The Stockpile: This Place Should Be Your New After-Work Hangout
Overall rating: 4/5 stars
If you work in Ortigas and you find yourself dreading the daily commute during rush hour, here’s a suggestion: visit THE STOCKPILE.
Located at the Sapphire Bloc in the center of the Ortigas Business District, The Stockpile is a re-imagined pub/restaurant. It doesn’t have the dreary interiors of a classic pub. Instead, it has a modern, welcoming vibe.
It also goes beyond your regular pub by offering an extensive menu that eclipses your usual beer match selection. The best part about The Stockpile? They have a proper Happy Hour every single day!
4-10 pm Buy 1, Take 1 on beer
5-8 pm Drink all you can (Php 599)
6-7 pm 50% off on appetizers
I know right? What a steal! Now, if you’re wondering if you should have a proper meal instead of just drinking, The Stockpile won’t disappoint.
My favorite dish is the 6-Hour Slow Roast Porchetta. The skin was crispy and the meat was succulent. The herbs shine through and everything just melts in your mouth.
If you want your pork belly done with local flavors, you can also opt for the Lechon Style Roasted Pork Belly. Either way, you are in for a juicy treat.
Frankly, I could not choose between all the pork dishes. The decision was made even harder when I saw the Pan Roasted 24 Hour Brined Double Cut Pork Chop. This hunk of meat was just glistening with flavorful gravy. The thick cut of pork is caramelized on the edges but the meat remained tender and juicy inside. The bed of creamy mashed potatoes and rich gravy complemented the meat very well.
Another surprising crowd favorite is the humble Salisbury Steak. The juicy beef patty is smothered in a rich gravy and served with rice. I can see this becoming a real favorite among the office crowd. The meat is very tender and flavorful. You might even ask for an extra cup of rice once you taste the gravy in this dish.
The mains were all a big hit with me. However, the main reasons why this place doesn’t get a 5/5 for me are the pastas. I must admit though, I am a Nazi when it comes to judging Italian food. I tried the Truffle Mushroom Tagliatelle and was underwhelmed. I missed the richness in the sauce. It was a smooth white sauce, but I think it was a bit thin. On the upside, the noodles were perfectly al dente.
The Squid Ink Cuttlefish Tempura was an interesting twist to the usual Tempura/Calamares. The black batter looked interesting but it didn’t really have a unique taste. I think this dish needs to rethink its sauce. With the mild flavor of the cuttlefish and the batter, perhaps the dipping sauce needs to pack more of a punch.
Overall, this place is definitely a place you should visit for drinks and a fun night with friends. They even have a different theme each night. (acoustic performer, trivia night, DJ etc.) The cocktails are potent and the promos are a steal.
The food is good but perhaps a bit pricey if you are looking for a regular place t o grab a meal during work days. Nevertheless, it does not hurt to indulge in a good meal with your drinks once in a while. Give it a try!
See their full menu on Zomato: