From their very first bake at a pop-up years back to their newest location at Glorietta 3 Activity Center, the proudly homegrown Manila-based brand known for their NY style bagels baked fresh daily takes on a much wider market as it breaks through the local culinary mainstream...
Chef Aaron and Nikki Oropesa-Lau turns a new chapter in their culinary journey with the formal opening of Booya Bagels' newest branch at the busy Glorietta 3 Activity Center in Makati. The new location brings the brand closer to a much broader market just in time for what Chef Aaron describes as a "global bagel boom." Bagel and lox? You bet. You'll find this iconic New York staple and more at the newest location of Booya Bagels at Glorietta 3...
The Glorietta 3 Activity Center is transformed recreating the mood and vibe of The Big Apple for the opening of Booya Bagels by Chef Aaron and Nikki Oropesa-Lau, the dynamic couple behind the brand and Easy As Pie, Piece of Cake (for more on Booya Bagels and Easy As Pie, Piece of Cake, see my posts Booya Bagels by Chef Aaron Lau, Now Bangin' at Glorietta by Ayala Malls on their soft opening a few months back and Fresh Off the Oven: Chef Aaron Lau of Easy As Pie, Piece of Cake Unveils New Menu Additions from early this year). The staging is as impressive as it looks, a fitting and bold statement for the brand's entry to the metro's evolving culinary scene.
At the formal opening, iconic visual elements of The Big Apple becomes the thematic thread for the ceremony. It is, after all, the brand's key inspiration for its NY style bagels.
Booya Bagels have adapted and mastered the New York "water bagel" method of preparation as the base for their lavish creations showcasing both Western and Asian inspired flavors. At Booya Bagels, you'll find classics like the Booya Lox and Italian alongside Unicorn Poop with Oreos on a Rainbow Bagel and the Baby Boi with Nutella and marshmallows on a Triple Choco Bagel. It's this extensive selection of offerings anchored on a legit bagel that makes Booya Bagels a welcome addition to the local dining landscape.
And Chef Aaron knows his bagel game. Bagels were a big part of Chef Aaron's own personal culinary journey while working in the kitchens of db Bistro Moderne by Daniel Boulud in New York. Chef Aaron sticks to tradition when it comes to his specialty bagels but frequently injects his own playfully inventive style for an extensive selection of unique creations for that NY style bagel experience.
And it's an impressive collection of pure bagel goodness at Booya Bagels. From the classic Plain to Whole Wheat, Sesame and Jalapeño, Onion and Rye, Cafe Con Leche and Cinna-Raisin to the inventive Sana 'Ol and Everything Bagel, Chef Aaron shares his take on the iconic New York staple with his own unique flair.
And a good bagel requires the proper schmear, right? Booya Bagels has that covered with their Herb & Garlic, Plain, Birthday Cake, Nori, Sundried Tomato, Oreo, Blueberry, Apple Pie and Scallion schmears along with a variety of specialty butter like Honey, Herb & Garlic, Strawberry, Snicker Doodle and Dirty Spice; deli meats, add-ons and veggies so you can customize your own perfect bagel.
The use of premium ingredients like its very own House-Cured Lox, assorted deli meats and fresh add-ons gives Booya Bagels its distinctive "fast gourmet" vibe for a satisfying bagel experience. Enjoy their bagels on-the-go with a fresh-brewed Americano (P 120) and you're on your way to a flavorful New York state of mind.
Chef Aaron and Nikki formally announced the opening of Booya Bagels at Glorietta 3 with the ceremonial ribbon cutting...
...before serving their fresh-off-the-oven bagel creations. The whole affair was an intimate one, celebrated with family over endless rounds of NY style bagels.
Chef Aaron shared his story revealing even bigger plans for his brands in the pipeline. Rising from the long days of the pandemic, it's inspiring stories like this that makes this tale of success resonate in following one's dream and seizing the moment. For Chef Aaron and Nikki, Booya Bagels offers not just a bite of New York. It's a dream fulfilled.
A toast celebrates the milestone moment at Booya Bagels, and the kiosk becomes a blur of activity as bagel after bagel are served.
Chef Aaron and Nikki served mini versions of their classic bagels like the sumptuous Italian (P 420 for a regular full-sized bagel) with Canadian Ham, Salami, Pepperoni, Mozzarella, cream cheese and mayo on a sesame seed mini bagel. Each bite brings rich savory notes from the medley of deli meats smoothened by the cream cheese and mayo and finished by the nutty hints of the soft yet firm mini bagel.
The West Coast Lox (P 536 for a regular serving) with its Nori schmear on the soft plain bagel topped with House-Cured Lox, cucumber and avocado brings fresh, delicate yet indulgently rich notes with each bite...
...and this one's gone just like that. The House-Cured Lox and cream cheese combo is as classic as it gets, the addition of the cucumber and avocado brings a lavish richness to the classic with its subtle sweetness and fresh textures. This alone is enough reason to visit Booya Bagels at Glorietta 3.
The Chef's Lunch (P 360 for a regular serving) with Cheddar, Bacon, Ham, Salami, Pepperoni, mustard and mayo on an Onion Bagel is Chef Aaron's very own pick, and it's a solid lunch.
Order up one of their signature bagels or create your own customized version with a wide selection of bagels, schmears, deli meats, butter, add-ons and veggies and you'll know that Chef Aaron and Nikki have their bagel game locked in.
Comforting yet indulgent, Chef Aaron and Nikki brings their fast gourmet bagel offerings to the heart of Makati's bustling commercial and business hub with the opening of Booya Bagels at Glorietta. Take a bite from their inspiring story, at Booya Bagels...
Booya Bagels is located at the Ground Floor of the Glorietta Activity Center, Glorietta 3, Makati. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/getbooyabagels/ and https://www.instagram.com/booyabagels/ for more updates and information.
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