Diners in Pampanga can now enjoy the all-day classics and twists of home-grown comfort Filipino restaurant Manam as it opened its 25th branch at the SM City Clark this May.
The opening of this shop at the country’s culinary center, Pampanga, is the latest milestone in the journey of The Moment Group, which opened the very first Manam in Makati in 2013.
The first shop was a space for diners to feel at home and find comfort in shared meals of familiar and reimagined Filipino fare.
With the opening of the shop at SM City Clark, which offers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery, The Moment Group has extended the sense of homeyness through food to more diners around the country.
With 10 years and over 20 shops under its belt, it continues to make strides towards this vision by bringing its unique brand of dining and hospitality to new neighborhoods and destinations in and out of Metro Manila.
A place to discover new paboritos
Manam SM City Clark is Manam’s 25th shop and 3rd regional outpost. It serves the restaurant’s full, supersized menu of distinctly Filipino flavors presented in two major parts: Classics and Twists.
Classics include Manam’s renditions of traditional and familiar Filipino recipes, such as the rich and savory Kare-kare with Oxtail, the crunchy and creamy Gising Gising, and the scrumptious Crispy Pata with Garlic Chili Bits. There’s also the House Crispy Sisig, Manam’s homage to the Kapampangan favorite, made with extra crispy chunks of pork topped with a special sour-savory sauce and chicharon bits.
Twists, on the other hand, are reinvented takes on recognizable flavors, such as the Sinigang na Beef Short Rib and Watermelon, which contains bits of watermelon that lend a mild sweetness to the traditionally sour broth.
This side of the Manam menu also includes the restaurant’s famous Ube + Sago Pampalamig, a tasty shake made with purple yam, coconut cream, and chewy tapioca pearls that not only makes a great companion to any Manam ulam, but also makes for a delicious dessert that can be enjoyed on its own.
Not to be missed is the Crispy Pancit Palabok, Manam’s take on the classic noodle dish, made of crunchy glass noodles that “melt” when doused with hot, thick, classic palabok shrimp sauce, a favorite among diners not only for its flavor, but also for its unique presentation—it’s gained popularity on social media and has even been featured in New York City-based online publication, Insider.
Manam SM City Clark carries the restaurant’s full minatamis at kakanin selection, featuring iconic Filipino pastries and desserts which, in true Manam fashion, have been reimagined for the modern Filipino diner.
These include the wonderfully sweet and tangy Calamansi Tart, the delightful Buko Pie, the crowd favorite Puto Bumbong with Muscovado Butter, and three kinds of Bibingka.
Save for the pampalamigs or shakes, pang-almusal, and minatamis at kakanin, all of Manam’s dishes come in three sizes (small, medium, and large), so there’s sure to be a serving fit for every party size,. from solo diners to large groups and families. Guests can enjoy all of these and more in a bright and cozy dining space decked with Manam’s signature collages against a palette of teal, brown, and brass. The shop’s color scheme and artworks mirror the brand’s warm, contemporary vibe, creating the ideal setting for leisurely and memorable brunches, lunches, meriendas, and dinners.
“We are always so happily surprised by how we have been received each time we’ve opened our doors in different neighborhoods. We are excited to welcome diners in Clark this time around and to give them a taste of our own menu of classics and reimagined recipes, which have become favorites of both local and visiting diners across Manam’s various locations,” says Abba Napa, restaurateur and Moment co-founder.
Championing Filipino cuisine
In the process of innovating dishes, as well as the manner in which they are presented, Manam has become a go-to for families and friends seeking a uniquely malinamnam and modern Filipino diningexperience. It has also been hailed by multiple publications as a must-visit for balikbayans and foreigners alike. As the restaurant embarks on a new decade, it remains steadfast in its mission to uphold Philippine cuisine by introducing new and different ways to enjoy it.
Manam’s foray into a region with such a rich and respected cultural heritage like Pampanga is annimportant and welcome step towards this goal.
“We’ve been so fortunate to share meals and create memories with our patrons throughout these first 10 years. We look forward to that happening for us and our guests in Clark as well,” shares Napa. “It’s quite an honor for Manam to be part of this burgeoning community that’s the center of tourism and culture in the region. To be able to support that with the dining experience we champion would be a dream come true.”
