The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
A new Korean-American restaurant – WEST 32 – has opened along Kalayaan Avene, Makati’s central food and bar district.
WEST 32, the latest project of Notorious Concepts, aims to bring the well-loved Korean taste to the Philippines. Its name was inspired by New York City’s Korea-Town street, WEST 32.
The concept of the restaurant came from Brooklyn Industries Group’s CEO Jeff Oh and Notorious Concepts’ CEO James Thomas’ experience growing up in the famous street.
Jeff and James have been life-long best friends who described West 32 street as the strip where they felt most at home with their Korean heritage in one of America’s biggest melting pot of culture and race that is New York City.
The two friends lived most of their lives as immigrants in America. They discovered they had the same vision as young businessmen when they came to the Philippines.
Jeff and James wanted to build a place that resonates the concept of home for anyone who visits – leading to the creation of WEST 32.
To pay homage to the iconic street, Poblacion’s WEST 32 boasts of trendy interiors that complement the dishes and cocktails that are prepared in a contemporary fashion.
The restaurant sits at the first floor of the building where the Notorious’ bar concept HQ is located. The edgy space is aimed to be the new hotspot of Manila’s trendiest personalities which can intimately seat 32 people for every round of dinner and drinks.
The menu boasts of a wide variety of items that will surely satisfy the metro’s foodies.
Patrons can choose from 7 appetizers such as Corn Chi-Jiu Skillet, Crab Caviar Gamja Jeon and Rosé Tteokbokki.
The main course includes crowd-favorites like Chicken and Beef Bulgogi, The West 32 Ssamgyeopsal, Beef Belly Kimchi Fried Rice and Stone Bowl Bibimbap, among others.
After dinner, patrons can select their drinks from the menu that features an all-Soju based cocktail list. Current best-seller “That’s The One” and Korean Negroni are highly recommended for a night-cap or even a pre-game before a fun night out.
WEST 32 is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5 PM – 1 AM.
Guests are encouraged to make reservations before coming. Walk-ins are welcome but subject to table availability. Reservations can be made by messaging their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/west32poblacion) or Instagram page (@west32poblacion)