After sharing his plans for Maya Eatery, a modern Filipino restaurant that will be his first solo project, former Bivouac Ciderworks chef DJ Tangalin is already showcasing his food in the Miramar area where he and business partner Archie Soria have taken over Sarap Filipino Kitchen.
Opened last summer, Sarap served straightforward Filipino classics. Now renamed Gaya Gaya, the eatery unveils a new menu tonight that features Tangalin’s takes on quintessential favorites, from shareable plates of bicol express and crispy pata to rice bowls topped with chicken tocino and beef tapa, as well as some signature dishes from his tenure at Bivouac including adobo fried chicken with ube waffles, award-winning tuna poke, and triple pork sandwich with pulled pork lechon, homemade longanisa, and roasted pork belly. Tangalin says he also wants to establish a significant bread and pastry program to showcase the full range of Filipino sweets and treats.
Currently operating from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Gaya Gaya will eventually be all open all day, offering a bar menu between lunch and dinner; Tangalin says he plans to focus on beer from Miramar’s large contingent of breweries. The restaurant also features a well-priced brunch buffet on weekends; this Sunday, a special Mother’s Day brunch will be $30 for adults and $15 for children.
The chef told Eater that he expects to be able to announce a location for Maya Eatery soon, and says he is developing other concepts that will also spotlight Filipino cuisine.
Gaya Gaya Menu by EaterSD on Scribd