Exploring Premier Wine and Dining Destinations in Manila: Dr. Wine and The Cellar
Dr. Wine Manila in Poblacion, Makati
Dr. Wine Manila, located on Algier Street in Poblacion, is just a stone throw away from Powerplant Mall/ Rockwell. Dr. Wine is owned by Vincent Landais and his wife Eva Marzan-Landais. Dr. Wine Manila is located at the Ground floor, 5921 Algier street, Brgy Poblacion Makati. (Formerly Som’s; it’s close to Rockwell/ Powerplant Mall and Bel-Air Village). They are open daily (EXCEPT MONDAYS) from 5PM to 2AM.
Regarding the atmosphere, the ambiance is warm and comfortable– super chill but fun at the same time. There’s a long communal bar where you can sit wherever you’d like– and have strangers share the table with you (a great way to make new friends!) and likewise little nooks with their own tables and couches, in case you want more privacy with your group. Cozy seats make Dr. Wine a great place to enjoy and unwind with friends over a glass or a bottle of wine.
Menu and Pricing
Their wine selections go by wines by the glasses, wines by the bottles, and sparkling wines and champagnes, with a predominance of French and Spanish wines. White wines by the glass range from PHP190 to PHP410, and red wines by the glass range from PHP190 to PHP380. Bottles can start at PHP690 to PHP3990 to PHP49000. They also do have daily happy hours that go for PHP550 for all-you-can-drink house red and white wines, from 5 to 7PM.
And if you’re hungry, they have platters like cheese (PHP580), cold cuts (PHP580), saucisson (PHP360) and assorted charcuteries and pates (the chicken liver mousse with maple syrup– PHP350 and smoke fish rillettes PHP330 are really good!) you can nibble on while enjoying the wines.
The Cellar at the Grand Hyatt Manila
For a different experience in Taguig City, The Cellar is the hotel bar and haven for indulgence whether it be for a delicious bottle of wine, handcrafted beers, specialized cocktails or sumptuous small plates and tapas. It is located at 8th Avenue Corner 35th St, Grand Hyatt Manila, Taguig City. The restaurant's cozy and elegant atmosphere is perfect for romantic evenings, creating an inviting setting that guests appreciate.
The Dining Experience and Safety Protocols
The restaurant just recently reopened to the public, and I was keen to try their food, as well as how it’s like to dine there, "COVID Era" style. If you’re concerned about safety protocols and sanitation, hotel restaurants are probably some of the top places to visit during this time. Before entering the restaurant, we filled out a health declaration form (printed and QR both available). At The Cellar, we were led to a private dining space—a cavernous nook with wine displays and a huge table that could only accommodate up to 6 persons for now (social distancing measures; like other restaurants, they are allowed to operate only at 50% capacity).
The following table provides a comparison of the offerings at these two locations:
| Feature | Dr. Wine Manila | The Cellar |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Poblacion, Makati | Grand Hyatt, Taguig City |
| Atmosphere | Warm, chill, communal bar | Cozy, elegant, private dining |
| Wine Selection | French and Spanish focus | Delicious bottles and specialized cocktails |
| Food Specialty | Cheese, cold cuts, and charcuterie | Spanish-Mediterranean small plates and tapas |
The Cellar is a culinary gem for many travelers, celebrated for its exquisite Spanish-Mediterranean dishes that impress with both flavor and presentation. Reviewers often highlight the strong value, with quality service enhancing the memorable experience. In Makati, Dr. Wine is fast becoming one of Manila’s popular nightcap places, especially since people are always looking for a place to enjoy good wine in a central location.
