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Tatler Dining Philippines

@tatlerdiningph

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Chef and Co-owner @restaurantcelera

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“I kept saying that I thought I was done—but now, I feel like I’m just scratching the surface.”

Less than two weeks before @restaurantcelera was named Tatler’s Best New Restaurant 2026 Philippines, chef Nicco Santos (@niccosantos) got candid about his craft. Asked what inspires him at Celera today, his answer was threefold:

“What propelled me to actually open this restaurant was my son. Second was seeing my team step up to the challenge. And thirdly, and I think most importantly, is finally realising that I have more to show—that I still have some things I have yet to uncover for myself.”

The new tasting menu he and chef Quenee Vilar (@queneevilar) have since introduced is proof they’ve got plenty left to give, from compressed watermelon that tastes of smoke and the sea to a dry-aged duck that steals the show.

Swipe to see what’s on Celera’s new tasting menu 👉🏽

Eager to try the new menu? Send this to someone to kickstart your dinner plans.

#TatlerDiningPH #TatlerTastes taken in Makati City by @tatlerdiningph

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8 days ago

A few behind-the-scenes stiils from our collaboration dinner with our friends from @soddenfrog 🐸

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the night so much fun. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you back for the next one ☄️

Photos by @shinichirofujii 📷 by @tatlerdiningph

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a month ago

@___parallel___ getaway with @sarahlahbati 📷 by @tatlerdiningph

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2 months ago

A few scenes from Singapore. Glimpses from the second leg of our collaboration with @metasingapore , from prep and service to the dining room.

A big thank you to the entire Meta team for welcoming us so warmly, taking such good care of us, and making our time in Singapore feel truly special. 🇸🇬 by @tatlerdiningph

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2 months ago

@metasingapore x @restaurantcelera
Pre-service snaps and now, service.
We are so honored to be here, thank you Restaurant Meta! taken in Meta Restaurant by @tatlerdiningph

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2 months ago

Chef Nicco Santos of Celera, Manila’s distinctive and refined high-end restaurant, draws inspiration from food born of the meeting of cultures: an ever-evolving cuisine that taps into the depth of Southeast Asian flavours, ingredients and techniques.

Santos and his team place a strong emphasis on provenance. They understand where their ingredients come from, who produces them and the stories behind them, with menus that intentionally recognise local farmers and artisans alongside international producers. Celera also operates with a zero-waste philosophy, continually finding ways to maximise the use of every ingredient through thoughtful menu development. Just as important is the culture being built within the restaurant: one in which the team feels supported and challenged, and is given the opportunity to grow.

Chef Nicco Santos shares the Filipino chefs who have influenced his path: Chef Kevin Navoa and Chef Thirdy Dolatre, Hapag; Chef Chele González, Gallery by Chele; Chef Rhea SyCip, The Fatted Calf and Flour Pot and Chef Don Baldosano, Linamnam.

Celera is currently undergoing the Food Made Good evaluation, using the process to assess its impact and set a clearer direction for what comes next. taken in Restaurant Celera by @tatlerdiningph

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3 months ago

Behind the scenes from last night collaboration with @genpenang and @restaurantaujardin 🤝 by @tatlerdiningph

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3 months ago

A few moments behind the scenes from last night’s collaboration with @genpenang and @restaurantaujardin , along with some of the dishes we were grateful to share.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support what we do at Celera. Your presence gives so much meaning to evenings like this, and keeps us excited to keep creating, growing, and giving you more reasons to return.

We can’t wait to welcome you back for the next one 🤗

Photographs by @sonnythakur 📷 taken in Restaurant Celera by @tatlerdiningph

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3 months ago

On July 6, Celera welcomes Chef Su Kim Hock of @restaurantaujardin and Chef Johnson Wong of @genpenang—both named among Tatler Best Malaysia’s 20 Best Restaurants of 2026 and currently ranked No. 39 and No. 89, respectively, on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. Au Jardin was also recognised as Tatler Best Malaysia’s Restaurant of the Year.

Both restaurants come from George Town, Penang, a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its vibrant culinary scene and distinctive blend of Malay, Chinese, and European influences.

gēn and Au Jardin present two distinct expressions of Malaysian cuisine, transforming nostalgic flavours and the country’s natural bounty through hyper-local ingredients and refined technique. Together with Celera’s contemporary Asian perspective, the three restaurants will create a collaborative menu inspired by the cultures and cuisines that have shaped George Town.

***sold out*** taken in Restaurant Celera by @tatlerdiningph

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4 months ago

First Round - Celera x Meta taken in Restaurant Celera by @tatlerdiningph

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5 months ago

We look back at some of the dishes from our collaboration with team @metasingapore last night and we’re reminded of why we love doing this.

Cooking alongside our friend Sun Kim @sunkimchi and welcoming so many familiar and new faces into the room made for a very special evening.

Thank you for joining us and allowing us to share a menu shaped by our individual journeys and perspectives through food.

We leave inspired, grateful, and looking forward to what’s next 🤗

Photos by the amazing @sonnythakur 📷 taken in Restaurant Celera by @tatlerdiningph

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5 months ago

On the 24th, we will welcome Chef Sun Kim @sunkimchi of Meta @metasingapore —an admired peer and a longtime friend. Meta currently holds Two Michelin Stars and has been recognized with Two Knives from The Best Chef Awards.

What began as a connection built on mutual respect now takes form in a menu shaped by our individual paths, bringing together two contemporary Asian perspectives.

Meta, short for metamorphosis, is defined by change—a philosophy we both share in our own journeys as chefs. This dinner becomes a reflection of that ongoing evolution, brought together for one evening at Celera.

For one evening in Manila.
We hope you can join us.

**sold out 🙏🏻 taken in Restaurant Celera by @tatlerdiningph

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5 months ago