half saints

i came to halfsaintssince they had consistently good reviews, but i didn't really know anything about the place. 😅 thankfully, the server was gracious enough to explain to me their menu. i ended up ordering their kimchi gyoza, beef lasagna with spinach and cream cheese, calamansi and mint slush, and assorted flower tartlets.

while everything tasted delicious, what i liked the most was their 64% dark chocolate flower tartlet. i will definitely come back for that. and their puff pizza, too, most probably. because the other table ordered shiitake, goat cheese, balsamic glaze and it looked amazing.

the place is perfect for intimate hangouts with friends... provided there aren't any long lines for succeeding diners.

my partner and i discovered this little (literally) gem in zomato as its recommendations and we were not disappointed.

the place was a little cramped but the food and service made up for it. for starters, we ordered the kimchi gyoza which was so full of flavor. for the pizza, we had the shiitake, goat cheese and balsamic vinegar. the dough, since it's a puff pizza, is thin and resembles a croissant. the flavor though.. ah. so good. for mains, we had the arroz con pollo and for the bakery, we had subarashii kare pan and flower tarlet gourmad. it wasn't served all at the same time so we had the opportunity to savor all the flavors.

i will reco this for couples and friends, space wise it won't accommodate as much.

halfsaintsis good food. thank you for the experience.

dudes u all have to try halfsaintsin mother ignacia pls!!! everything there was perfect for me. it made me rethink if i was really in qc, cos the place felt like makati/bgc and the food quality was superb!!! no joke, i’ve been there two times and they were consistent with the food and service.

i suggest you guys try their chicharron teriyaki, some crunchy slices of sweet meet in teriyaki sauce you wrap in nori, add the whip cream and munch on. so damn good, i swear.

they’re also famous for their puff pizza, got to try thejr shiitake goat cheese balsamic vinegar and it was good, not your usual pizza so prepare your expectations. the dough’s texture was similar to that of croissant. 😋

beef lasagna with cream cheese spinach was also really yummy. not a big fan of lasagna but this was something i appreciated, really.

arroz con pollo. pls try this. a filling and sulit meal if you’re on a budget u can get this as it is. thinking of it makes me drool haha

gallo pinto x rbm. little did i realize this rice with beef egg and roasted bone marrow. oops the cholesterol in it is crazy but it was an ok dish for me. if u prefer the putok batok dishes, go for it, but don’t forget your anti-cholesterol meds 😝

64% dark chocolate tart was so damn good. one of the best chocolate cakes in my book. so rich and not too sweet. came with salt to give contrast to the gastronomic experience.

i wrote this review with so much passion so i hope u enjoy as much as i did! 🤘🏽

it’s my 2nd time in half saints, and they have nailed it yet again!

we got to try the:
🥘 salmon bento — the red rice, miso soy, and salmon was a perfect combination in itself. a perfectly balanced dish hitting all the right spots on your palate! downside? it leaves you wanting more.
🥘 double smashed tocino burger — a new item on the menu and a fantastic twist to the normal burger we all know. the tocino added a sweetness that was very distinct. my dad loved this!
🥘 shiitake. goat cheese. balsamic pizza — so so so good. the puff pastry base is pure genius and it really allows the toppings to stand out.
🥘 tres leches cheese latte — one of the best lattes i’ve ever had. the top tasted like tres leches icing! every sip was delightful.
🥘 textures of turon — we particularly enjoyed this dish the most. a deconstructed turon, using the exact same ingredients, but presenting it a totally different way! we didn’t want this dish to end!

halfsaintscreates art out of the food they present and that in itself is worth giving this place a 5/5. 😍 can’t wait for my next visit.

the restaurant is a very good restaurant the ambience is good, the servers are polite and knowledgable, the food is great although not all. some of the food in halfsaintsare very good especially the risotto the chicharon terriyaki and the salads. i was excited by the gallo pinto because of the marrow but i was disappointed. the gallo pinto for me was a let down although the cookery is good the flavor wasn’t enough. the benedict dish for me was soso. i think the other dishes in the menu makes the gallo pinto look bad. but overall its one of my fave restos in manila and would definitely eat again.

the place is worth waiting for, despite the long line. the food tastes great; i have had hard time choosing my order because all the selections had positive reviews. i ordered gallo pinto, and i wasn' t surprised by how excellent it tasted like, coupled with their tres leches coffee. must order, i must say, you won't regret it. the friendliness of the staff adds to the overall positive vibes of the place. if you are within the area and are looking for place to eat, i won't hesitate recommending halfsaintsto satisfy your cravings. i will definitely go back to this place to try all the other selections in their menu.👌

in my humble opinion, halfsaintsis tomas morato's best-kept secret. what truly makes dining at halfsaintsso enjoyable is their very attentive staff who know their restaurant inside-out.

it is rare to be served by waitresses who will tell you how to best enjoy your meal. we appreciated our waitress telling us how to best bring out the flavors of our desserts.

i don't claim to be a foodie so i'll leave the in-depth analysis of the flavors and cooking techniques to the gourmandes (in my non-expert opinion though, halfsaintsexcels in this arena as well). however, i can recognize amazing service when i see it. half saints' menu and service deserve 5-stars and that is what sets it apart from tomas morato's already crowded dining industry. you truly get above and beyond your money's worth. ✨

halfsaintshave their chocolate pie as their claim to fame in the chocolate realm. and no wonder why people are all praises for this humble piece of pie. made from philippine cacao, baked with love and it shows from the simplicity of its appearance the care and delicate handling of it. the overall flavor is on a whole other level of goodness. i had the pleasure of having a taste, more that a sample really, of the 64% dark chocolate tart, and it was just divine. the pie was smooth, creamy and a nary of sweetness. it was just right that it does not scream death, complimented by the firm crust. recommended for its overall winning qualities.

my aunt wanted to eat here last week, but the line was so long, they were no longer able to get in. today, we drove pass the place, and there were seats available!

with the high reviews, i was very excited to try this place...and it was amazing!

the hummushka was a new experience. usually, we don't have egg in hummus, but this was delicious, especially with the tomato puree.

the shitake balsamic and goat's cheese puff pizza was light and refreshing. my mom even enjoyed the pizza, and she doesn't like pizzas.

the chicharon pasta reminded me of pesto rather than dehydrated tomatoes.

i enjoyed the lasagna especially with the spinach cream in between each layer.

the star of the night was the bone marrow. it reminded me of paella.

the carribean flavors really hit us hard when the chicken was set on the table. i immediately smelled the spices of the chicken and rice. the rice was about too salty for us, but the chicken was the best chicken i have ever ate. not because of its taste, rather because of how it was cooked. i have never ate chicken so soft, tender and moist. this, i believe, is a new standard for perfectly cooked chicken.

service added to the experience of the restaurant. anna, our server, was very accommodating and knowledgeable of all items in the menu, and even explained to us how to eat the dish. she even explained the origins of "chicharon", which is actually bagnet. she was so attentive, she didn't even let us pout our own water through out the meal.

overall, halfsaintsserves good food and good times in the hidden corner of tomas morato.

so good. i was worried i was setting myself up for disappointment because i had such high expectations going in, but halfsaintsmet them all

what we ordered:
1. chicharron terriyaki: this was certainly an interesting dish where you manually wrap the teriyaki-glazed camiling bagnet in a piece of nori along with cream cheese. woul i order it again? maybe not. it's a nice novelty but not one ill crave for
2. dehydrated tomato and almond pesto with garlic sausage spaghettini: i was a bit iffy about this dish when my friend ordered it because there are so many ways it can go wrong. surprisingly, it was actually really good!! unlike most pesto dishes, the taste wasn't cloying and overwhelming!
3. ratatouille puff pizza: my gosh. this was the star of night. i'd return to halfsaintsfor this dish alone. it's so good. their pizza crust is light and puffy - i don't think it should be called a pizza anymore. anyway, this is super good. try it
4. 64% dark chocolate tart: this dessert of theirs is pretty famous. it's good, but i've tasted equally good ones elsewhere. nevertheless, great dish to cap off a yummy night!

overall, i'm giving halfsaints5 stars without reservations - not just for the food but also for the great service and the readily available parking at the basement (so rare for tomas morato restaurants...)

still one of our favorite places in the scout area. halfsaintsis a great place to go to for a meal, merienda, or coffee. for this visit, we went for a quick snack and coffee. the great balls of fire come with some flair, torching the risotto balls table-side. really good snack, also pretty spicy. the chocolate tart is one of our favorite desserts - make sure to try it when you visit. instead of ordering my usual drink, i tried the tres leches cheese latte which pretty much tasted like liquid dessert. ambiance is great, service is fast. make sure to try it if you find yourself in the area.

halfsaintsis undoubtedly one of my favorite restaurants in tomas morato. their dishes are well thought of and well executed. the chicharron teriyaki appetizer and camiling’s chicharron risotto are both winners but i won’t order the two at the same time as they’re both bagnet dishes. their pizzas are also quite interesting as the unique crust texture resembles more the buttery and flaky croissant than the regular doughy bread. the interiors also look clean and modern while there’s ample parking outside and at the basement of the establishment.

a tiny place near hi-top q.ave, halfsaintshas delivered on my expectations!

saw this place at zomato when looking for a place where to have dinner - and just our luck, we got the last table when we got there.

true to the other reviews, the chicharon teriyaki is unique! it hits all the spots with the eccentric partnering of teriyaki, cheese, and seaweed. truly a must try!

the chicken con pollo was good! my boyfriend said this is much better than the one he had in macau. crispy edges, creamy rice, and soft chicken ( no knives needed!) - it was so flavorful! chicken wasn't overcooked, and the rice had contrasting textures of soft and crispy, while the sauce was seasoned well. a well deserved hi-five!

the best selling shiitake, goats cheese, and balsamic vinegar pizza is a combination not many people would think would go well together. this dish proves it can! crispy, sweet, creamy, savory, and salty - the combinations and textures make this dish worth of being called a best seller!

our desserts, tiramisu and 64% dark chocolate tart - were equally good as the savory dishes. as a fan of dark chocolate, i absolutely adored the chocolate tart sweet at first, with the bitterness slowly creeping up. add in a sprinkle of salt, and it boosts the sweetness up a notch! (bf had the tiramisu. he said it was delicious. a man of a few words, but honest words)

we commend the head chef, kitchen and bar staff, as well as the servers! food, ambiance, and service was great. will definitely be coming back here and letting others know that halfsaintsserve up great food!

happy eating!

halfsaintswas a delightful surprise. went there yesterday for dinner and had the following:

chicharron teriyaki - simple yet the combination of flavors fits well

shiitake goat cheese pizza - a must try, quality of the pizza itself was really good plus they have their unique "puff" crust. imagine pizza with thin croissant as the crust .

arroz con pollo - rather than a strict paella, the consistency of the rice is between a risotto and a paella. has balanced curry flavor to it that i think even non-curry lovers would like

salmon bento - didn't get to try this personally but feedback i received was that it was good

cheese & paprika tart - a nice twist on your classic cheese tart since it has a hint of savory taste

overall, really enjoyed our visit and will be coming back to try their other dishes.

"our menu is a representation of our travels and incorporating them with a local touch to help promote native ingredients from different places in the philippines." 
i had the privilege of checking out halfsaintsyesterday at g/f the ignacia place 62 sgt. esguerra ave., q.c. and meeting two of their co-owners joanna arciaga and christine roque.

as i looked through their menu, i asked christine what was the inspiration behind their food and this is what she said that really stuck with me, "our menu is a representation of our travels and incorporating them with a local touch to help promote native ingredients from different places in the philippines." 

upon entering the restaurant, i immediately loved the whole ambiance and vibe, it was minimalist meets industrial design. greeted with a glass of sangria, which is not for the faint-hearted. so if you prefer a sangria that surely packs a punch, then this one is for you. ;)

one of their best-selling starters is the chicharron teriyaki (php 295). their teriyaki-glazed chicharron is from camiling tarlac, served with whipped cream cheese and nori.  best eaten immediately and eaten in a one bite, wrap and roll style. this is probably one of my top picks! it is really good. a must-try!

i think i'm gonna say "this is my favorite" a lot in this post cause the food was really good. i genuinely enjoyed my dining experience here so, sorry in advance haha!

next is their humshuka (php 280). it is a fusion between cilantro hummus and shakshouka served with nacho chips. i really enjoyed this one, it is a comfort food. great for sharing while catching up with friends!

last but not the least in our starters is the great balls of fire (php 250). spicy risotto balls with shiitake mushrooms and mozzarella cheese served with their home-made marinara sauce. at first i was a hesitant to try it cause i am not allowed to eat spicy food but i got to eat 2 ahahahaha! cause it wasn't spicy at all!

humushuka x great balls of fire x sangria
they also serve puff pizza which is made from puff pastry unlike the traditional pizza dough which gives it a thin and flaky crust. anton ego would be delighted with their version of the ratatouille (php 325). thinly sliced tomato, eggplant and zucchini in a bed of marinara and topped with pesto is really a burst of flavor. *side note: their pesto sauce is really good!

here is another stand-out for me, this is their arroz con pollo (php 395). it's a chicken sofrito paella with a carribean flare. cooked and braised with coconut oil to give it that tropical flavor that best represents our country and weather :d i highly recommend this dish!

and another highly recommended dish is their gallo pinto x rbm (php 495). inspired by the staple breakfast food in central america, it is dirty rice and beans with shredded beef. very much like a silog in philippine breakfast, they decided to kick it up a notch by adding eggs, bacon and a massive roasted bone marrow that will surely make you 20 years younger! hahaha! *side note: it is best to scoop a bit of marrow with every bite ;)

arroz con pollo (php 395) x gallo pinto x rbm (php 495) x ratatouille (php 325)
for my favorite part of every meal, it's now time for dessert! i've done a bit of research before going here and i am excited to try their 64% dark chocolate tart (php 220) which is made from 64% auro dark chocolate from davao in an almond sugar crust with whipped cream, topped with himalayan salt. i love dark chocolate so i already knew that i was going to love this, especially between the contrast of the bitterness of the chocolate and salt.  it is perfect with coffee!

aside from chocolate, i am a big fan of cheesecake. so when they served their tiramisu cheesecake (php 195), i was really happy cause it has the texture that i want in a cheesecake although i think it could have a stronger coffee flavor to give it that legit "tiramisu" flavor. but overall i was delighted with their desserts!

they also serve hot and cold coffee and some frozen drinks which is also worth checking out.

i enjoyed the food and had a great time. although it might be a little bit pricey, you can really see that you get what you pay for. definitely a must-try restaurant whenever you are in the area.

"food shouldn't only fill your stomach but it should also fill your heart with every story that comes with it."
xx