Your Local
Some weeks ago, my cousin who lives in Amsterdam was in the country to visit the family. She was staying in Makati and we wanted to catch up over good food and maybe coffee. Since I've been hearing numerous good reviews about a small, new hipster-approved restaurant over at Esteban St., I tried to bring my cousin here.
No luck though, the place was packed and I can't make reservations. We went to Damaso instead, which was awesome, but I couldn't help but feel like I missed something.
One Saturday evening, after a day wedding preparations and supplier hunting, my bride-to-be friend and I hopped over the empty Makati neighborhood and checked out the secret entrance to Your Local. We arrived five minutes to six, luckily got in at 6, and as I looked around at 6:15 PM, all the walk in tables were filled out and the rest were lost to reservations. You can say we were lucky.
My first thoughts were that of awe --- it was a true hipster's paradise, from the vintage knickknacks strewn artfully, like old bureaus, an old phone. The interiors were mismatched wooden chairs that seems all the rage now in third wave coffee shops {which I actually like!}. The walls were similar to New York exposed brick vibe but with a more gray tone. There were issues of Monocle around, which I didn't get to read but will come back for.
What I loved so much was Your Local's minimalist, well-curated design. It was far from tacky, which Manila has a lot of. It reminded me of my other favorite restaurant, Wildflour, at BGC, which had wooden interiors and typewritten menus. While I am in no foodie, Your Local's short, well chosen menu is much appreciated in a world of too many choices. So I chose pomelo salad and salmon:
Pomelo Salad {PHP 190 + SC}
was an explosion of flavors, my friend and I just exclaimed a good thing after another. Your Local was able to capture the nutty, cilantro concoction of a Thai salad. It was one of the best salads I've had in this country. I thought it was so awesome that I thought to myself that I will never waste my time ever again eating food that's not good.
Smoked Salmon Donburi {PHP 390 +10% service charge}. Twice cooked salmon, mentaiko, ebiko on roast corn and shitake black rice.
This was a clear, runaway winner, as the salmon kept melting inside my mouth, and the crispy texture of black rice created a beautiful contrast. The servings are good for sharing {we had another dish but I have no photo} and only if you're light eaters like me and my friend.
Overall: Your Local is the kind of restaurant that attracts the discerning, quiet eaters with no penchant for fast food {and noisy fast food ambiance}. There's no parking, as it is pretty much everywhere in Makati or Fort but weekends may be a better time to go. It's for the picky eater, the one who cares what design is surrounding him/her and the one with a taste for healthy dishes.
Your Local is located at GF Universal LMS Building, 106 Esteban Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Email: hello@yourlocal.ph
Telephone: +632 823-6206
Mobile: +63 917 810-9002
Instagram: @YourLocalPH
Website: http://yourlocal.ph
Facebook: Your Local
Monday to Friday: 11.00am - 2.00pm, 6.00pm - 10.00pm | Saturday: 6.00pm - 10.00pm