Looking for your next Michelin meal in Metro Manila? Diners can enjoy elevated dining paired with San Miguel Premium Beers at Juniper by Josh Boutwood, one of the newly-minted Michelin Selected restaurants in the Philippines. The country’s only Two Michelin-starred chef has curated a special menu of elevated Filipino classics paired with San Miguel Brewery’s world-class brews, available for a limited time only.
Travel Up was invited to an intimate gathering with select media hosted by San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) to sample Juniper’s Brews & Bites curated by Chef Boutwood. The Filipino-British Chef described the collaboration as “perfectly timed,” just days after Michelin’s unveiling of the inaugural list for Manila and Environs and Cebu.
“I’m just so excited that we get to partner with my favorite beer, one that I always go to no matter where I am and to have it here in Juniper, one of my newest restaurants, with these amazing dishes that pair phenomenally well with these beers. It’s an exciting day for the launch of this brand-new collaboration,” Boutwood told media.
The celebrity chef took time to sit down and chat with guests over sips of beer and share how he’s coping with the “overwhelming” accolades. Along with Juniper, two of Boutwood’s other restaurants in Makati (Ember and The Test Kitchen) also made the Michelin Selected list, while Helm (also in Makati), was named the first and only restaurant in the country to earn two Michelin stars. Congrats, chef!
Juniper by Josh Boutwood
According to the Michelin Guide, Juniper’s menu “blends global influences – charcuterie, pasta, roast chicken – and leans into Asian flavors at lunchtime.” The meals are designed to complement gin-based drinks with tonics offered to guests as a “refreshing start to the meal.”
Located on the first floor of EDSA Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong, Juniper boasts a sleek semi-open kitchen and relaxed, modern vibe. It feels sophisticated and elegant, yet welcoming. The ambiance is ideal for intimate gatherings, and hosting balikbayans this busy Christmas season, business meetings, family celebrations, and special date nights.
San Miguel Premium Beers
While beer is often reserved for after dinner, Juniper shows that pairing meals with San Miguel Premium Beers can enhance the overall dining experience. Chef Boutwood paired each dish with one of four San Miguel Premium Beers: Premium All-Malt, Super Dry, Cerveza Negra, and Cerveza Blanca.
As someone who regularly drinks beer with main meals when dining out, getting to experience this special meal pairing at one of the country’s sought-after restaurants felt truly special. Here’s a glimpse of the various courses.
Brews & Bites
Halibut in Taro-Based Sinigang x San Miguel Premium All-Malt
The Halibut in Taro-Based Sinigang is light and flaky, paired with a sinigang sauce and cauliflower puree. The foundation provides a saucy hint of the comforting, tangy flavor. The delicate and mild flavor of the daikon fondant, pickled okra, crispy kangkong lavash, and drizzling of parsley and tomato oil add layers of texture and freshness to the lightly seared fish.
The smooth and full-flavored profile of San Miguel Premium All-Malt, and slight hop bitterness pairs well with the appetizing fish dish, providing a balanced taste.
Pork Belly Adobo x San Miguel Super Dry
The second course is a take on the Filipino staple adobo, prepared with refined culinary techniques. The Pork Belly is braised low and slow for three hours, then glazed with adobo sauce reduction. Tender slices sit next to a bed of Pomme Puree, with soft and silky mashed potatoes and crispy fried garlic chips adding a bit of crunch to the melt-in-your-mouth meat.
The dry, clean, and crisp finish of San Miguel Super Dry cuts through the richness of the pork for an exceptionally smooth pairing.
Pork Chop x San Miguel Cerveza Blanca
The main course is French-cut pork chops, brined for six hours, pan-seared, then oven-roasted. The succulent, steak-like serving is drizzled with a generous topping of mustard and vegetables with M1 sauce. It’s hearty and satisfying on its own or with rice.
The citrusy and refreshing flavors of easy-to-drink San Miguel Cerveza Blanca, complement the mildly sharp mustard flavor, enhancing the pork chop’s overall flavor. The wheat ale’s hazy golden brew adds a whiff of spicy, smoky, and fruity flavor to an otherwise heavy dish, making this a good option for power lunch meals.
Chocolate Caramel Cake x Cerveza Negra
A slice of indulgent Chocolate Caramel Cake coated in salted chocolate buttercream ends the meal on a decadent note. Cerveza Negra’s rich roasted malt character, with hints of caramel, coffee and chocolate, complements the velvety, rich yet airy chocolate cake.
Diners can experience elevated dining and beer pairing at this Michelin-selected restaurant before the year ends. The innovative dishes paired with San Miguel’s premium brews will be available at Juniper by Josh Boutwood until December 3, 2025.
Many thanks to San Miguel Brewery Inc. for the invitation to this beer pairing event. and congrats to the whole team behind Juniper for the Michelin recognition.
Juniper by Josh Boutwood is located at the GF, Shangri-La Plaza, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong – Metro Manila, Philippines.
