MANILA -- Take your tastebuds on a trip around the Mediterranean with the new menu of Restaurant Tapenade, the all-day F&B outlet of Discovery Primea in Makati.

The concept behind Tapenade has always been “comfort Mediterranean.”

”A lot of Filipinos find comfort in Mediterranean food -- Italian, Spanish and a little French,” the hotel's executive chef Luis Chikiamco noted.

The new flavors in the menu are based on what Filipinos want to eat, he said, adding that the new items are also meant for sharing. The entrees are meant to be placed on the center table and divvied up among the guests. If you are in a bigger group, you can order more dishes and experience more flavors.

The new entrees are Chikiamco’s delicious interpretations of Mediterranean favorites. Spanish tapas, and Italian risotto, pastas and pizzas are the highlights of the new menu.

The tapas and mezze, in particular, are best enjoyed with drinks, perfect to pair with the cocktails and premium gin happy hour at the Gilarmi Lounge a few steps away.

Here are some of the new dishes from Tapenade’s menu.

1. Trio of Tapas

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

Traditionally served in cazuelas (red clay bowls), tapas are small bites with flavors meant to open up the palate. Featured are Patatas Bravas (potato wedges with paprika mayo), Calamares a la Plancha (squid in Spanish sherry vinegar and extra virgin olive oil), and Gambas a la Brava (shrimp with garlic, brandy and Spanish paprika sauce).

2. Pulpo con Patatas

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

This dish features grilled octopus with potatoes with Spanish paprika sauce.

3. Almejas con Chorizo

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

Putting in chorizo with clams braised in white wine with herbs added a meaty, salty side to this dish.

4. Rice Festival Risotto

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

If you’re looking for something heavy, go for the flavor-packed Arroz con Pato (Portugese duck rice with chorizo, olives and duck chicharon). For something lighter, try the Risotto with Roasted Tomato and Fresh Herbs.

5. Papardelle Bolognese

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

Kids will love this. You really can’t go wrong with cheese, tomato, ground beef and freshly made pasta.

6. Linguini al Nero

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

This isn’t your everyday seafood pasta. Tapenade makes its own squid ink linguini and tops it with garlic baby shrimp, Chilean mussels, snapper, clams, cherry tomatoes, and basil.

7. Stone Baked Pizza

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

Tapenade’s stone-baked pizzas are a favorite. New to the menu are the Balsamic and Goat Cheese Pizza; and the Pizza a la Chef Beam, an upscale version of the Hawaiian pizza with grilled pineapple, jalapenos and prosciutto.

8. Lamb Chops Scottadita

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

”Scotta ditta” is Italian for "burned fingers" and that’s what you might get when you take a taste of this lamb with rosemary, honey and mint, which make for a meaty Mediterranean meal. Best eaten hot and with your hands.

9. Poricini Crusted Ribeye

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

A favorite from the past menu is the Porcini Crusted Ribeye. With the porcini’s umami seared into the ribeye’s crust plus a bite of shaved parmesan and arugula, this is a fantastic steak course.

10. Mascarpone Custard Pie

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

A new dessert is the Mascarpone Custard Pie paired with a slice of caramelized orange and ice cream and berry dots. Have some of the dots with the pie and ice cream for a refreshing bite.

11. Turkish Baklava

Photo by Jeeves de Veyra

I definitely recommend getting Tapenade’s Turkish baklava. This is definitely not the usual powdered sugar bomb passed off as baklava but the real thing with pistachios, walnuts, and almonds topped with phyllo pastry on a bed of cherry syrup.