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. This time around, Jon has dug deep into his own heritage to elevate Filipino cuisine and culture. 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.