Experience the cuisine and culture of the Philippines at Alamat Gold Coast
If you were asked to list your favourite Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Asian-fusion restaurants, you could probably rattle off ten different joints ranging from the cheap and cheerful suburban spot to the fine-dining destinations you go to for special occasions. If you were asked to name your favourite Filipino restaurant, however, how many could you name? This distinct underrepresentation of Filipino fare was precisely the motivation behind the city’s brand-new restaurant, Alamat Gold Coast. Here’s everything you need to know about the neighbourhood newcomer …
If you’ve dined at any number of the city’s esteemed Asian-inspired eateries, it’s likely you’re familiar with the name Jon Hizola. Over the years, Jon has popped up in kitchens across the city, before bunkering down and opening Chevron Island’s Mr Kojima and Burleigh’s Masu Izakaya with his wife Eileen. Alamat Gold Coast is named after the Filipino word for legend or folklore, which is fitting given Jon’s incredible back catalogue. This time around, Jon has dug deep into his own heritage to elevate Filipino cuisine and culture. “Everybody has their go-to Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese, but what about Filipino?” Jon asked. In his opinion, Filipino cuisine has been very much in the background, presenting a kind of familiarity in flavours that Jon hopes can bridge the gap to attract non-Filipino diners to appreciate the cuisine he loves so much. “So far the feedback has been pretty good,” he says of Alamat Gold Coast.
When it came to creating Alamat’s menu, Jon took a contemporary approach. “I’m bringing things I’ve learned from all of my other venues to elevate Filipino cuisine and culture, that’s my aim.” One of the early standouts has been the kinilaw, which is ceviche with tuna, ginger, calamansi and lime juice with a dash of coconut cream. Jon originally hails from Luzon (the southern part of one of the big islands) where coconut cream is commonly used in cooking, informing dishes such as ginataang hipon (prawns in pumpkin and coconut cream). Another must-try dish, according to Jon, is the kabibi (scallops) and, for something a little more traditional, the crisp pata (pork hock). Filipino cuisine is very much a social experience, with families and friends coming together to feast, which provided the inspiration for the venue’s Barrio Fiesta Feast option, which is $65 per person and fills the table with a selection of chef’s favourites. Just do yourself a favour and leave room for dessert. “I think it’s time to kickstart Filipino cuisine on the Gold Coast,” Jon says, and after this feast, we tend to agree.
Alamat Gold Coast is now open! Head to our Stumble Guide for opening times and booking details.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.