XO 46 Heritage Bistro in Makati: A True Filipino Dining Experience
XO 46 Heritage Bistro in Makati is considered to be a showroom of Filipino cuisine. The restaurant is the place to go if you want to experience Filipino culture and heritage through food. XO stands for extraordinary, telling of the restaurant’s offerings, while 46 commemorates the year the Philippines gained independence from the Americans (1946).
IMAGE from XO 46 Heritage Bistro
Founded in 2010, the restaurant was established by Andrew and Sandee Masigan, who are also the owners of The Advent Manila Hospitality Group in the Philippines.
IMAGE from XO 46 Heritage Bistro
Calling on his family’s culinary treasure trove of dishes, Andrew spent a year in intensive research and development. He also borrowed a page from the dinner service at his aunt’s house: white gloves, beautiful tablescapes, and a distinctly “honorific” style of service that XO46 is now known for.
The restaurant’s interiors transport you back to the Spanish colonial period. Everything inside speaks the best of the Philippines – from the locally made table, chairs, accents, and decorations to the food and the glaring portraits of the Philippine presidents hanging on the wall. The restaurant celebrates tradition and the old slow way of things.
IMAGE from XO 46 Heritage Bistro
XO 46’s menu is a tribute to various Filipino fare from different regions of the country. Dishes are meticulously prepared using traditional methods and ingredients to ensure an authentic taste that mirrors the historical roots of our cooking.
For starters, try the Empanadang Bilbao Ala Vigan or Ukoy (Filipino-style shrimp and vegetable fritters), both of which can be savored by adults and kids alike. You might also want to order Binawang Na Sotanghon At Manok if you’re looking for something that’s a bit heavy as it is a noddle dish but still light enough to keep your hunger at bay for the main course.
Binawang Na Sotanghon At Manok / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
One of its most popular item is its take on Sisig. XO 46’s version has a distinctive crunch, thanks to the crispy, charred bits that complements the tenderness of the other meat parts. The acidity from the calamansi cuts through the richness, and the heat from the chili peppers adds a kick that complements the creaminess of the mayonnaise.
Sisig / XO 46 Heritage Bistro
For veggie lovers, try XO 46’s Pinakbet, a dish from Ilocos made with mixed vegetables such as squash, eggplant, okra, and bitter gourd, sauteed with bagoong and pork bits. It’s savory and slightly salty, with distinct bitterness that is not overwhelming but rather well-balanced by the other ingredients that perfectly complements steamed white rice.
Pinakbet / XO 46 Heritage Bistro
Their most popular item is Kare Kareng Crispy Tadyang which is made with crispy beef ribs, fresh vegetables, and a creamy peanut sauce served separately in a bowl, with bagoong (fermented fish paste), the ubiquitous side for Kare-Kare.
For a true Filipino dining experience, head to X0 46 to get a glimpse of Filipino culture and heritage through delicious food.
