Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez, a Michelin-selected restaurant in Ortigas City, is ringing in the festive season with a five-course holiday menu he created in collaboration with Chef de Cuisine Álvaro Romero Abreu-Raya.
The lineup draws inspiration from the vibrant Christmas flavors of Spain’s northern coast, Cantabria, which is particularly renowned for its seafood.
The five-course degustation begins with a trio of tapas: the signature Iberico ham croquettes, accompanied by tuna tartar on olive oil flatbread with basil and almonds, and a playful pairing of Cantabrian anchovy with a lightly sweet sponge cake, parmesan, and toasted pistachios.
Course after course, the spotlight keeps focus on the sea and its generosity. A reimagined seafood cocktail with herb salad leads the way, followed by scallops with ikura and a warm, creamy celeriac.
The fish course features black grouper in a traditional Cantabrian green sauce, accompanied by beans, ham, and clams.
As for the mains, the menu shifts to meat, featuring roasted lamb marinated in spices, a festive staple in Spain.
Dessert offers a comforting finish: cinnamon-coated fritters paired with sweet béchamel sauce and a scoop of mantecado ice cream.
The five-course holiday menu is priced at P3,250+ per person and will be available for lunch and dinner from December 6 to 30, 2025, except Christmas Day. — LA, GMA Integrated News
Cantabria by Chef Chele Gonzalez is located at The Westin Manila in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.