Everyone knows the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." This doesn’t just apply to books. Whether we like it or not, we often base our opinions on something or someone on first impressions. This is especially prevalent in retail and dining, where a logo is expected to convey the spirit of a product. There are some cases, though, where what’s on the inside is a delightful surprise.
One such find is Salt & Pepper, a casual dining restaurant formerly located in Salcedo Village, Makati, but has since moved to its current location along EDSA, in the same building as the Play & Display showroom, where both establishments share an entrance. “We named the restaurant Salt & Pepper after the two most common things you find on the dinner table,” says General Manager Gina Llamanzares. “It sounds fun, not formal.”
The restaurant’s logo, which features whimsically drawn salt and pepper shakers, makes it seem mysterious in terms of ambiance and the cuisine it serves. But folks who walk inside, prepared to try whatever the restaurant brings them are more often than not, blown away.
The restaurant is elegant, its interiors a mix of prints and modern furniture, an apt and diplomatic setting for a restaurant that specializes in Italian, Mediterranean, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. “We wanted a restaurant that serves the food that we love, all of them authentic,” Gina says. “We have brick oven pizzas, and we’re known for our kebab platter and chicken tandoori. We’ve been around for a few years and our quality has always been
consistent.”
The people behind Salt & Pepper are well-traveled, and one of the results of their wanderlust are the traditional recipes that have made their way into the restaurant’s menu. “We have chefs who were trained abroad,” Gigi says, “But as much as possible, we rely on our own recipes, whose sources really come from their respective areas, or have travelled there.”
