorites, the menu is less of a list of options and more of a curated experience. It’s the kind of place that understands that true Mediterranean dining should feel like a celebration, not a chore.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What We Tried</strong></div><p>We recently dove deep into the menu, and honestly? We’re still recovering in the best way possible. From the signature <strong>Stone-Baked Feta Cheese</strong>—which, let’s be real, is the kind of starter that ruins all other starters—to the <strong>Gambas Al Ajillo</strong>, the<strong> Fried Calamari</strong>, and the <strong>Ribeye Salpicao</strong>, the team didn&#x27;t hold back.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:800px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786682301297Discovery Primea Tapenade 1.jpg" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Starters (Clockwise): Warm Mushroom Salad, Baked Feta, Ribeye Salpicao, Gambas Al Ajillo, and Fried Calamari</span></span></span></div><p>We wove through the <strong>pizzas</strong> like it was a contact sport (<strong>Camarella Blu, Salumi, Roasted Mushroom</strong>—don’t ask us to pick a favorite) and leaned into the mains: the <strong>Rigatoni Bolognese, Lucban Longganisa Risotto, Paella de la tierra, Beef Kebab, and the Roasted Black Bass</strong>. And just when we thought we were finished, the <strong>Manchego Cheesecake, Baklava, Tiramisu, and Chocolate Marquise</strong> appeared. It was less of a dinner and more of a culinary expedition!</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:800px;display:block" width="800"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786682494228Discovery Primea Tapenade 2.jpg" style="width:800px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="800"/><span class="fr-inner">Amazing mains (Clockwise): Roasted Mushroom Pizza, Rigatoni Bolognese, Lucban Longganisa Risotto, Black Bass, Paella de la Tierra, and Chicken &amp; Beef Kebabs</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:800px;display:block" width="800"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786682697974Discovery Primea Tapenade 3.jpg" style="width:800px;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="800"/><span class="fr-inner">Delectable desserts (Clockwise): Manchego Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Baklava, and Chocolate Marquise</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Last Month’s Offerings: Bastille Month</strong></div><p>If you missed out on July, you missed a moment. Tapenade spent the month celebrating Bastille Month, with Chef Luis Chikiamco paying homage to French gastronomy. It wasn&#x27;t just a nod to the classics; it was a deep dive into the traditions that have shaped kitchens worldwide, a reminder that even in a Mediterranean spot, you can find a little bit of French magic if the chef knows his way around a stove.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>About Chef Luis Chikiamco</strong></div><p>Let’s give credit where it’s due. The mastermind behind this Mediterranean symphony is Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco. With a pedigree that includes a degree from the prestigious L’Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon and an apprenticeship at a three-star Michelin Guide establishment, the man doesn’t just cook; he interprets. Since 2014, he’s been running the show at Discovery Primea, turning out menus that feel refined but never stiff. He’s the reason the lamb kebabs hit just right and why the tagines actually taste as they came from a source, not a test kitchen.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What’s Coming in August: The &quot;Must-Try&quot; List</strong></div><p>If you’re wondering what you should be ordering this August, Chef Luis has done the heavy lifting for you. Here’s the curated hit list:</p><ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#1f1f1f;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p><strong>Creamy Pesto Orecchiette with Shrimp: </strong>This is for when you want a little herbal brightness paired with silky cream. With plump shrimp and seared baby broccoli, it’s the definition of &quot;verdant richness.&quot;</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#1f1f1f;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p><strong>Pizza Campagnola:</strong> This isn’t for the mozzarella-dependent. It’s bold, robust, and intense—pomodoro base, cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, and anchovies. It’s a pure, assertive take on the classic Marinara.</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#1f1f1f;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p><strong>Salad Niçoise:</strong> For the days you want to feel like a healthy, sunlit Mediterranean resident. Pepper-seared tuna loin with green beans, olives, and a lemon vinaigrette. It’s light, clean, and exactly what you need.</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#1f1f1f;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p><strong>Coffee Profiteroles:</strong> A French bistro classic. Choux puffs, coffee ice cream, and warm chocolate sauce. It’s the kind of playful, messy, delicious ending that makes you wonder why we ever bother with standard cakes.</p></li></ul><p>So, head over to <strong>Discovery Primea</strong>. You might go for the food, but you’ll probably stay for the realization that maybe, just maybe, the best meal you’ve had all year was hiding in plain sight.</p>

<p>If you’re bored of predictable menus, head to Tapenade. We’re talking about a kitchen that bridges the gap between Spanish tradition and Italian soul without the usual pretension served on the side.</p>

If you’re bored of predictable menus, head to Tapenade. We’re talking about a kitchen that bridges the gap between Spanish tradition and Italian soul without the usual pretension served on the side.

The Culinary Expedition at Discovery Primea That Actually Lives Up to the Hype

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The Culinary Expedition at Discovery Primea That Actually Lives Up to the Hype

Metro.Style

Published August 12, 2026 08:00 PM PHT

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Updated August 14, 2026 12:47 PM PHT

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