Fashion meets fine wine in this chic and cozy QC bistro
When couple Tanguy Gras and Happy Andrada opened their business H&T Wine Gallery in late 2020, they didn’t actually open a physical space. The world was still in the midst of a pandemic and figuring out how to move forward given the restrictions on social gatherings.
But then people find ways. The French sommelier and his fashion designer wife came up with socially distanced online wine parties. They would send out boxes containing half bottles of wine and assorted cheeses and nibbles. Andrada would give the boxes her fanciful touch, tucking in dried flowers and tying them with lengths of natural-toned raffia.
Once the kraft boxes were delivered to the recipients, wines opened, and cheeses arranged in a row from mildest to most pungent—as instructed beforehand by Gras—the online tasting would begin. Although participants sampled the items alone, seeing their friends on screen and listening to the wine-related anecdotes from Gras seemed to take them out of the situation then, at least for a while.
The online parties included bridal showers with a few of the bride’s friends, although Andrada recalled how she and Gras once had to prep a hundred boxes for a group of doctors—just the two of them; it was one of their biggest projects.
With the pandemic five years behind us, the couple has turned the ground floor of Andrada’s atelier in Quezon City into an actual restaurant with a wine gallery tucked at the back.
French bistro style
“I’d like to think of it as a French-style bistro more than a restaurant because, as the owner, I’m also in charge of the food and wine served at H&T Wine Gallery,” Gras told Lifestyle during a party last week to mark their upcoming anniversary. “Like most French bistro owners, I work in a tiny kitchen about the same size as the bar located a few feet away from the wine gallery.”
Visitors can spot Andrada’s hand in the quirky use of colors and such elements as a mannequin-turned-floor lamp wearing one of her terno tops, and two old Singer sewing machines that have been repurposed as tables in the dining area. Meanwhile, the wines are given the gallery experience, arranged as they are on shelves and highlighted with the use of large, carved wooden picture frames.
“When we go out on dates and Tanguy wants to order a particular wine, we’re often told the item is unavailable. That’s one of the reasons we put up H&T,” Andrada told Lifestyle. “Tanguy doesn’t like being told a wine is OOS (out of stock) when we dine out so he’s very particular about keeping items in stock, especially the popular ones.”
The dining area at H&T is quite small and can only seat a maximum of 22, although it once hosted a cocktail event for 50. Aside from the wines chosen by Gras, the bistro now also has a gin and tonic trolley offering a variety of top-shelf gins, quality tonics, and garnishes.
Hearty fare
The food is hearty and includes lamb tagine and couscous, smoked salmon served with crusty bread and cream cheese, and a flavorful truffle pasta that was the evening’s favorite. Gras said he orders the restaurant’s supply of bread from a baker who delivers it 70-percent par-baked. “We finish baking them at the restaurant so guests get them hot, crusty, and freshly baked.”
Gras used to be the F&B director at Admiral Hotel Manila and was F&B manager at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila before it closed down. For guests at H&T, he has come up with platters of assorted cheeses as well as savory dishes from chef Cyrille Soenen of Le Cordon Bleu-Ateneo de Manila.
To attract customers, they offer wine by the glass, and the option of ordering free-flowing wine or sangria. They also have a happy hour daily from 4 to 6 p.m. where customers can order wine, sangria, cocktails, and beer on a buy one, take one basis.
“We’ve hosted numerous private events like workplace get-togethers, birthdays, and even a drag show,” Andrada said. “The queens got ready at the curtained-off area on the second floor where my atelier is located.”
And the bridal showers? “Yes, we still get a lot of bookings for those. Now they usually start the festivities with wine tasting followed by dinner,” Gras said.
“For P20,000 consumable, guests can book the entire restaurant from 6 p.m. until closing time. I think they prefer it over booking a function room at a hotel. The vibe is more relaxed and they’re able to enjoy each other’s company.”
H&T wine gallery is at the first floor of 24 K-D cor. K-1st street, 11th Jamboree extension, Quezon City. Shop online at www.htwinegallery.com.
