ATHLEISURE MAG #103 JUL ISSUE | ATHLEISURE LIST Hiraya

We head to DC to Hiraya with Chef/ Owner Paolo Dungca which opened in September 2023 in the city's H Street neighborhood. When dining here, you'll enjoy Filipino cuisine which is described as a balance between salty, sweet, and sour. It is a true melting pot of all cuisines because of their history and experiences.

You'll feel at home as they have two unique experiences in the same building. The downstairs café is an all-day brunch affair, where you can come in and enjoy coffee, Filipino breakfast staples, and french pastries with Asian twists. You can hang out all day, work from home during the week, or come and enjoy weekend brunch. Upstairs, there is an upscale tasting room. They offer an 8-course tasting menu at the chef's counter and a la carte dining options in the dining room - a progressive, Filipono fare. They also have Filipino-inspired cocktails and wine pairings available to accompany each meal.

It was important for Chef Paolo to have a casual spot in the day where you can come in 3-4 times a week! Upstairs, he wanted to have something where you can come in and celebrate your special occasions.

When you're downstairs he suggests the MAKULAY LATTE, or RAINBOW LATTE, featuring the flavors of yellow birthday cake. He also recommends their SILOG BREAKFAST BOWLS (TAPSILOG, TOCILOG, or LONGSILOG). These are very nostalgic from his childhood growing up in the Philippines. Lastly, enjoy one of their unique pastries. They take staple French-American pastries and add their own unique twist to them, for example, their Black Truffle Ensaymada.

The chef’s tasting menu is a fun way for to introduce diners into this heritage. They start off with Filipino dessert staples that are turned into savory courses, and as the menu progresses, it incorporates classic dishes that are reinterpreted in a modern way. They want to challenge the guests' perception on what Filipino food can be. Filipino food is often eaten with rice, but throughout this menu progression no rice is being served with the menu to offer a more unique experience and insight into the culture’s cuisine.

Enjoy Sunset Hour which runs from 3pm-6pm daily at the café.

In the restaurant, 3 dishes on the a la carte menu they suggest includes: the Cassava Cake with Crab fat, Lardo and Ikura, the Pato Tim which is Roasted Duck with Five Spice, Carmelized Plums and Star Anise and the Palabok with Octopus, Pasta Chitarra, and Quail Egg.

In August, they will participate in the RAMW Restaurant Week starting August 12th - 18th. They have also partnered with Resy for their 10 year anniversary starting August 19th - 23rd.

HIRAYA

1250 H Street NE

Washington, DC 20002

hirayadc.com

IG @hirayadc

PHOTO CREDIT | Lair Collective