VASK MANILA‘s San Sebastian Weekend Brunch features eat-all-you-can Spanish Tapas with Cochinillo and Paella, and drink-all-you-can Kalimotxo. It’s like the best of San Sebastian Cuisine every weekend lunch.
The food is cooked and served in small batches, unlike a typical buffet where everything is cooked in advance and displayed the entire time. The Spanish food selection is well-curated and the kitchen ensures that foodies will rave about each item.
Here’s a photo essay of our yummy San Sebastian Weekend Brunch experience at Vask…
Vask is hidden on the 5th floor of Clipp Center, 11th Avenue corner 39th Street, in Bonifacio Global City.
Kids are welcome, especially during Sunday Brunch when most families go out to eat. 🙂
TAPAS
The tapas are brought out of the kitchen in small quantities to ensure their freshness.
★ Croquetas
This is one of our favorites, with a very milky and soft inside. Yes, you can eat all you want. 🙂
You can start off with the different Pinxtos, which are just various meat toppings on top of bread.
★ Pintxos
We love the tuna cheeks! The kitchen surprises you with different flavors every time.
★ Boquerones
My 3-year old son, Raphael loved every little bit of these fresh anchovies in olive oil…
…best eaten with the bread.
Carnitas
This meat in Phyllo triangles was just OK.
Empanada
Their empanada dough needs improvement.
★ Pulpo ala Gallega
Nothing beats eat-all-you-can octopus cooked just right and seasoned lightly. It’s no surprise this station gets quickly wiped out.
★ Rabas
It’s like calamari popcorn–crunchy but also with the right chewiness. Very addicting.
Patatas Bravas
We stayed away from the potatoes so that we won’t feel full easily.
Tortilla
Egg omelette with potatoes cut pizza-style. We avoided this because it also has potato.
Sautéed Vegetable
Make sure to get these vegetables instead of the potatoes.
The plates are small, but each individual dish is superb. Make sure to go early so you can take your time with the tapas.
Order the Kalimotxo, the Basque Sangria, which pairs perfectly with the tapas. Start with the white version for the tapas, then move to the red with the cochinillo.
Soup of the Day
We were served chickpea soup. It was OK, but there could have been better soup options.
The mini cheese bread was cheesy and crunchy, and the perfect companion for the soup.
★ Callos
Thick and flavorful–one of the best callos we’ve had. Make sure to get from the fresh, hot batch.
Pork Terrine
This is an acquired taste. I still can’t appreciate the chunks of fat in the terrine.
Kalimotxo White (White wine, Mango, Orange, Peach schnapps, Lemon)
Fruity and refreshing, perfect for stimulating your appetite.
Trays of fried oysters are served with wasabi mayo–sarap!
COCHINILO & PAELLA
The highlights of the brunch are the cochnillo and the authentic Basque paella.
★ Seafood Paella
I love the seafood paella, with chunks of tuna cheeks that taste like steak. The flavor of the paella varies per brunch, so make sure to call ahead if you want to find out what the paella flavor for the day is.
They use a locally sourced Bomba-like rice. Basque paella is normally dry, but still flavorable (in contrast to the wet paella that Filipinos are used to).
The best part is the caramelization of the sauce with the rice that can only be done with the proper technique. This is not the burnt rice or tutong that you find in normal paella.
Thanks to Spanish Chef Roberto Hernandez for creating an authentic Basque Paella in Manila. He is set to open ArroZeria, a paella restuarant in Century City Mall.
★ Cochinillo
The cochinillo is sous-vided into really soft, flavorful meat.
It is then roasted, with a half portion served in small batches so that you get the freshest taste and the crispiest skin from the cochinillo.
The best parts are the rib portions. 🙂
Hands down, the best Spanish buffet I’ve had recently.
Kalimotxo Red (Red Wine, Cranberry, Orange, Casis, Casis, Cola)
Get the red for the main course, which is much stronger and a better match for the meat.
Finally, a complete family lunch with our 4 boys. I like restaurants that don’t discriminate against kids. 🙂
In between plates, check out this hologram…
…or have a selfie with Darth Vader.
DESSERTS
The desserts were awesome! You can choose 2 from the VASK Desserts Menu for your group.
★ Caramel Chocolate Lava (P295). Dulce Valhrona Chocolate, Financier Crumbs, Coconut Ice Cream, Mint, Pine Nuts.
Not your usual chocolate lava. Enjoy a generous serving of caramel that combines well with the chocolate and the coconut ice cream. The pine nuts and mint were a good addition to remove the suya factor.
★ Tarta de Calamansi Deconstruida (P250). Custard, Ice Cream, Calamansi, Oatmeal Crumbs, Macarrons.
Order this if you like a more tangy finish and mini macarons.
★ Quesos y Texturas (P350). Warm Coeur de Lion Cheese, Cream Cheese Ice Cream, Crumbs, Honey.
Equally good with a soft, cheesy center and cheese chunks, paired with creamy cheese ice cream.
★ Torrija (P210). Brioche, Milk, Anise Ice Cream.
The best among the rest! Buttery-soft brioche served pudding-style, with milk and anise ice cream.
Indeed, the Best San Sebastian Weekend Brunch in Manila!
For tapas, we recommend the Pintxos, Croquetas, Rabas, Pulpo, and Callos, then go for the Cochinillo and Seafood Paella for your mains. Pair the food with their Kalimotxo. Finally, end with the awesome signature desserts of Vask.
Remember, you can eat as many as you want! This is best enjoyed with family and friends who love to eat, too. 🙂
Budget about P1,500/head, or P1,800 with drinks.
Make sure to reserve beforehand because the place can only accommodate a few groups.
SAN SEBASTIAN WEEKENDS @ VASK MODERN TAPAS & GASTRONOMIC CUISINE
5th Floor, Clipp Center, 11th Avenue Corner, 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
(Beside CVC Law Building. Near The Goose Station and St. Michael the Archangel Church in BGC)
Telephone: +632 217-6563
Mobile: +63 920 974-4742 or +63 917 806-5292
Email: ask@vaskmanila.com
Facebook: VASK Modern Tapas & Gastronomic Cuisine
Twitter: @VaskManila
Instagram: @VaskManila
Brunch is availabe Saturday and Sunday: 11.30am to 2.30pm
San Sebastian Weekend Brunch – P1,395+
+ Free-flowing white and red Kalimotxo (Basque Country Sangria) – P299+
Kids 12 yrs old below – P900+/head
Kids 3ft below are free
Note: VAT inclusive, exclusive of +10% service charge
★ – Highly Recommended!
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of our blogger friend, Jean Fernando Salonga of Trip or Treats. I wrote this article with my own biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. Be careful when you let your kids play with this see-saw because there’s no padding when they fall down.
I’m eyeing Vask for our wedding reception, given the good reviews. I’m not sure though if the place could fit a 100 persons.