The Room
Gallery VASK opened in 2014 in Bonifacio Global City under Spanish chef Chele González (born José Luis González in Torrelavega, with Arzak, El Bulli, El Celler de Can Roca and Mugaritz on his CV). The restaurant joined Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2016 and 2017 before closing the original concept in late 2017 and rebranding as Gallery by Chele — a more focused, Filipino-ingredient-driven version of the same kitchen. The Michelin Guide arrived in Manila in October 2025 and Gallery by Chele was awarded one star, making it one of the first Michelin-starred restaurants in the Philippines.
The dining room is small (50 seats) and dressed in art-gallery register: pale walls, framed Filipino contemporary art, an open kitchen running along the back wall. Chele works the kitchen alongside Carlos Villaflor, the Filipino chef whose collaboration anchors the restaurant's local-ingredient programme.
The Food
The tasting menu rotates seasonally and pulls from a deep Philippine sourcing programme — Mindoro tuna, Pampanga free-range chicken, Negros muscovado, Quezon coconut, foraged ferns and herbs, heritage rice. The progression reads as anthropological-cuisine: each course tells a story of a specific Filipino community or tradition, executed with classical Spanish technique.
Wine programme is curated rather than encyclopedic, with serious natural-wine and Spanish-producer benches. The pairing menu at PHP 4,500 is the right way in for first-time diners.
Best Occasion Fit
Birthday: Birthdays at Gallery by Chele carry the Michelin-tier discretion the new star designation implies — a candle on the dessert, a signed menu, the chefs' acknowledgement at the table.
Impress Clients: International visitors recognise the Michelin Star designation without translation. The Spanish-Filipino tasting frames Manila correctly for the visiting client.
First Date: Gallery by Chele's small dining room is the BGC first-date for the diner who wants the night to register as serious-Manila-fine-dining.