Gallery by Chele Reopens For Dine-In Service On October 1

From the ways we work, learn and play, to our manner of travel and even our most basic daily social interactions, nothing  is the same. But after many months of quarantine, we know people are looking to find a way out. They want to return to  the familiar and celebrate the small joys of life that many, in the past, have taken for granted.  

On the 1 October 2020, Gallery by Chele reopens for dine-in service for the first time in seven months.  

“The first few months during the community quarantine were a challenge. As we grappled with reality of this pandemic,  my team and I struggled to figure out how to keep our Gallery family safe and secure,” says Gallery by Chele’s chef and  partner, Chele Gonzalez. “Now, we feel more self-assured. We know who we are as a restaurant, what is important to us  and our guests and how we can make dining at Gallery by Chele not only a memorable experience but a safe one as  well,” he adds.  

Gallery by Chele has always been about exploration and trading of knowledge.  

Its menu travels around the regions of the Philippines and Asia, discovering the intricacies of common local ingredients.  It dives into the traditional cooking methods, learning practices and traditions. It engages with the outside world, sharing  knowledge while gaining greater awareness on global culinary techniques, design and technology.  

Gallery by Chele creates a dining experience that is rooted in Filipino heritage but is not bound by it. It combines  ingredients, techniques, cultures and traditions together, weaving cross-cultural innovations that move beyond borders.  And while travel maybe limited at the moment, the flavors of the Filipino culinary heritage and the world are evident on  every plate. “Dining with us is therapy for the soul. As our guests take a journey around the Philippines, Asia and the  world through our menus, we hope to set our guests free,” exclaims Chele.  

Guests can make their choice from a five or nine-course tasting menu or simply opt to dine á la carte. They can further  customize their experience with the addition of small and big plates or bites. Vegan and vegetarian menus are always  available.  

“Quarantine was never an excuse to stop dreaming,” Chele says. “The process of research and development never  stopped. We played with new ideas, deconstructed old ones and with inspiration from the best local sustainable  producers, we cannot wait to share our amazing creations.”  

Prioritizing health and safety

To ensure Gallery by Chele remains a safe space for extraordinary dining, it maintains the industry’s best practices when it comes hygiene and safety in both the kitchens and front of  house. But the new reality has asked that these conventions are taken even further.  

According to Anne Bestoso, restaurant manager of Gallery by Chele, “We know that our guests want that feeling of  normalcy. Know that Gallery by Chele is doing everything to keep them safe. Our challenge now is how to seamlessly  weave our dining experience with necessary health and safety protocols, maintaining that sense of easy elegance the  guests have come to expect.”  

The revisited Gallery by Chele experience begins even before guests enter the restaurant.  

Kitchen and front of house sanitation at all times is essential. They go through an extensive cleaning process before and  after service. Counter tops, pass stations, all kitchen equipment, sinks and floor are brought to a high standard of  cleanliness. In the dining areas, tables and chairs are cleaned and sanitized. Frequently-touched contact surfaces such as  doors, handles and restroom surfaces are disinfected every 30 minutes. The staff is provided with soap and sanitizers  stations are all critical points of the restaurant. A deep cleaning of the entire restaurant is a mandatory practice at the end  of every work week.  

Gallery by Chele adheres to all government-prescribed protocols: body temperature checks and foot baths upon  entering the restaurant, face masks, face shields and single-use gloves for use by all restaurant staff and tables spaced  one meter apart.  

Prior to service, guests’ cutlery such as spoons, forks and knives are stored and sanitized in our front-of-house UV box.  Each dining table is covered in a sanitized table cloth. For personal sanitation needs, guests will have access to no-touch  automatic dispensers at the reception desk, in restrooms and at every dining table. Single-use envelopes are provided  for personal face masks. Upon a guest’s request, a QR code is provided to access the digital food and beverage menus.  Upon billing out, guests have different contactless payment options, such as PayMaya, GCash, Alipay and online bank  transfers. Cash and credit card payments will be accepted after a quick UV sanitation process.  

To maintain proper physical distancing in the dining area, all guests are encouraged to make reservations in advance.  During the reservation process, guests will be asked to fill out a mandatory health declaration form. Each table is used  only once during each service. For now, there will be no second seatings.  

An extraordinary dining experience made safe for you is the restaurant’s highest priority.  

Gallery by Chele, 5/F Clipp Center, 11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. @gallerybychele on Facebook and Instagram.