Sabor y Vino was the perfect place to take the international travel blogger friends we met at Travel Blogger EXchange (TBEX) in Kazakhstan. It serves good, chef-driven European food in the grungy, buzzing neighborhood of Poblacion, right where a night out begins. We went on a tango night, and Chef Gel served us his European comfort food while we caught up over red wine. The name means “flavor and wine,” and the restaurant has a cozy taverna vibe. It’s near the popular Handlebar in Poblacion, which makes it a great jump-off point for dinner with tourists or balikbayan friends: familiar food before an adventurous night out.
about
Sabor y Vino Tavern is a European-inspired restaurant and wine bar at 33 Polaris St. in Makati’s Poblacion/Bel-Air area. Chef Gel and his co-owner opened it in 2024, and they designed the cozy, wine-lined space themselves. The Spanish, Italian and French menu includes croquetas mixtas, gambas al ajillo, osso buco and Basque burnt cheesecake, all made to go with a curated wine list.
Sabor y Vino Tavern
📍 33 Polaris St., Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
📞 +63 998 536 8466
🌐 saboryvino.ph
📸 @saboryvinoph
👍 facebook.com/SaborYVinoPH
Five nights a week the tavern also hosts social dances: tango on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and ballroom on Thursdays. Guests are invited to join the dancers on the floor between courses and glasses of wine, which makes it a lively pick for date nights, birthdays and group dinners.
Meet the Chef: Chef Gel is the co-founder, owner and head chef of Sabor y Vino Tavern. He graduated from the Global Culinary & Hospitality Academy and worked in the kitchens of Eastwood Richmond, Marco Polo and Manila Marriott. In 2018 he started Chef Dong Food Delivery, which also offered private-chef services and catering, and in 2024 he opened Sabor y Vino. “I create Sabor y Vino the same way I create a dish — with intention, balance and character,” he says.
We tried Sabor y Vino Tavern’s Curated European Lunch Set, which is made for slow lunches, long conversations and refined European comfort food. There are four sets to choose from: Classic European Comfort (₱849) for something easy and familiar, Seafood Indulgence (₱1,299) for a lighter feast, Spanish Feast (₱1,349), my personal favorite because of the Arros Negre, and Italian Favorites (₱1,549) for classic pasta and antipasti. It’s served daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and the last order is taken at 1:30 PM.
CLASSIC EUROPEAN COMFORT (₱849)
Offers familiar flavors made with generous ingredients. Golden croquetas, filled with smoky chorizo or rich Manchego, open the meal, followed by a crisp Caesar salad and a silky tomato velouté finished with aged parmesan. The Chicken Supreme is the most creative course: pan-seared and served with mushroom velouté, sautéed greens and whipped potatoes. A neatly torched crème brûlée closes the meal. For a classic five-course European menu, it’s very good value.
Croquetas (Chorizo or Queso Manchego)
Golden, crisp croquettes with a creamy, savory center—filled with smoky chorizo or rich Manchego cheese.
Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in a classic Caesar dressing, finished with parmesan and crunchy croutons.
Cream Tomato Soup
Silky tomato velouté enriched with cream and aged parmesan, layered with aromatic herbs.
Chicken Supreme
Pan-seared chicken breast with creamy mushroom velouté, sautéed greens, and whipped potatoes.
Crème Brûlée
Silky vanilla custard topped with a perfectly torched caramelized sugar crust.
SEAFOOD INDULGENCE (₱1,299)
A lighter, more delicate course of the sea. Lightly battered calamari arrives crisp and clean, followed by a bright Sabor Salad of arugula, goat cheese and walnuts in passion fruit dressing. Clam chowder adds a creamy, comforting interlude. The centerpiece is baked salmon on a silky green pea purée with classic béarnaise, and a well-made tiramisu brings the meal to a satisfying close.
Calamari
Lightly battered squid, fried until crisp and served with a tangy dipping sauce.
Sabor Salad
Arugula with goat cheese, walnuts, and fresh fruits, drizzled with passion fruit dressing.
Clam Chowder
Hearty and creamy soup loaded with tender clams and subtle herb notes.
Baked Salmon
Baked salmon served with silky green pea purée and classic béarnaise sauce.
Tiramisu
Classic Italian dessert layered with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream.
SPANISH FEAST | ₱1,349
The Spanish Feast set (₱1,349) is my personal favorite. A fresh Forest Salad of mango, grapes and mushrooms in citrus vinaigrette opens the meal, followed by a creative green pea soup, smooth and lightly sweet. The highlight is the Arròs Negre: squid ink rice slowly simmered in seafood stock with tender squid and sofrito, finished with garlicky allioli. A creamy Basque burnt cheesecake with crème anglaise and mango coulis brings the meal to a rich close.
Beef Salpicao
Seared US beef tenderloin sautéed in garlic and butter, finished with a rich, savory sauce and served with toasted baguette.
Forest Salad
Fresh greens with mango, grapes, mushrooms, and crisp vegetables, finished with a bright citrus vinaigrette.
Green Peas Soup
Smooth and lightly sweet soup made from fresh green peas.
Arros Negre Ambullioli
Spanish squid ink rice slowly simmered with seafood stock, infused with tender squid and aromatic sofrito, finished with a rich, garlicky allioli.
Basque Burnt Cheesecake
Rich, caramelized cheesecake served with crème anglaise, mango coulis, and crisp tuile.
ITALIAN FAVORITES | ₱1,549
A classic Italian course built around antipasti. Prosciutto-wrapped bocconcini with arugula, cherry tomatoes, pistachios and balsamic glaze open the meal, followed by a Caprese salad with basil, pesto vinaigrette and balsamic glaze. A velvety mushroom soup with cream, butter and truffle oil comes next. A creamy salted caramel gelato, the Caramello Salato, gives the meal a balanced sweet-salty finish.
Prosciutto Rolls
Prosciutto-wrapped bocconcini with arugula, cherry tomatoes, pistachios, and balsamic glaze.
Caprese Salad
Fresh tomatoes and mozzarella with basil, finished with pesto vinaigrette, and a balsamic glaze.
Mushroom Soup
Velvety mushroom soup enriched with cream, butter, and truffle oil, finished with aromatic herbs.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti tossed in a silky egg and aged cheese emulsion, with crisp bacon, aromatic garlic, and freshly cracked black pepper.
Caramello Salato
Creamy gelato infused with rich salted caramel, finished with a smooth, balanced sweet-salty depth.
a la carte
Pizza con Cipolle Caramellate e Capra ₱730
Caramelized onions, goat cheese, and balanced sweetness
The pizzas are a pleasant surprise. The dough has real depth of flavor, with a crisp, blistered edge and a soft, tender center, and the toppings are paired with care. At an average of about ₱745 per pizza, they’re a good option for sharing before a night out in Poblacion.
Rostizado Con Pollo ₱725
Roasted chicken with Spanish rice, gravy, French beans, and paprika-spiced seasoning
The roast chicken is a comforting highlight, roasted until tender and warmly spiced, and the rich, deeply savory gravy brings the whole plate together. It’s also one of the better-value mains on the menu.
Altozano Tempranillo ₱1,425
Structured, bold red with rich tannins.
Red wines have a median price of ₱1,950 a bottle, and the list is well curated, with labels from Spain, Italy and France. There aren’t many good spots for wine in Poblacion, and Sabor y Vino is a great place to start.
final thoughts
Sabor y Vino is a pleasant surprise and a welcome addition as Poblacion’s dining scene levels up. It feels like a good Gen X spot for long conversations over comfort food and wine, with the occasional introduction to tango or ballroom on the side. There’s no private room, but the al fresco area can be turned into a private enclave for celebrations. I love the pizza, the paella, the roast chicken and the desserts. Congrats to Chef Gel on his delicious European comfort food, a great way to treat balikbayan friends or tourists before a night out in Poblacion.
Sabor y Vino Tavern
📍 33 Polaris St., Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
📞 +63 998 536 8466
🌐 saboryvino.ph
📸 @saboryvinoph
👍 facebook.com/SaborYVinoPH
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Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to our friends from Sabor Y Vino for hosting us in Poblacion.
p.s. there’s good parking in front of the building and in the basement. Budget about ₱200 for parking for the night.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Sabor y Vino Tavern is at 33 Polaris St., Bel-Air, in the Poblacion area of Makati City. It is near the popular Handlebar bar.
Chef-driven European comfort food, mostly Spanish, Italian and French. The menu includes paella, pizza, pasta, steaks and tapas like croquetas, with a curated wine list from Spain, Italy and France.
Chef Gel is the co-founder, owner and head chef. He worked in Manila hotels and ran his own private-chef business before opening Sabor y Vino in 2024.
Sabor y Vino hosts social dances five nights a week: tango on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and ballroom on Thursdays. Guests can join the dancers on the floor.
The Curated European Lunch Set has four options: Classic European Comfort (₱849), Seafood Indulgence (₱1,299), Spanish Feast (₱1,349) and Italian Favorites (₱1,549). It is served daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and the last order is at 1:30 PM.
Pizzas range from ₱610 to ₱885, averaging about ₱745. Mains start at ₱530, and premium steaks cost more. Bottles of red wine have a median price of ₱1,950, and house wine is ₱350. Prices include 12% VAT but not the 10% service charge.
There is no private room, but the al fresco area can be set up as a private space for celebrations.
Yes, in front of the building and in the basement. Budget about ₱200 for parking for the night.
Reserve through their website, saboryvino.ph, or call or WhatsApp +63 998 536 8466.