A More Personal Way to Experience Spanish Cuisine
Spanish dining takes on a more personal character at Singular Manila, where guests can now explore Spanish cuisine through a new à la carte menu alongside its existing tasting menu. The restaurant, located at The Palace in Uptown BGC, introduced the new offerings on November 5, 2026, together with Off Course, a Spanish-inspired speakeasy tucked behind the restaurant.
For managing partner Architect Felipe Díaz de Miranda, the expansion reflects the group’s vision of creating restaurants that feel more personal and welcoming.
“The Singular Group of Restaurants was born to really try to cater to a market that we feel is lacking in the Philippines. That is those family-owned restaurants, in a way,” he shares. “A place where when you step in, you feel like you’re at home, that you know the chef, you know the owner, you know the manager, and you feel like welcome.”
Singular first introduced its Spanish tasting menu, offering seven- and 11-course dining experiences. The new à la carte selection gives guests another way to enjoy the restaurant, whether they’re dropping by for a casual meal or gathering with friends and family.
Bringing the Real Spain to Manila
At the heart of Singular’s identity is a desire to introduce diners to a deeper side of Spanish cuisine beyond the familiar paellas and croquetas.
“We wanted to bring the real Spain back to Manila, to the Philippines,” says Executive Chef and partner Fernando Alcalá. “We had the feeling that Spanish restaurants were a little bit franchise-y.”
Born in Marbella, Spain, Alcalá draws inspiration from the country’s regional cooking traditions, combining Spanish techniques with quality ingredients available locally. The result is a menu that stays true to its roots while making room for Filipino produce.
Among the dishes showcased were a refreshing gilda made with locally sourced yellowfin tuna and house-pickled sinigaba, a crab-topped torrija inspired by the flavors of northern Spain, and pam preñao with chorizo.
There is also the txuleta, prepared in the Basque grilling tradition, with a smoky, charred exterior and juicy meat, alongside grilled local fish served with pilpil. The restaurant also highlights creamy Spanish rice dishes, which Alcalá explains are often more common in Spain than the paella many diners associate with the country’s cuisine.
For the chef, however, the experience goes beyond the food itself.
“Filipinos and Spanish people have so much in common. The art of eating together, of partying together, of having fun is very similar,” he says.
A Journey Through the Manila Galleon
Adding another dimension to the dining experience is Off Course, a proper Spanish speakeasy inspired by the Manila Galleon trade route, which connected the Philippines, Mexico, and Spain for approximately 250 years.
Its cocktail menu follows three chapters: Manila, the port of departure; Acapulco, the stopover; and Sevilla, the port of arrival. Twelve cocktails and three non-alcoholic creations tell this shared history through spirits and ingredients associated with each destination.
Among the highlights are Ginto, a blend of Don Papa rum, coconut rum, mango, jackfruit, pandan, and calamansi; Nueva España, the signature tequila-based cocktail with sherry, Aperol, grapefruit, and mezcal; and Vermouth Sour, which combines Spanish red vermouth and brandy de Jerez with calamansi.
Designed by Felipe Díaz de Miranda, the intimate space features deep navy and claret tones, velvet furnishings, brass accents, lantern lighting, and terracotta floors.
For Díaz de Miranda, Off Course fills the space between traditional Spanish dining and the more familiar interpretations of Spanish food in the Philippines. It offers guests another way to explore the connections between the two cultures.
An Invitation to Gather and Share
With its new à la carte menu and speakeasy, Singular encourages guests to make Spanish dining part of more than just special occasions.
Alcalá recommends starting with the tasting menu to discover the restaurant’s approach to Spanish cuisine before returning to explore the à la carte selection.
“Now with the à la carte, you can make your own stories,” he says. “I would just be glad that people come to Singular because they want to eat good food. Not just to go to a nice place, which it is, but to go to eat well.”
Singular Manila and Off Course are located at The Palace, 11th Avenue corner 38th Street, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig. Both welcome guests Monday to Saturday, from 5:30 PM until late. Reservations are available through +63 917 309 8027 or singular.ph/reserve.
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