THE BEST OF ELBERT’S AT HIS COLLECTIVE

In 2019, Elbert Cuenca launched Elbert’s Pizzeria as a small store in a small space in Salcedo Village, Makati. They served Napoli-inspired wood-fired pizzas and traditional pastas. Most customers did not dine in the restaurant due to the absence of a proper dining area.

Later on, tables and chairs were added, but the space was still too small. In November 2021, the adjacent space became available, and this 112-square-meter space gave restaurateur Elbert Cuenca the opportunity to expand its dining facilities, as well as enhance its concept. He opened Elbert’s Collective.

Before the pandemic started, Cuenca’s Steak Room Concepts (SRCI) had four restaurants in operation: Elbert’s Steak Room, Elbert’s Diner (formerly Elbert’s Sandwiches), Elbert’s Pizzeria, and Elbert’s Upstairs Bar. The food was ably handled and prepared by Elbert’s brother, chef Adrian Cuenca.

Elbert’s Collective is a consolidation of all of Elbert’s casual offerings into one establishment and under one menu. It will be a full-service, casual-dining restaurant that banks on the 26year experience and reputation of Elbert Cuenca, particularly for serving high-quality food and service. The restaurant will offer a wide range of Elbert’s food and beverages and can operate all day, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee and snacks, dinner, and late-night drinks, easily described as “from coffee to cocktails.”

The Collective features a Memphis Milano postmodern design by Noel Bernardo. The main kitchen is semi-open, which allows patrons to feel more connected with the food. A bar and extended bar counter will also be incorporated to encourage drinking.

The menu will consist of the following dishes from all the restaurants Elbert has had, namely, Elbert’s Pizzeria (pizza and pasta), Elbert’s Cheesesteak & Sandwiches, Elbert’s Steak Room’s casual lunch menu, and Elbert’s Upstairs Bar (for beer, wine, champagne, spirits, cocktails, charcuterie and cheese boards, and burger sliders).

There are lots of choices for food and drinks any time of the day at Elbert’s Collective.

* * * Elbert’s Collective is located on the ground floor of V Corporate Center, 125 L. P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.