‘High StrEat’: Some BGC Restaurants and Small Food Businesses are Reopening Oct 15

UPDATE: Due to the rains over the past several days, High StrEat will open on Friday, October 17, instead of October 15.

It’s no secret that restaurants and other food businesses have had it tough duing the pandemic. The balance between earning a living and ensuring the health and safety of customers is one that has been difficult to find, which is why the local food and beverage industry has been one of the hardest-hit during this difficult time.

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One of these businesses is Mercato Centrale, a small food enterprise incubator. By building a venue where different types of cuisines come together, Mercato Centrale has helped aspiring food entrepreneurs find an audience for their unique creations as well as learn the ropes of actual, real-world business. But the pandemic caused many restaurants big and small to shut down or lay off many of their staff in order to survive.

"Mercato’s advocacy as a food business incubator has always been about supporting small food businesses through mentorship and incubation in our markets so they can survive and thrive in the challenging food industry," says co-founder RJ Ledesma. "In this pandemic, Mercato’s advocacy has become more relevant than ever as all food businesses – big and small – have been adversely affected.

Classic Wolfgang Burger by Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

Photo by Mercato Centrale.

“We have had to shut down our original Bonifacio Global City (BGC) location and the livelihood of our small food vendors were greatly affected,” Ledesma adds.

Thankfully, businesses have slowly been reopening with modified protocols that adhere to guidelines set by the local and national governments. And Mercato is no different.

“Given that Mercato’s business and advocacy is to be an incubator for food businesses to survive and thrive, we worked with BGC, the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines and the City of Taguig to pioneer High StrEat—a safe and outdoor dine-in and takeout food market in Bonifacio High Street Amphiteather,” Ledesma says. “Located along 7th avenue, High StrEeat is where you can enjoy the bestsellers and newest culinary creations of BGC’s top chefs and dining establishments, your favorite homegrown restaurants, and your Mercato street food favorites at surprisingly affordable prices.”

Burnt Basque Cheescake by Gallery by Chele

Photo by Mercato Centrale.

Grilled Squid by Mango Tree Manila

Photo by Mercato Centrale.

Mexican Ground Beef Taco by El Chupacabra

Photo by Mercato Centrale.

Participating restaurants include Gallery by Chef Chele, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, The Mango Tree Manila, Brotzeit, El Chupacabra, The Alley by Vikings, Our Kitchen Café by Chef Laudico, Monga, Kashmir, A’toda Madre, Gourmet Farms, Corner Tree Café, Mission Wings, Monga Taiwanese Fried Chicken, FRNK Milk Bar, Carpigiani Gelatto, Metro Kusina, Bar Dough PH, Marqui’s Fave Food and Chef Eve’s very own Deli in the City alongside Popular Mercato merchants like Mamay’s Ihaw, Ngon Vietnames Deli, Chef Ian Sushi, Please’N Thank You Café, Conflict Kitchen, Kuye Crepes, Roll Guru, Orime Japanese Jellies, 3001 Burgers, Dino’s, Guagua’s Best, and many more. 

“We will also have all-time family favorites like Mission Wings, Monga Taiwanese Fried Chicken, and Potato Corner alongside popular Mercato merchants like Mamay’s Ihaw, Ngon Vietnames Deli, Chef Ian Sushi, Please’N Thank You Café, Conflict Kitchen, Kuye Crepes, Roll Guru, Orime Japanese Jellies, 3001 Burgers, Dino’s, Guagua’s Best, and others,” Ledesma adds. 

Calamari by The Alley by Viking’s

Photo by Mercato Centrale.

Signature Sausages by Brotzeit

Photo by Mercato Centrale.

Ledesma says it was quite a challenge to hurdle the event permits, primarily because Task Force Safe City Taguig wanted to make sure the group was strictly following health and safety protocols. But he says High StrEat is finally opening on Thursday, October 15. It will be operational from 11 a.m. to 9p.m. daily.

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On top of helping both restaurants and small food vendors get back on their feet, Mercato Centrale says it will also be donating a portion of its earnings to Project Aral—a program of Save the Children Foundation that provides educational materials and alternative learning platforms to children from low income families who have been particularly affected by the pandemic.