There are days when you’d like to have some steak, but your eating buddies crave for different things—pizza, pasta, burger, cheesesteak. Here’s the good news! Come August, you could go to just one place to enjoy all these as serial restaurateur Elbert Cuenca officially opens his newest dining spot Elbert’s Collective in L.P. Leviste Street, Makati. Yes, right where his pizzeria used to be.
As the name suggests, it’s all of Cuenca’s well-loved restaurant concepts in one spot. So if you miss the pizza and pasta at Elbert’s Pizzeria, the sandwiches at Elbert’s Cheesesteak, the Steak and Eggs at Elbert’s Diner, or you want to have some of the food offerings from Elbert’s Steak Room or the dearly departed Elbert’s Upstairs Bar, they’ll be available at this casual dining haunt.
ANCX had the chance to take a sneak peek at the new resto, which is still currently on its “private passive soft opening.” Elbert tells us the food is ready and the interior is 90% complete. They are just fine-tuning a few details to make sure all the kinks are addressed before its grand coming out party in August.
For the design, Cuenca opted for a Memphis-themed restaurant this time, courtesy of famed architect Noel Bernardo—who designed all of Elbert’s restaurants. It may have a strong retro aesthetic but you won’t miss the contemporary feel. There are comfy couches that can seat four and tables that can be rearranged to accommodate a solo diner or a big group. A cozy bar with a wide selection of booze welcomes guests right at the entrance.
With Elbert’s Collective’s diverse menu offerings, it naturally demanded a big kitchen. Chef Adrian Cuenca, Elbert’s brother, tells us it’s the most challenging undertaking he’s gotten into in his culinary career. Which makes him all the more excited to formally open.
Once it’s fully operational, the café/bistro/pizza joint will be open from 11AM to 11PM Mondays to Thursdays, and 11AM to 1AM on Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Collective will be offering breakfast starting at 7AM.
“We’ve taken the lunch specials from the Steak Room and the food at the Upstairs Bar and brought them here,” says Cuenca, the restaurateur. In the coming weeks, Elbert’s Collective will be adding more items on the menu such as Fish & Chips, Grilled Prawns, Porchetta, and Beef Stroganoff. For now, all we can do is wait.
Photos courtesy of Cyrene de la Rosa