Saffron’s honeyed warmth and the smoldering allure of paprika set the stage at Alma Makati, where Valencia’s own Chef Luis Martínez pens edible sonnets. Each dish is a love letter to the Mediterranean. Every bite is a voyage: sunlit, sea-breezed, and unmistakably Spanish.
Yet he provides subtle local touches. You’ll spot them in the fresh, locally sourced produce. This delicate balance defines Martínez’s culinary ethos—one that has earned him acclaim at both Alma Makati and its tropical sister property, Alma Siargao.
Growing up in Valencia, Martínez was immersed in a rich culinary culture where food was more than sustenance—it was a way of life. From an early age, he found inspiration in the aromas wafting from his family’s kitchen, particularly on Sundays when paella simmered over the fire. He witnessed how food could weave people together, fostering joy, connection, and a shared sense of identity. Those lessons stayed with him.
Valencia instilled in him a reverence for ingredients, the importance of patience, heart, and tradition—yet also the freedom to innovate. Today, his cooking reflects Mediterranean roots, anchored in seasonality, simplicity, and precise technique. For Martínez, becoming a chef was inevitable: a path to self-expression and a tribute to the place that shaped him.
What first drew Martínez to the Philippines was his passion for travel—the thrill of uncovering new cultures, people, and flavors. But when he arrived eight years ago, something unexpected happened: an instant connection. In the warmth of its people, their generous hospitality, and the reverence for family and tradition, he recognized echoes of his native Valencia. It felt, in ways both intangible and profound, like coming home.
“The Filipino food culture is rich, diverse, and full of heart. It has taught me to cook with more emotion and to value the stories behind each dish. At Alma, this influence is present not just in the way we blend Mediterranean techniques with local ingredients, but in the relationships we’ve built. Working hand in hand with local fishermen, farmers, and producers—knowing exactly where each ingredient comes from—has been essential to shaping the identity of Alma. It’s not just about food, it’s about people, place, and purpose. Being here doesn’t feel foreign—it feels like home,” Martínez shared.
A veterinarian by training, Martínez first wanted to build a hotel, not a restaurant. But when the pandemic left his finished property empty, he returned to his first love—cooking—transforming necessity into a lifeline. This resilience was bred in Valencia, where, as a student, he funded his travels by selling paellas, living his father’s creed: “If you want something, earn it.”
Fate tested him again when Typhoon Odette destroyed his Siargao project before it could open, wiping out Alma completely. From this devastation rose Terraza Martínez in Manila, a love letter to Mediterranean flavors that became his proving ground. Here, he refined his vision before resurrecting Alma (“soul” in Spanish), now a testament to heritage rebuilt through perseverance.
“Opening in Siargao was one of the most challenging—and rewarding—experiences of my life. Everything was a challenge: the language barrier, adapting to the culture in a remote province, building the restaurant from scratch, the constant power outages, and, of course, my own inexperience in the industry. On top of that, working on a small island meant limited access to ingredients and supplies. Sometimes, just to get fresh squid, I had to ride a motorbike for over an hour through the jungle to reach a tiny beachside village,” Martínez recalls.
At Alma Siargao and Alma Makati, the essence remains the same: a space to slow down, connect, and savor honest Mediterranean food in a warm, soulful setting. The concept and spirit are shared, but each location carries its own unique charm.
In Siargao, Alma sits beachfront, where the ocean’s presence—the sound of waves, the salty breeze—enhances every meal. The menu shifts with the catch of the day, embracing spontaneity and local flavors.
Alma in Poblacion, Makati, is an urban retreat—intimate and tucked away from the city’s rush. Though the setting is different, the heart of the experience stays real: a place where good food and meaningful moments bring people together.
Separate locations, one mission: to turn meals into memories. Where the Mediterranean soul finds a home, whether amid city lights or ocean tides.
Two locations, two hearts, one soul.