Because it is not exactly in my proximity, and on some days if you’re unlucky, it’s really hard to get to, I’m not exactly a habitue of Gateway Mall. I only used to make it to this area if I was going to Farmer’s Market (still one of our finest wet markets, I think) or if I was going to watch something at the Big Dome. And while I still have fantasies of visiting Fiesta Carnival (someone whispered to me it was still there!), in my head there wasn’t much to hold my attention or my appetite that I couldn’t find closer to me.

Apparently i was wrong.

Gateway Mall, now with its new wing, is bustling with people and activity. Sure, some spaces need to be filled, but by no means is it a sleepy town. There are major players left and right, and by the looks of it, they are doing great!

First taste: inside Gateway's new World Kitchens | Photo: Paul del Rosario 

Then there are the unique spaces, one of which is truly one-of-a-kind in this town: World Kitchens. You may have seen bits of it on your social media feed, but believe me when i say that you have to enter and experience it to grasp it all—no picture on your phone can do it justice.

WK is a modern, design-forward dining space built for comfort | Photo: Paul del Rosario

WK is in a class of its own. As you enter through the reception and are led to your table, you will really only see a portion of it. You have to roam to appreciate its enormity, as there are many nooks and crannies, littered with stalls that are kitchens for 15 different dishes or cuisines. While it may look like one, it is NOT a food hall, by the way—it is a full-service restaurant, with 15 kitchens doing specific dishes or cuisines. These kitchens are run by legitimate international and local chefs, and they certainly arent playing around. They are here to cook!

Chef Steve Ma's HK Ma's Bistro specializes in Hong Kong-style roasts | Photo: Paul del Rosario

The brain child of a Singaporean F&B specialist named Andrew Tan Hock Lai, in partnership with the Gateway group (aka the Aranetas), this is the epitome of a go big or go home swing. While walking in the very contemporary, zen-like dining area, you will see a lot of things us Pinoys crave for: Hong Kong style roasties, ramen, butter chicken, pizza, desserts. Among other things. There’s even a very cool full-service bar that wouldn’t look out of place in the nightlife hotspots of Manila.

Ramen? Butter chicken? Find your comfort fix right here | Photo: Paul del Rosario

It has the kind of full-service bar that feels right at home in any cool nightlife spot | Photo: Paul del Rosario

Of course, the best way to be a believer is to tuck in and eat something. And eat our team did—the food was pretty solid, without any throwaways, so the power play here is to go with a group and order all sorts of dishes to produce an around-the-world buffet of sorts! Take your time pursuing their menu accessed via QR to see all the offerings, order through your phone, and all your food will be brought to your table (yup, you even pay thorough this system) We did have a hodge podge of treats: A salad with roasted tomatoes and grilled white cheese satisfied your vegetable needs. The ramen from The You No Men was pretty solid, too—at least as good as you’ll find in other places (but I personally like their mazemen more). 

Ramen from The You No Men really hits the spot | Photo: Paul del Rosario 

I enjoyed the butter chicken and basmati set from Prana, although I could've used a bit more spice! (Don’t worry, the AC is cold enough to keep you from getting chili sweats too much!) Probably the biggest standout for me was a steak and fried rice meal set from Shimshima—priced particularly well, itis a certified crowd pleaser. I don't eat much steak, but I kept forking bits of this. And for dessert, a beautiful composed platter by Sticky Sweet looked straight out of Alice in Wonderland.

You've got to try the butter chicken and basmati sets from Prana | Photo: Paul del Rosario 

Shimshima’s steak and fried rice is a certified crowd-pleaser | Photo: Paul del Rosario 

The best part of all this indulgence? They are priced nice, and won’t break the bank too much. A work in progress, there is still much to explore and develop—for example, there is a Spanish asador stall, serving cochinillo and other grills that was calling my name. And soon to open—a Cantonese private kitchen, with a master chef showing his skills while repping the rich culinary heritage of China.

Sticky Sweet's dessert platter is as pretty as it's delicious | Photo: Paul del Rosario 

This place can be anything for anyone. Date night? Time it when they have a pianist at the performance stage. Family fun day? Catch a flick at the state of the art movie houses just around a corner after having a scrumptious meal at WK. Out with your friends? End the evening with drinks at the swanky bar.

I recommend you seek it out now before the hungry hordes invade. With something for everyone—even the pickiest eaters—World Kitchens at Gateway 2 is a rare beast: an all-encompassing restaurant whose sheer variety of crowd-pleasing offerings truly sets it apart from the rest of the pack. 

World Kitchens. Level 4, Gateway 2, Araneta City, Quezon City. Instagram: @worldkitchensph | Facebook: @worldkitchensph.