Meet Stephanie Zubiri’s Baby: Atelier 317 Restaurant

I’m not really experimental when it comes to food. I am loyal to what I’m used to and learn to try new restaurants mainly through word of mouth or how convincingly good the photos posted by those I follow on Instagram. I’ve heard about Atelier 317. It was once a sort-of-a-secret-(guerilla) retaurant that can seat about a dozen people. You get to dine if you inquire and the hostess would graciously accommodate your inquiry. Sadly, when my husband inquired for one date night the place was already booked. Luckily, I was able to visit Atelier 317 at its new home in Palma St. sans the date with Mr. GJG.

The look of the restaurant outside reminds me of cafes in Paris. Oui? 🙂

Perrier anyone?

“Atelier” – as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is an artist’s or designer studio or workroom, or simply a workshop. Atelier 317 is a place of creative creation, where people can grow closer together over some amazing comfort food, with a unique worldly spin executed with quality ingredients. We are not bound by one type of cuisine and in fact draw inspiration from across the globe. Atelier 317 is not just for special occasions, but it is a place where special happens every day. We are honest, straightforward and love to work with other people. We want teach and be taught. Create and collaborate. Strengthen old ties and found new friendships through the clinking of glasses and the breaking of bread.

Upon entering inside Atelier 317, you’ll immediately be welcomed by the bar. The interior has a hint of quirkiness with a bit of an eclectic yet chic feel to it. I’m actually diggin’ it. The restaurant can comfortably seat 36 people inside and about 16 people outside. It can also be booked for exclusive use. P15,000 consumable for lunch and P25,000 consumable for dinner.

Look, old sewing machine repurposed as one of the table’s base.

Atelier 317 opened last November 2012 in their new address but they started with the guerilla restaurant in the latter part of2011. In French it’s called table d’hôte, where you’d eat in someone’s house. They had sixteen seats and had to be reserved ahead of time. The concept did very well which led Stephanie to decide that the next step is to open a restaurant. Atelier 317 got its name from their old restaurant where 317 was the house number.

Stephanie got into the restaurant business because she’s a foodie by heart. At an early age she was exposed to cooking, both her grandmas liked cooking as well as her mom. She loves cooking and would prefer a home cooking than fancy cooking, she also did one year in Le Cordon Bleu.

The second floor houses Casa San Luis goodies as well as a specialty corner where products and items from Stephanie’s travels are displayed and can be bought.

 

After getting a good look at the place, I sat down alongside other bloggers with chef and owner Stephanie Zubiri for an intimate lunch at Atelier 317’s La Galerie located at the second floor.

La Galerie is a chameleonic space. Equipped with a full working open kitchen with top of the line Elba appliances, large, bright white walls, and two massive wooden tables – the airy space is meant for creation and collaboration. It is perfect for special dinners with bespoke menus, cooking classes and demos, food photography shoots or just simply having a culinary and entertainment space to call your own. Open to all who wish to use it, La Galerie can host up to 16 people seated comfortably and 20 for a cocktail set up. You may wish to do your own cooking, bring in your own chef, order from downstairs, have us create your own menu or simply use it as a function room. It will also be home to several pop-up kitchens and collaborations with other chefs in the near future.

More excitingly, La Galerie will also be an Art Gallery. True to its name, we will have art exhibits every other month, focusing on young upcoming artists. Our first exhibit will be in the first half of April featuring the works of Risa Recio, inspired by the dishes at Atelier 317. Her abstract paintings, photographs and installations reflect the vibrant colors of the serving platters and ingredients used in our restaurant.

Rental rates for La Galerie starts at P10,000.00 consumable for 3 hours. Cooking classes start at P1500.00 per person for 3-5 recipes over 3 hours.

Warning: food porn

Lamb Gyoza With Harissa Yogurt Mint Sauce

The lamb was tender and taste is similar to samosa because of the herbs. I can’t complain though coz I love spicy and herby (if there’s a word) dishes.

Mezze Platter

Roasted Bell Pepper and Feta dip, Green Pea Hummus and Charred Eggplant Salad with Pita and Crudites. Mixed the three dips together for a mix of flavor and texture.

Flammed Kesong Puti Capresse Salad

Molo With Foie Gras Soup

Truffle Mushroom Lasagna.

Truffle & mushroom overload! This is one dish to remember.

Balsamic Beef Adobo. OMG. One of the best I’ve ever had, melt in your mouth beef and the sauce isn’t as salty but is flavorful.

Vietnamese Cha Ca Lavong. Another dish that I liked. You have to mix the greens with the entire dish so you can appreciate it, otherwise it won’t serve its purpose-to add flavorful.

Sri Lanka Chicken Curry. What I like about this dish is that the curry was just right. It wasn’t too overpowering yet it gives enough flavor even when mixed with the eggplant side dish which I forgot what its called.

Roast Pork Tenderloin. I have low expectations when it comes to anything roast. I assume they lack flavor and tend to be dry but to my surprise Atelier 317’s is the opposite.

Spicy Sweet Corn & Crab Pasta. I wish the flavor of the crab dominated over the corn.

Lamb Bolognese.

Another version of the Spicy Sweet Corn & Crab Pasta sans the crab.

Shrimp Pasta

 

What makes Atelier 317 different from other restaurants aside from the home-cooked comfort food with a personal touch? I like that I’ve personally witnessed Stephanie Zubiri getting all hands-on with her baby. She obviously loves what she’s doing and she said so herself that she’s fond of serving and entertaining her clients, getting feedbacks and comments to further improve her knowledge as a chef and restauranteur. If I could describe the food it’s all about good ingredients whipped up to create a fusion of different cuisines that is uniquely made by Stephanie Zubiri. Personal, full of heart kind of dishes which anyone can draw favorites from, making it a comfort food to love. Aside from dining, you can expect some cooking classes, pop-up kitchen collaborations with other chefs and foodies at the second floor (La Galerie) of Atelier 317.

For more information on rates and programs please visit our Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atelier-317/341838822512324?fref=ts or contact us via email: [email protected]; [email protected] or via telephone: 02-3580987; 09178308393. Or our download our schedule in the website: www.epicurusinc.ph/atelier-317.aspx

 

 Atelier 317

Palm Rock Building

6060 Palma corner Osias Street, Poblacion, Makati

(from Rockwell drive, turn right into Palma street after Ateneo and BDO)

02-3580987; 0917-8308393

[email protected]

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @Atelier317

Happy Weekend!

 

 

 

 

Operating hours:

Monday to Friday 11:00 am to last call 9:30 pm.

Saturday 8:30 am to last call 9:30 pm Sunday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

We have a brunch menu on weekends.