Words by Clariz Mendoza
Photos by Alyssa Gabrielle Chen and Vivien del Valle
Kondwi PH is the newest haven for foodies and artists alike. It’s a two-story gem in Poblacion that offers great food, while also functioning as a creative playground and art gallery. The name “Kondwi” is derived from the word “conduit”, which means channel.
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The Art
Kondwi PH will make you feel its artistic vibe the moment you step in. Art pieces are everywhere—on the walls, suspended from above, and on tabletops. The whole place is Instagram worthy! Plus, every art piece you see in there is for sale. So if you liked any pieces, you can actually buy them! The exhibit on the 2nd floor also adds to the unique experience.
Despite the artsy vibe though, what’s great about Kondwi PH is that it has a chill ambiance to it, perfect for night outs with friends.
Aside from the place being aesthetic, the food is also worth returning for. Below are some of the dishes we got to try.
The Food
The food in Kondwi PH, prepared by their head chef, Chef Alex Tan, is made perfectly to complement their drinks. They have the skewers, for example, which we loved, and you can choose from either Tofu, Green Curry Chicken, Chicken Satay, Beef Rendang, Pork Sinigang, and Smoked Eggplant. Rice meals are also available, plus Chef Alex teased about adding brunch meals to their menu, so that’s another thing to watch out for!
Here are some of the non-negotiable must-trys in Kondwi PH:
Tomato Salad (Php 300)
Nope, this salad is not like any other. Seven—seven—different kinds of tomatoes were used in preparing this dish. The tomatoes are grilled, adding another layer of flavor to the salad. Everything, then, is balanced with the feta. Though the tomatoes taste sour alone, the slight saltiness and tangy flavor of the feta brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes. This combination of flavors is then brought together by a drizzle of olive oil. And paired with sautéed arugula, this meal is made perfect for those who are craving something tasty but trying to cut down on calories!
Pork sinigang (Php 290)
Siningang on a stick? Kondwi gives sinigang a fresh look. A fusion of the classic with a modern twist. And though it doesn’t come with the soup we know the famous dish for, it still has that trademark sourness Filipinos love. You can still taste the essence of sinigang in every bite. The typical ingredients such as the kangkong and radish are also placed skillfully on top of the sinigang strips.
Chicken Satay (Php 290)
Dipped either in the peanut or sambal sauce, this chicken satay is definitely one extraordinary dish! With the tender and flavorful chicken meat, you will surely be reaching out for a second stick.
Chicken Liver Mousse (Php 320)
There always seems like an equal divide between people who like and dislike liver. I personally don’t like them, but Kondwi’s Chicken Liver Mousse almost changed my mind. The combination of sourdough, arugula, balsamic, candied walnuts, pesto, and of course chicken liver gave a complementing, unique taste that was hard to resist. It was actually really good, not to mention unique! Highly recommend that you give this dish a try.
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Kondwi PH really lives up to its name “conduit”, as it serves as a channel that connects art and food. After all, the place will not only pleasure the palate with their food and drinks but also tickle your creativity as you are surrounded by art. You will surely have a memorable night at Kondwi.
Head on to Kondwi PH asap to experience a different taste of art and food!
Kondwi PH
Contact: (0917) 777-1633
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