Cheyenne Suarez

Beloved QC restaurant Half Saints opens in BGC with exclusive dishes

Article (news)

Karen Flores

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761040275599491423192_18318165235207978_3301781524992475855_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The newest branch of Half Saints is located at the Milestone Building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Half Saints"/>The newest branch of Half Saints is located at the Milestone Building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Half Saints</div>Half Saints has certainly come a long way since 2018, when it<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/06/01/18/qc-eats-half-saints-serves-good-food-for-a-good-cause"> first opened across the ABS-CBN Building in Quezon City</a>. Back then, owners Christine Roque and Jo Arciaga wanted to combine their passion for food and advocacy through their restaurant, which uses ingredients sourced from local communities. Beyond the noble intentions, the food was genuinely good, elevating Half Saints to QC cult favorite status. Innovative yet approachable, the dishes were inspired by Roque and Arciaga&#x27;s travels and childhood experiences. Bestsellers include the Chicharron Teriyaki, an appetizer that combines bagnet with nori and cream cheese in one bite; the hearty Arroz Con Pollo, or chicken with rice cooked in sofrito, coconut cream, chili, and cilantro; the puff pastry pizzas that can probably convert even the biggest crust haters; and the decadent Dark Chocolate Tart with Himalayan Pink Salt.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761042065063HALF-SAINTS_0025.webp" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Chicharron Teriyaki. Half Saints "/>Chicharron Teriyaki. Half Saints </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761044656529HALF-SAINTS_0116_29161b41-fae7-4814-b618-9e22aff98b1b.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Dark Chocolate Tart with Himalayan Pink Salt. Half Saints"/>Dark Chocolate Tart with Himalayan Pink Salt. Half Saints</div>From there, Half Saints just kept growing, with long-time collaborations from brands and an expanded selection of baked goods and family platters. In 2022, it <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/11/07/22/filipino-owned-restaurant-half-saints-opens-in-tokyo">opened a branch in Tokyo, Japan</a>, offering a curated selection of sweets and pastries to discerning palates.Fast forward to 2025, Half Saints has finally landed in Bonifacio Global City. Located at the Milestone Building along 5th Avenue, the new branch is more spacious and was obviously dressed up to match BGC&#x27;s vibrant dining scene, but it still retains its soul -- rough yet refined, familiar yet playful.While it still carries the favorites and its wide selection of desserts, Half Saints BGC also offers a new, exclusive menu, still coming from fond memories of Roque and Arciaga growing up.Naturally, most of these dishes lean toward Asian influences and are made for sharing. The Fried Thai Pork Ribs, glazed with tamarind and patis, will wake up your taste buds. There&#x27;s also the eye-catching Caesar Tree -- a head of charred broccoli decorated with chickpeas, shiitake, bacon, and Grana Padano -- that will make you want to eat your vegetables. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761043098747Caesar Tree.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Caesar Tree. Half Saints"/>Caesar Tree. Half Saints</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761043126984Fried Thai Pork Ribs.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fried Thai Pork Ribs. Half Saints"/>Fried Thai Pork Ribs. Half Saints </div>A standout at Half Saints BGC is the Soft Shell Crab Risotto, which is flavored with taba ng talangka, ikura, and tobiko, and topped with juicy soft shell crab.Also worth trying is Sea Bass and Beans, a fun take on the humble isda and monggo. The dish is served on a spicy khao soi base with fried noodles, pickled onions, cilantro, and lime.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761044773057Soft Shell Crab Risotto.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Soft Shell Crab Risotto. Half Saints"/>Soft Shell Crab Risotto. Half Saints</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761044810740Sea Bass and Beans (1).jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sea Bass and Beans. Half Saints"/>Sea Bass and Beans. Half Saints</div>Aside from the branch exclusives, Half Saints BGC also has a breakfast menu with items ranging from toast to rice dishes, as well as a gin cart that comes with a variety of garnishes.Its owners promise to offer the same quality and experience that made the QC flagship a success. &quot;Different location, same approach. We want to share with BGC what matters to us, so the experience is still very personal,&quot; said Arciaga. &quot;Everything we serve is house-made, from the breads and condiments to the mix-ins for our cocktails. We avoid ultra-processed shortcuts and put in the long hours where it matters,&quot; added Roque. &quot;We don&#x27;t just celebrate the ingredients, but give respect to the people behind them. We hope guests will be able to taste the craft and the heart that we put in it.&quot;

After Quezon City and Tokyo, Half Saints has finally landed in Bonifacio Global City.

After Quezon City and Tokyo, Half Saints has finally landed in Bonifacio Global City.