MANILA, Philippines – A whole group of new restaurants are opening at SM City North EDSA’s The Block. Some are old favorites, some have changed locations, while some are totally new additions trying their luck in the massive mall’s new Food Circuit. 

The Block’s Food Circuit can be found on the ground floor, taking up an area that used to be part of Hypermarket. According to SM’s senior vice president of operations, Hypermarket was downsized – they’re using the space more efficiently now – to make room for the new restaurants.

Now, when shoppers enter The Block, half of it is Hypermarket, while the other half leads to a circular area filled with new food selections.

Some of them aren’t open yet, but during Food Circuit’s launch on Sunday, June 19, a few of them presented the food they’ll be serving up.

Here are some of the restaurants we tried at the launch.

Kumori

Some of the restaurants are either brand new or chains that are opening up new branches at The Block.

Kumori, for instance, is opening their first cafe at The Block’s Food Circuit. Aside from their usual breads and pastries, also try their fluffy signature cheese tarts (P60 per piece).

Gyro V

Grab a Gyro sandwich (P85 for beef, P80 for chicken) at this quick-stop Greek restaurant. 

King Chef

King Chef, a restaurant from Binondo, offers a full spread of Chinese food and dimsum, including these pumpkin balls (P70) with red bean paste inside.

Mr Pizza

Aside from their selection of pizza flavors, Mr Pizza also lets you choose from a variety of pizza crusts. Have their Seafood island 2 (P800 – Regular) pizza on an egg tart, mocha bun, or cream cheese crust.

Gringo

If you’re craving burritos and tacos, Gringo is serving up Mexican food, including their Gringo original chicken (P148 – quarter, no sides), their southern spice chicken, and ribs. 

La Macaronerie

Underneath the escalator at Food Circuit, you’ll find La Macaronerie, selling French macarons for P50 to P55. 

Rock & Seoul

Make your own bibimbap at Rock & Seoul or just order their signature original bibimbap (P190).

Osaka Ohsho

The gyoza bar Osaka Ohsho is part of the Food Circuit, serving up Japanese favorites and their signature gyoza in original, cheese, nori, and Bacon and Cheese (P190 for 6 pieces).

Cafe Shibuya

For dates or meet-ups, the Japanese Cafe Shibuya is a nice bright place for dessert or a mid-day treat. Try their Mentaiko pasta (P265, single serving) with olive oil, bacon, and nori. 

Grind Burger

Grab some bite-sized sliders (P295) at Grind, or try their full-fledged Grind burger (P275) with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cheese on brioche.

Nadai Fujisoba

Nadai Fujisoba is a soba noodle store that also serves traditional Japanese food, like Gyudon (P100 – small, P190 – regular).

Casa Italia 

Another ice cream stop at Food Circuit is Casa Italia, which sells gelato (P130 for 1 scoop), pizza, pasta, and breakfast food.

Churreria La Lola

They’ve expanded since opening their first branch at Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, and now Churreria La Lola will be serving their chocolate-dipped treats at The Block too. 

Cafe Adriatico Express

Cafe Adriatico Express is setting up shop at Food Circuit, with favorites and classics from their full-fledged restaurants. Beside them is another restaurant serving Filipino favorites, Bistro Remedios.

Tamarind

This Thai restaurant can be found near one of The Block’s entrances. The Laarb Tuna (P290) they served at Food Circuit’s launch is new to their menu, but it’s similar to their Laarb Salmon, and it’s the same price. 

Other restaurants at the Food Circuit are old favorites and were in SM City North EDSA before, but relocated to the new food area. 

Almon Marina

For food on the go, Almon Marina is offering gourmet sandwiches (P125-P290) and other dishes from the deli, like their gamberi and chorizo pasta (P265, single serving).

Tokyo Bubble Tea

This bubble tea place has always had a place at SM North EDSA, but now they’re moving to The Block’s Food Circuit. Aside from milk tea, they’re also serving food like the chicken teriyaki doria (P255).

Baskin Robbins

Baskin Robbins is one of two ice cream places at Food Circuit, serving cones of their myriad flavors like gold medal ribbon (P119 – regular single scoop) – vanilla and chocolate with ribbons of caramel running through.

Costa Coffee

Drop by Costa Coffee for a quick coffee fix or if you need a cafe to work at. Their traybakes cost P85 to P90 per piece.

Go Nuts Donuts

Go Nuts Donuts is setting up shop at Food Circuit too, for your doughnut fix. 

Have you seen Food Circuit at SM City North EDSA’s The Block? What do you think of their restaurants? Let us know in the comments! – Rappler.com