When we were kids.. Christine’s mom would always prepare mac and cheese out of the box for her and her brother to bring to school. it would always be their favorite comfort food. @The Balcony: Twin Mac and Cheese-one with truffle oil, cream, cheese and crisp bacon and the other with fontina and cheddar both fired up til golden!
Everyone has a different version… We make ours with sun-dried tomatoes and lots of cheese (3 kinds). goes well with melba toasts or tortilla chips. truly addicting!
@The Balcony: Hot Artichoke Dip w/ Sun-dried Tomatoes
Stepping into Makati’s newest hang out, The Balcony, you will instantly know that there’s no place like it in the metro. Brick wall interiors, antique chandeliers, muted LED lights, framed mirrors, and contemporary table settings make for a cool change from all the other restaurants and gastropubs in Manila.
The overall design and feel of The Balcony took inspiration from some of the world’s best cafes and restaurants, as experienced by big boss Christine San Diego. The well-travelled restaurateur and foodie combined traditional, modern, and eclectic design elements which Filipinos can now enjoy in a friendly neighbourhood location.
Apart from simple food and drink, the Balcony has carefully thought out other amenities to serve their customers better. Free wifi access, daily newspapers, and electric sockets for charging are available. It’s also equipped with flat screen LCD’s for those who want to watch the latest news or view sports.
The Balcony invites you to come as you are: nothing fancy or frilly, just simple and high-quality everything. Come alone, dine with friends, play a game or two at the foosball table, and dance the night away: there’s every reason to come and hang out at the Balcony.
The Balcony also offers only the most premium liquor and spirits, so whether diners come for the food or cocktails, the extensive drink list is something to be truly appreciated. Savor their scrumptious selection of bar chow while sipping cocktails: the vegetable tempura is a popular favourite, which is cooked with just the right amount of batter with a citrus ponzu sauce. Their version of cheese sticks are these rich little triangle sandwiches fried in butter and filled with cheese, truffle oil and sweet onions that are truly delectable. The baked artichoke dip is mouth-watering on its own or while drinking.
On Wednesday nights, renowned DJ from Boracay Surf comes to play sets of house music that will make you want to dance the night away.
As part of the Balcony is open air, with panoramic glass dividers, there’s room for everyone to move around comfortably, dine, drink, and enjoy the music.
On Friday nights, popular DJ Jimmy Patch Gustilo whips out both new and classic house tunes to help you ease into the weekend
The Balcony’s outdoor terrace and warm, inviting interiors make it an ideal gathering place. By day, lunch-goers can come to the bright gastropub to enjoy one of The Balcony’s Lunch Express dishes: Asian-themed budget dishes at P150 which include stir fried noodles, arroz ala cubana, adobo, beef mechado, fried bangus and many more. For office-goers nearby, there’s always something to look forward to as the Lunch Express menu changes daily.
By early evening, The Balcony transforms into a more upscale pub with an understated yet elegant ambiance where friends near and far can gather for delicious and truly satisfying food and drinks. Start with their roasted mussels, whose star flavour is a delicious licorice taste brought out by pastis liqueur. Next, the Thai-inspired fried calamari served on top of a pomelo salad will surely tickle your tastebuds: the dish is an explosion of flavours as it combines refreshing herbs such as cilantro and mint, topped with spices, crisp shallots, and roasted coconut shavings. The lime dressing combines all flavours into one truly exotic and refreshing appetizer.
Other appetizers to share can also be made into main dishes, simply add on an order of rice. The lamb riblets with mango chutney is an excellent choice: succulent rib portions given an Asian flavour with the sweetness of our very own Philippine mangoes, served on a bed of lettuce. The Crispy Sisig can convert any haters to serious addicts of this pub favorite. If you are craving Pinoy comfort food, you can’t go wrong with the sizzling bulalo and nilaga which are classic local dishes that are warm and soothing. The menu, boasting of even more simple yet high quality dishes, from salads, pastas, and sanwiches to is something that everyone must come and try.
The duo that brought Balcony to life is the dynamic brother/sister team of Peter and Christine San Diego. They have long been involved in the food industry, and you can always count on them to know the latest in the food and restaurant scene. Christine takes care of creating the overall concept and management, while Peter is the big boss in the kitchen, ensuring that each dish is created carefully so the end result is nothing less than a work of art.
Christine’s experience in the food industry dates back to 15 years ago, when she first worked as a kitchen assistant, food server, barista, and cashier in SRO at San Francisco. She came home and brought with her the valuable work ethic and management technique and went on to manage successful resto-bars such as Bistro 110, Flute, and Absinth, all which have made a mark in the local scene.
Peter’s enviable culinary career began with a prestigious education in Le Cordon Bleu at Pasadena, California. During his stint in the United States, he has also worked for no other than Wolfgang Puck. His international experience consists of catering for a number of Hollywood sets, a stint in Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney, and preparing food for celebrities at the Oscars. He brought his expertise over to local shores, and partnered with Christine to revamp a restaurant in Boracay island, now known as Ti Braz Creperie & French Bistro. Peter’s creations have now made Ti Braz is one of the most noted gastronomic destinations in Boracay. Together, the San Diego siblings have clearly mastered turning any restaurant or cafe into a well-loved eatery, giving countless diners unique and satisfying dining experiences.
