Review of The Stockpile (The Sapphire Bloc, Ortigas)

Previously known as the Sunshine Kitchen, The Stockpile puts together classic comfort food with a twist. The cuisine is varied, featuring a lineup of Pinoy and Western dishes. If you want to drink, be outside, and feel like you’ve escaped civilization, this restaurant is worth braving the traffic for in the heart of Ortigas, Pasig. Located on the grounds of The Sapphire Bloc not too far from SM Megamall and Metrowalk, The Stockpile is a nice choice for a casual meal with friends. It also has a classy happy hour potential. Up for beer, scotch, wine, tea or cocktail? Get them all here. Check out their promotion: all the wines and cocktails you can drink for PhP 799 from 6PM to 9PM during Saturdays to Wednesdays.

Lunch was booked through BigDish’s website two days ago, and we had an instant discount off our meal. In case you’re not yet familiar, BigDish is a brand-new way of offering dining deals and discounts. There’s no membership fee required. Just reserve online (through the website or mobile app) and get discounts off your bill depending on the number of people, date and time, and the restaurant chosen. Once booking is done, a confirmation code will show up and this should be presented to the restaurant at the time of visit.

Review of The Stockpile (The Sapphire Bloc, Ortigas)

Ambiance:

We fell in love with the place right off the bat, drawn mostly to the high ceiling that makes the room inviting and airy. The Stockpile has piles of paint cans arranged as an attractive wall backdrop. The space looks massive with ample spacing between tables and bright lights that bring the atmosphere of vibrant dining to life. There’s more seating available outside, but with the hot weather nowadays, choosing to be inside is a no-brainer.

Food:

The Stockpile Fries with Truffle Aioli (PhP 280) earned the most satisfying grade in our meal. It’s the best bet for the undecided. Fried in perfection, the fries were cut thin, perhaps to emulate fast food. The accompanying truffle aioli turned out as a good balance of creamy, garlic, and onion with a hint of truffle. Overall, this appetizer worked well to get us excited for the next dishes.

Served hot on the table, the Bubbly Hot Cheesy Nachos (PhP 275) arrived oozing with cheesy cheddar sauce and a good blend of cilantro, onion, tomatoes, and longganisa. We topped each bite of the nachos with creamy and savory cheese. It’s a light treat that’s best shared with a group. Caution though with the chili. It’s hot and punchy and not for the timid.

The Stockpile has several pasta selections on the menu. We ordered Truffled 4 Cheese Pasta with Smoked Bacon (PhP 395), which was made with provolone, grana padano, brie, and mozzarella. The velvet qualities of all these cheese combined had a silky mouthfeel, a seductive tang that plays on the lips like a careless whisper. Too bad serving was good for one; five of us only had a couple of spoonfuls each!

Pan-roasted 24-hour Brined Double Cut Porkchop (PhP 490) was moist and juicy. Given a choice between rice and mashed potatoes, we chose rice and thought we made the right decision. The sauce certainly didn’t lack on the flavor department. The pork was delicious, but the slab of fat was churned out firm and tough. We could have liked it better when rendered softer and presented with a deep crisp crust.

The 6-hour Slow Roast Porchetta (PhP 20) was another winning dish of the day. Cooked with French beans, au jus sauce, and vinegar, the porchetta formed a crackly, crisp shell with bubbly, crunchy, salty skin around an insanely juicy core that’s tender enough to eat with a spoon. Yum!

If you’re looking for something more unusual than a plain slice, Sunshine Pizza (PhP 395) is a recommended pizza to get. Topped with The Stockpile longganisa, porchetta, arugula, egg, and garlic oil, the flavors delivered flying colors for sure. The golden yolk oozing slowly over the sausage and melted cheese is TDF (to die for). Arugula brought in freshness and a great texture contrast.

Last but not least, we had Truffled Mushroom Pizza (PhP 540) that consisted with shiitake and button mushroom with cream sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, arugula, and truffle oil. We expected more of rich, umami notes from the truffle. In any case, this pizza was tasty, especially when we added chili oil (lots of it). The uniquely earthy flavor and meaty texture of mushrooms were so good it’s hard to say no to. Love mushroom pizza? Give this a try. 😉

Price for Value:

The Stockpile in The Sapphire Bloc is an all-day diner and bar that has been pleasing the local community for two years now. This cool spot is a good place to hang out and enjoy hearty artisanal pizzas, salads, soups, and pleasurable meals. Vibe felt cozy, service was overall okay, and prices are fair. We’ll swing back next time when we’re in the area. If you’re planning to dine in at The Stockpile, make sure to check out BigDish to score a great deal. 🙂 Click on the button below to book a table and get discount for up to 50%! You can also get a free 20% off ZALORA voucher when you book a table via BigDish. Check the promo mechanics here.

To know more about BigDish, check out its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BigDishPH/ or visit its website at https://bigdish.ph/. Click this button to book a table now:

About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.