Oct 18, 2014, MANILA, Philippines – The restaurant formerly known as Boqueria is now called Alqueria, due to a business decision by the partners. But its soul is in the food, not its name – and that hasn’t changed.

ALQUERIA. Posh interiors offer a brief respite from the chaos outside. All photos by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

Tapas, or small plates, are prominently featured on the menu, but the highlights come in the form of longtime favorites – including the staple paella and the tempting, succulent cochinillo.

Ambience is a key factor here – it’s best to sit inside, near the windows for a great view, away from the mayhem outside. (READ: Touring Linguini Fini and 5 other Mega Fashion Hall restaurants)

Heading the kitchen at Alqueria is Adrian Nieto, who grew up in Linyola, just outside Barcelona, Spain. Many of the recipes of the menu items, he said, were handed down to him from members of his family – the cochinillo from his grandmother, the fabada or bean stew from his uncle, the paella from his mother.

Here are just a few things to try:

Alqueria is part of the SumoSam group of restaurants owned by Marvin Agustin, Ricky Laudico, and Raymund Magdaluyo, and Alqueria also brought in partners Liz Uy, Mylene Dizon, Agot Isidro, and Charo Santos.

The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of Mega Fashion Hall. – Rappler.com