This is definitely my kind of place
In a city where great food concepts abound, it can be challenging to create a new one, even more so to make it actually work. But in the case of Joel’s Place, which is run by the Tantoco family, the success of their first “grocerant” at Proscenium means they found a winning formula, and it simply had to be repeated.
The second Joel’s Place is in as equally good a location as the first, which is at the upscale Rockwell area. That one is frequented by families that live nearby and make it their hangout. It’s the choice, too, of fashion design students who study at SOFA, which is in the same building.
By opening the second branch on the ground floor of Glorietta 4, they are right smack in the center of Ayala Center. Their clientele is broader now, taking in Glorietta 5 and transport hub One Ayala, to department stores SM and Landmark, to Greenbelt and the hotels in between.
The winning combination that is Joel’s Place combines a choice selection of produce and deli items, hot and cold food to go, a gelateria and more, with plenty of options for meals and snacks that are healthy yet delicious.
Add to this tantalizing selection a cozy table setup and you have the “grocerant,” a specialty grocery where you can also grab a quick bite or linger over conversations and yummy food.
If you have already been to Joel’s Place at Proscenium, the Glorietta branch has the popular offerings plus new items.
I visited the Glorietta branch the day before they formally opened and was able to chat with Donnie and Crickette Tantoco, plus their son Christian, who is the brand manager. Crickette pointed out the new, ready-to-go food offerings, which include fresh salads and satisfying rice bowls.
I tried the highly recommended, reasonably priced chicken shawarma variant. Unlike Crickette, who like most people mixes all the contents of their rice bowl together, I enjoyed all the perfect components by themselves.
Crickette’s sister Frances Yu showed me the new savory pies and sandwiches offered at the bakery section, but I spied the Brazilian specialty pao de queijo and loved its typically gooey yet light middle portion. Not bad at all. Since my late father-in-law was ambassador to Brazil, my late mother in law served these cheesy appetizers all the time. The secret is the potato or tapioca starch used and not flour.
My next quest was for Iberico lagarto, narrow strips of fatty and tender meat that run along the back of the animal’s spine. Vanessa Derkinderen, who handles merchandising, explained the best way to prepare this cut. A quick marinade in olive oil and herbs is all that’s needed before you grill or pan-fry it to perfection.
The gelato section is new and I took home a pint of the uncommon Valrhona passion fruit and raspberry flavor. The milky Fiore di Latte is very good, too.
The seafood section is not to be missed at either branch of Joel’s Place, as this is one of their strong points, with bamboo lobster coming from Palawan, oysters flown in from France (best I’ve ever tried locally!), and various choice kinds of fish from Japan. I got hamachi, which they grilled, with their signature sauces.
Listening to Christian Tantoco explain the popular hummus spread, chickpea salads, chia puddings, and granola yogurt parfaits, I realized his tastes match those of my Gen-Z kids. They are not just into taste but good health. So I scooped up a number of these spreads, salads, and parfaits to bring home.
You can just imagine my dinner spread, with that grilled hamachi, pan-fried lagarto, and salad. This took hardly any effort for me to prepare!
Donnie Tantoco explains that they hope shoppers will see Joel’s Place as an extension of their kitchens. All I can say is if Joel’s Place was an extension of my kitchen, I might never leave home, not with all these delightful ingredients, fruit and veggies, specialty cheeses and cold cuts, and fresh seafood to cook with.
So I am glad that I now have two options when I need to run to Joel’s Place, for veal and other hard-to-find items. Joel’s Place has that great a selection, a friendly vibe and accessible location.
It’s definitely my kind of place.
