Wazzup Pilipinas!
We must realize that there’s more to noodles than just
ramen. Since there are already a few restaurants specializing in ramen, Chef
Gigo together with his kitchen partner Chef Al, have worked on many other
noodle variations focusing on Asian influence to come up with the best noodle
dishes possible.
Appropriately called The Noodle Studio, the restaurant aims
to become their workshop in their attempt to bring out the best noodle dishes
even if it means undergoing different variations just to finally get to the
best version. Of course, they would always consider the feedback of their
customers, thus their noodle concepts would probably vary depending on customer
requests. At a media preview held at the restaurant itself, Chef Gigo was very enthusiastic in explaining the story behind every dish. He seems to be so proud of what they’ve achieved so far and so they were ready to let us taste some of them – 15 dishes to be exact out of the 40 dishes currently in existence already. But their original plan is to make it up to 60 just in time for their grand opening tentatively by the end of January 2018.
Now, that would be something to look forward to as the 15, or more, dishes he served us that day was already a tummy-full of delight. Not that we’re complaining, but even though the taste buds were still willing to taste every single dish, the tummy doesn’t have room anymore. …and one bite out of every dish seems to be not enough since this is probably the only spread that I liked so much.
Which dishes are my favorites? I have to decline to mention a single one since I love more than a handful, or more, from the more than a dozen dishes served.
It was an impressive start with the Crab Ragoon and the Fried Salmon Pouches as starters. Both dishes were so creamy that one piece is simply not enough to satisfy your craving. You’ll grab more than your expected share from both dishes.
If you love something sweet, there’s the Beef Brisket Noodle Soup that would have you eat more rice since it’s so good.
I could probably survive with only the Thai Pomelo Salad as the same meal for both lunch and dinner but would love a sweeter Pomelo if they could get them from a better source. This is not my first time to try a Pomelo Salad so I have tasted sweeter varieties.
Of course, who wouldn’t love a familiar taste of Claire’s Pancit Canton, named after her mother Claire dela Fuente, since it has been a common comfort food for Pinoys, but the Pad Thai and Char Kway Teow 2.0, and even the Mi Goreng 2.0, are highly recommended. All four have distinctive tastes that the restaurant could be very proud of. All the other noodle dishes, with the inclusion of the soups, have a spacious room in my heart, and belly.
Claire Dela Fuente must be very proud of the achievement of his son, who has been dreaming of having his own restaurant even when he was a child. His primary motivation was also the memories with his late father as they feast on Noodle dishes during his younger years. Pursuing his passion to become recognized for his culinary creations would definitely become as bright, or even brighter, than her well-respected mother who would forever carry the stature as one of the OPM icons in the Philippines. If her mother would be leaving a legacy of well-loved songs, he would be claiming the branding as a Noodle Master.
Indeed, you’ll forget about your diet once you find yourself surrounded with several choices of noodle dishes, plus a lot more, at The Noodle Studio.
We're still editing our photos from our camera but some taken using our smartphone already were posted on social media. Expect us to upload them soon so you could further preview what to anticipate when you visit The Noodle Studio. But do watch out for them at our official Facebook and YouTube pages.
Below is the official write-up presented to the media during
the event so I’m just attaching it below for your continued informative reading
of the details about The Noodle House.
Noodles have been a staple in the culinary vernacular of
most Asian Countries. In many parts of Asia, it is considered comfort food.
While there are numerous places in Manila that offer European renditions of
noodles, little has been done to really gather and place emphasis on its
various conceptions from around the Asian continent.
The Noodle Studio serves as a workshop in exploring Asian
palates, gathering a selection of well-known noodle dishes as well as creating
new Asian dishes in a modern, sophisticated setting. Each dish is prepared
using contemporary techniques in the culinary world, while retaining the heart
and flavor of the original recipes to deliver its version of modern Asian
comfort food to discerning diners.
The Noodle Studio is the brainchild of Executive Chef
Gregorio “Gigo” de Guzman. He graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University
with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, from where he then pursued a
culinary course at Enderun Colleges. He was fortunate enough to be chosen for
an internship program at the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Jules Verne on the
2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
His love for noodles began in his childhood, where his
favorite memories of his late father, Moises de Guzman, were of their numerous
noodle food trips. Some of his many passions are musical theater (appearing in
Ateneo Blue Repertory’s High School Musical, Repertory Philippines' The Producers,
and Trumpet’s Bluebird of Happiness), and indoor cycling (working as an
instructor at Electric Studio, the Philippines first boutique indoor cycling
studio).
The concept of the Noodle Studio was inspired by a previous
restaurant created by his friend Chef Off, a Thai national who studied at the
Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, and his mother Claire dela
Fuente, the famed singer, entrepreneur, and restaurateur. The 2-year process of
creating the Noodle Studio was a collaborative effort between Chef Gigo and
Head Chef Alister Sun. An HRIM graduate major in Culinary Arts from De La Salle
- College of Saint Benilde, Chef Al garnered his training at the Panorama Hotel
in Hongkong and the Starwood Hotel Group in Colorado, Washington, and Arizona.
They also had the participation of Chef Off, Claire dela Fuente, and a few
friends from around Asia.
The aim of the Noodle Studio is to bring the flavors of
various countries in Asia in one place, providing a relaxed, modern upscale
setting where these can be enjoyed with friends and family. It wishes to serve
as a workshop or “studio,” where various Asia noodle dishes can be explored and
recreated to satisfy the ever-growing number of foodies in Manila. But most of
all, the Noodle Studio aspires to give Asian Noodle Cuisine the credit it
deserves in molding and influencing the culinary world.
Executive Chef: Gregorio Angelo Rafael “Gigo” de Guzman Head
Chef: Alister “Al” Sun Owners: Claire
dela Fuente & Florita Santos
Complete Address: 2nd Floor, Ayala Malls the 30th, Meralco
Ave. Ortigas, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone Number: (+632) 637-6500 Mobile Numbers: Smart – (+63) 928-389-8583 Globe – (+63) 995-271-5465
E-mail: thenoodlestudioph@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenoodlestudioph
Instagram: @thenoodlestudioph
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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