Black Olive Cerveceria at Capitol Commons

After a nine-year hiatus in the US, my best friend came home last November. "There are so many restaurants!!!" was her answer when I asked her what she thinks of Manila, Manila now.

I most definitely agree with her observation. Manila's deluged with food establishments, so much so, that it takes my boys and I roughly 20 minutes to decide where to go. I welcome the change and the variety though.

Black Olive Cerveceria at Capitol Commons

Located at the eastern part of the metro, a new commercial community center houses a new restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine: Black Olive Cerveceria. Chef Carlo Miguel - who developed a good reputation not just by creating sumptuous dishes, but by losing tons of weight in the Biggest Loser Asia - crafted the menu. He, apparently, has a resting heart rate of 43 bpm! In your face, Björn Borg! We have a contender here!

Squid Ink Battered Prawns with Jalapeño-Honey Aioli Black Olive Cerveceria

Squid Ink Battered Prawns with Jalapeño-Honey Aioli PhP 390

I'm gonna start by playing favorites. The Squid Ink Battered Prawns with Jalapeño-Honey Aioli sauce is simply superb. A crispy coating gives way to fresh, juicy prawns. The sauce definitely amplifies the flavor in an addicting level!

Burrata with Prosciutto, Walnuts, Marinated Onions, and Olive Oil Black Olive Cerveceria

Burrata with Prosciutto, Walnuts, Marinated Onions, and Olive Oil PhP 485

Burrata with Prosciutto, Walnuts, Marinated Onions, and Olive Oil is the second tapas I truly enjoyed. It's quite a complex mixture of flavor and texture, but definitely worked well.

Grilled Octopus, Green Romesco, Black Olive Salsa Black Olive Cerveceria

Grilled Octopus, Green Romesco, Black Olive Salsa PhP 230

The thinly sliced octopus was slightly chewy but devoid of the rubbery texture. The zesty and fresh salsa plus the strong flavor of the green romesco zinged up the whole dish.

Crispy Boneless Chicken Wings with Mojo Picon Black Olive Cerveceria

Crispy Boneless Chicken Wings with Mojo Picon PhP 280

I would happily pair this with any beer. First off, I like the fact that the chicken wings are boneless. It's more about convenience that being lazy. Nah. I'm just really lazy. The mojo picon made all the difference. It yielded a subtle spice that made the fried chicken wings delectable.

Grilled Porkchop with Balsamic Figs and Mashed Sweet Potato Black Olive Cerveceria

Grilled Porkchop with Balsamic Figs and Mashed Sweet Potato PhP 480

The porkchop was definitely tender and bombarded with good flavors. The buttery texture and sweet taste of the mashed potato created a heavenly supplement.

Risotto Verde PhP 605

I find the Risotto Verde just fantastic! The juicy crispy-skinned salmon mixed with the rich, creamy, and tender risotto plus the salmon tartare is delicious and very filling.

Porchetta with Rosemary Roast Potato and Caponata Black Olive Cerveceria

Porchetta with Rosemary Roast Potato and Caponata PhP 490

Porchetta is not for the faint of heart...literally. If you've never backed down on fats and welcome them in your life with gusto, then this dish will truly make your belly scream with glee. The tender meat developed a really good flavor and the crispy, crackling skin is just divine.

Brick Oven Pizza PhP 495

Heaped on this BOP are some of the best pizza ingredients that I adore: prosciutto, arugula, and mozzarella. The toppings were added liberally, making it very tasty. It's not overly greasy and crispy crust was perfect cooked.