Where to Order Roasts, Lechon, and Other Christmas Food for Your Holiday Table
Just because you're home for Christmas doesn't mean you have to slave away in the kitchen. When it comes to Christmas food, Manila's best restaurants and home kitchens have got you covered. Here are some of the favorite stars of our holiday tables.
Porchetta by The Black Pig
What is porchetta? It’s a pork roast, bone removed, enrobed in its crispy skin. The Black Pig’s is crackling on the outside, tender on the inside, redolent of lemongrass and spice. And it comes with chef Carlos Garcia’s take on classic livery lechon sauce.
1.2 kilograms, P1,800, urbanartisankitchen.com
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Cochinillo Asado by Cirkulo
This suckling pig is cooked Spanish-style by chef J Gamboa. It's roasted in an oven that makes it crunchy on the outside and milky tender within. It’s also the source of Cirkulo’s famed sisig, which is, hands down, the best in the country. Because who else makes sisig from baby pigs?
Whole cochinillo, good for 10 to 16 people, P9,950, linktr.ee/cirkulo
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Classic Lechon by Elar's
What’s a Filipino holiday celebration without lechon? Our family always turns to Elar’s when it comes to the classic lechon with perfectly crisp skin. We’re never disappointed. And, of course, when the feasting is done, there will always be leftovers to be made into paksiw to eat for days on end.
20 kilos, P8,200, elarslechon on Instagram
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Lechon Tagalog by Pepita's Kitchen
We still can't make up our minds on which pig by lechon diva Dedet dela Fuente is our favorite. We love them all. This lechon Tagalog, stuffed with garlic, tanglad, and green chilies, is the latest‚ and it is gorgeous. How about pig stuffed with mushrooms and truffle rice? Or Chinese sausage, mushrooms, salted egg, chestnuts, dates, and other good things? If you're looking for a seafood dish, add her crab gulong-gulong, another favorite, that will have you doing somersaults.
8.5 to 9 kilos for Lechon de Leche, starts at P9,000, depending on stuffing. Text 0917 866 0662 or 0917 LECHONN.
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BBQ by TOYO
Because every Filipino celebration must, must have this delightful meat on a stick, here's TOYO's three-cut pork silog bilao that comes with its signature sinangag at itlog and coconut vinegar. One bite and you'll know why TOYO was named the nation's best restaurant in 2019 by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.
15 sticks on a 10-inch bilao, serves two to three, P1,500, toyoeatery on Instagram.
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U.S. Angus Rib-Eye Roast by Myron's
This is the juicy roast that's the centerpiece of our family table every Christmas. The platter comes with two sauces, pumpkin soup, truffle cream pasta, french beans, roasted whole garlic, and warm apple pie. Comfort food at its finest.
Two kilos, P11,500, myrons_ph on Instagram
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Porterhouse by Wolfgang's
While we can't spend a white Christmas in Manhattan this year, we can still celebrate with a great New York steak. Order a cut or two of USDA prime-aged Porterhouse, specify the size and the exact doneness (medium rare is recommended, but hey, we don't judge), and don't forget the creamed spinach.
Steak for two, P6,976, delivery.wolfgangssteakhouse.ph
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Lobster and Angus Beef by Gallery By Chele
Lobster is always a luxurious treat, and paired with angus beef, it becomes a spectacular surf and turf by Chef Chele Gonzalez. They arrive accompanied by Spanish classics such as croquetas, txipirones fritos, clams in garlic and white wine, paella Valenciana, and a medley of sweets.
Serves five to six, P6,900, gallerybychele-athome.com
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Wagyu Roast Beef by Yuan's Paella Plus
Pair Yuan Ongpin’s original paella, chockfull of shrimp and chorizo, with a massive three-kilo platter of his wagyu roast beef. Make sure you have your pints of cold brewskies ready too.
Three kilos, P6,960, yuanspaellaplus.com
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Ojo de Bife by La Cabrera Manila
The secret to La Cabrera's smoky, flavorful steaks is the wooden charcoal fired up on its Argentinian parrilla grills. No butter necessary, just salt. A platter comes with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and grilled garlic. Or order frozen ones pre-grilled on the parrilla, with the charcoal flavor already locked in.
250 grams, P1,465 (pictured is an 800 gram slab), 0905 290 0703, 0967 236 7940
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Turkey by Pria's Kitchen
This beautiful fowl graced many Thanksgiving tables in November, and you can see why. Pria Chiongbian-Solon's turkey platter set comes with mushroom gravy, Italian sausage stuffing, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, and cranberry jelly.
6.8 to 7.5 kilos, P7,500, 0917 819 0545
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Christmas Ham by Wildflour
This ham from our happy place is leaner than its pork belly holiday ham brother, but just as satisfying. A charming checked cloth hugs the oatmeal molasses bread it comes with. Glaze with the guava pineapple jam and spread on some honey mustard.
1 kilo, P1,895, wildflourtogo.com
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Jamon Iberico by Txanton
Indulge in a range of Iberico ham from swine that feed on grass and acorn nuts on different grasslands around Spain. Break open some bottles of your favorite wine and you really don't need anything else.
8.5 kilos, P52,488. txanton.com.ph
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Whole Roasted Truffle Chicken by The Test Kitchen
The menu says whole, and there it is, splendid feet and all. Chef Josh Boutwood was our quicky Esquire cover subject earlier this year before the world went topsy-turvy, and he has a whole slew of ready to feast dishes for the holiday. The bird comes with mushroom gravy and black pepper yorkshire pudding. Order some sides and some of the beautiful house sourdough from The Test Kitchen Bakery.
Whole chicken, P1950. @thetestkitchenmnl
