Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines introduces a new menu and a 48-Minute Lunch

This August, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines at Newport World Resorts unveils a new menu shaped by what guests have been asking for — bolder flavors, more exceptional dishes, and more reasons to come back. The expanded selection brings together comforting classics, grilled specialties, and seafood plates, with new additions including Spaghetti Bolognese, Steak Frites, Lamb Ribs, Beef Burger, Grilled Pompano, and Mussels. The broader menu caters to a range of occasions, from leisurely lunches and business engagements to intimate celebrations and relaxed dinners.

The restaurant is also introducing the 48-Minute Lunch, a more streamlined dining format for the working week. Available on weekdays, the offer features a two-course lunch for P888 and a three-course set for P1,300, with one complimentary drink included in the latter. Guests may choose from a selection of appetizers, mains, and desserts from the restaurant's latest menu, giving diners a faster option without changing the restaurant's fine-dining focus. Suited to business meetings, casual catch-ups, and midday breaks, the 48-Minute Lunch brings the Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines experience into a more concise format.

The restaurant will also mark its second anniversary from Aug. 29 to 31. The celebratory weekend is set to feature a special brunch experience, entertainment, and other surprises. Reservations may be made through TableCheck: , by e-mail at reservations@gordonramsayrestaurants.com.ph , or through Viber and WhatsApp chat at 0917-147-6576.

World Cellar hosts Japanese dinner

As part of the Araneta City Seafood Festival happening this August, World Cellar at World Kitchens in Gateway Mall 2 joins the month-long celebration with an exclusive wine dinner on Aug. 20.

The next installment in World Cellar's series of exclusive wine dinners features an omakase-style dinner created by Japanese Chef Masaki Watanabe, who is well known in the industry as the "Tuna King." Mr. Watanabe is not only a master sushi chef; he is trained in both the art of Japanese fine dining and classical French culinary techniques. He also leads the two show kitchens at World Kitchens — Unagi Yukimitsu and Kuro Maguro — where guests can experience his signature craftsmanship and passion for Japanese cuisine firsthand.

For this evening, Mr. Watanabe invites guests on a five-course journey. The evening opens with delicate slices of kombu-cured salmon and salt-cured tuna tartare with mascarpone cheese, paired with a J. de Villebois Sauvignon Blanc. The second course is a miniature bowl of ramen built on a delicate chicken broth and perfumed with fragrant yuzu, paired with a Bolla Pinot Grigio. A third course of Saikyo miso-grilled tuna engawa showcases one of the fish's most prized cuts — the fatty muscle that runs along the fin — and will be paired with a San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG and a Bouchard Père & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir La Vignée 2021. Those same wines will accompany a tempura course featuring prawn, eel, and seasonal vegetables. The meal ends with a petite rice bowl topped with otoro and foie gras, paired with a Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo.

World Cellar is located inside World Kitchens, Level 4, Gateway Mall 2. For inquiries, call 0918-939-4537.

Seafood 8 by Olio's opens at Gateway Mall 2

Seafood 8 by Olio's, a bistro-style restaurant that reimagines the Filipino dampa experience, opened earlier this month at Gateway Mall 2. Designed to accommodate approximately 130 guests, the restaurant brings the energy of a bustling seafood market into a contemporary dining environment. Live seafood aquariums, fresh displays on ice, and an open kitchen create an experience where guests can see, hear, and anticipate each dish as it is prepared.

At the heart of Seafood 8 by Olio's are eight signature sauces: Miso Butter, Inasal Citrus Ginger & Soy, Oriental Chili Caramel, Latin Chimichurri, Pomodoro Tomato Olive Capers, Gambas Roja, Bagoong Béarnaise, and Sambal XO Chili.

The concept is the brainchild of Oliver "Oli" Buenviaje, a Filipino chef whose career spans some of the most respected kitchens in Australia and across the world. These include Alain Ducasse's Le Meurice in Paris, Al Mahara at Dubai's iconic Burj Al Arab, L'Normandie at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and Caprice at Four Seasons Hong Kong. He later founded Olio's Fine Food Catering in Perth, and Seafood 8 by Olio's is his first restaurant venture in the Philippines.

"Seafood has always been at the heart of my culinary journey," said Mr. Buenviaje. "Seafood 8 by Olio's is my way of celebrating the incredible seafood we have in this country while presenting it through the lens of everything I've learned around the world."

Seafood 8 by Olio's is located on the ground floor of Gateway Mall 2.

McDonald's launches new Chicken McDo Mega Meals

McDonald's Philippines is launching new Chicken McDo Mega Meals, giving customers bigger ways to enjoy its Chicken McDo. Each one is a complete meal with Chicken McDo, an extra protein, a drink, and a dessert.

"Our customers and fans loved the Chicken McDo combos we launched last June which gave them more fill and more satisfaction with the addition of more protein to their Chicken McDo meals. Now, we're providing more options with our new Mega Meals, completing the meal experience with our delicious dessert. This is another napakasulit win that everyone can 'tastify' about," said NJ Caballar-Azurin, Senior Brand Manager for McDonald's Philippines.

McDonald's Philippines will introduce four new Chicken McDo Mega Meals, all starting at P195:

• 1-pc. Chicken McDo with Rice, Fries, Drink, and Plain Sundae
• 1-pc. Chicken McDo with Mushroom Pepper Steak, Rice, Drink, and Plain Sundae
• 1-pc. Chicken McDo with Crispy Chicken Fillet, Rice, Drink, and Plain Sundae
• 1-pc. Chicken McDo with Chicken Fillet Ala King, Rice, Drink, and Plain Sundae

All Chicken McDo Mega Meals are available all day, while Mega Meals with Spicy Chicken McDo can be ordered during regular hours.

"Starting at just P195, McDonald's new Chicken McDo Mega Meals are already a complete meal experience, staying true to our promise of more napakasulit and mas nakakabusog ways to enjoy Chicken McDo," added Ms. Caballar-Azurin.

Aside from the new offers, fans and customers can still enjoy other Chicken McDo offers and combinations. All the options above can be ordered without the Plain Sundae starting at P158, while the 1-pc Chicken McDo with rice and a regular drink still starts at P99.

The new Chicken McDo Mega Meals are available via dine-in, take-out, drive-thru, or delivery through McDelivery, GrabFood, and foodpanda.

Jollibee puts the spotlight on Spicy Chickenjoy and Alexa Ilacad

Jollibee is turning up the heat with Spicy Chickenjoy and a new campaign featuring Alexa Ilacad. Jollibee Spicy Chickenjoy combines its signature crispy chicken with a blend of spices, bringing a noticeable kick to every bite. The brand is bringing that flavor story to life with Ms. Ilacad, an actress, singer, and performer.

The campaign seeks to portray spice not as something intimidating, but as something fun, exciting, and full of character. Rather than treating spiciness as a test of endurance, the brand frames it as another layer of flavor to enjoy.

"Spiciness should not simply be about tolerating the heat. It should be about enjoying what the spice brings to the overall flavor experience. With Spicy Chickenjoy, we want Filipinos to discover that spicy can be exciting, flavorful and, most importantly, delicious," said Dorothy Ching, vice-president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines.

The move also comes as spicy flavors continue to gain a place among Filipino food preferences. According to research, 13% of surveyed adult Filipinos, or roughly one in eight, identified spicy as a taste preference. While the findings do not suggest that spicy food appeals to everyone, they point to a notable group of consumers who enjoy the added flavor and heat that spicy food brings.