Oak & Smoke: A Culinary Fusion of Fire and Flavor

Nestled in the bustling heart of Salcedo Village, Oak & Smoke (O/S) is a restaurant where contemporary design meets the primal allure of open-flame cooking. Located on the ground floor of Pacquiao Mansion, this dynamic dining space is the brainchild of culinary power duo Chef Anna Bautista and Chef Sean Jorgensen. With its origins rooted in smoked meats, Oak & Smoke has evolved into something much more sophisticated—a fusion of Southern U.S. flair and Northern Californian finesse, offering a unique blend of flavors that is both exciting and approachable.

A Collaborative Design Vision

The dining experience at Oak & Smoke extends beyond the food, seamlessly integrating with the restaurant’s interior design. For this, the chefs turned to Andrew Trinidad of Headroom CDV Co., who helped craft a space that mirrors the culinary philosophy of the restaurant—strong, bold, and balanced.

Trinidad recalls the brief he received from the chefs. “They wanted a sharp, contemporary restaurant that complemented their cuisine,” he says. “Sean’s cooking style is rugged, while Anna’s is more refined. The design had to reflect both these personalities, creating a balance between masculine and feminine elements.” This duality is evident in every aspect of the restaurant’s interior, from the dark hues of blue, gray, and wood that dominate the color palette to the floral patterns subtly woven into the menu and floor tiles.

The focal point of the restaurant’s design is a striking nine-meter-long chandelier that runs through the middle of the dining room, pulling the eye upward and lending the space a sense of grandeur. “The chandelier’s shape mimics the flow of smoke, tying the design back to the restaurant’s concept,” explains Trinidad. The inclusion of visible firewood in the open kitchen’s gallery walls further emphasizes the central role of fire in Oak & Smoke’s culinary identity.

The Alchemy of Design and Cuisine

One of the most unique aspects of Oak & Smoke’s design is how it enhances the dining experience, rather than simply complementing it. “We designed the menu first, then thought about how the space should look,” explains Jorgensen. “The design is really a reflection of the food. It’s approachable, but there’s still a level of sophistication.”

This approach is particularly evident in the restaurant’s layout. The open kitchen gives guests a glimpse of the culinary action, while the bar—strategically placed at the far end of the dining room—allows patrons to take in the entire space as they enjoy a cocktail. “The original plan was to have the bar near the entrance,” says Jorgensen, “but we quickly realized that it would be too cramped. Moving it to the other end made the space feel more open and inviting.”

A Dining Experience Like No Other

From the moment guests step into Oak & Smoke, they are met with a sensory experience that goes beyond food. The warm, wood-filled interiors, the open kitchen showcasing live cooking, and the thoughtfully curated design elements all work together to create a dining environment that feels both intimate and grand.

With its evolving menu, carefully crafted interiors, and commitment to creating an approachable yet sophisticated dining experience, Oak & Smoke is set to become one of Salcedo Village’s most beloved dining destinations. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual weeknight dinner or celebrating a special occasion, Oak & Smoke offers a unique fusion of flavors and design that leaves a lasting impression.

Read more about Oak & Smoke by ordering your copy of BluPrint Volume 2, available via the sarisari.shopping website, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download via Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.

Photography by Ed Simon.

Read more: CC House: A Modern Filipino Family Haven by LiDU

Ito Kish on Balancing Minimalism and Depth This Season

Born and raised in San Pablo City, Laguna, Ito Kish made a name for himself through residential and commercial design, as well as curatorial work. This new season, built on the idea of Filipino Culture Meets Global Curiosity, unfolds both as a composed showroom environment and a new collection shaped by stillness and balance. A […]

On Breakthroughs: Architect Pierre Briones on Establishing His Name in Architecture 

Breaking through in their respective careers is a daunting task for any young professional. For Architect Pierre Briones, architecture has always been an intentional pursuit. Having spent much of his childhood around construction sites, Briones’s environment shaped his interest in architecture, including his fascination with how structures and buildings are built. “Choosing architecture was never […]

Advertisement

Bobby Mañosa’s Iconic ‘Bobi Toys’ Become Sculptures in ‘Tanaw’ 

Not many people know this, but during the Martial Law era, National Artist for Architecture Bobby Mañosa was also a toy designer. He had an iconic line of toys, called “Bobi Toys,” that he sold in Makati during the 1970s and 1980s, which he discontinued as his own kids grew older. His toys have not […]

‘Dialogo’: Two Artists Collaborative and Find Middle Ground in New Exhibit

Cloud Grey Gallery put together two esteemed artists, Manuel Ocampo and Ronald Ventura, for Dialogo. As a gallery located at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Cloud Grey has a more forward-thinking approach to contemporary art movements at the time. “They’re provocations,” the gallery declared as they described their approach, “invitations to see the familiar transformed.” For […]

‘Ivarluski x Bitagcol’ Opens New Pop-Up at Power Plant Mall

Ivarluski x Bitagcol, a pop-up store at Power Plant Mall, showcases the new collaborative fashion line from the two Filipino designers, as they seek to expand their design horizons and update their aesthetic hallmarks for the present day.   The collaboration came about as the two designers, Ivarluski Aseron and Jo Ann Bitagcol, discussed their attraction […]

Komiket and the Evolution of Art Markets over the Decade

As the country’s local arts community grows steadily beyond the confines of galleries and museums, art markets have become a booming market for young artists and old artists alike. A variety of crafts, whether it’s fabric works or paintings or prints or whatnot, have become the new way of showcasing new, personal styles for a […]