A wholesome menu for the summer

LOOKING WHOLESOME The Wholesome Table restaurant at the BGC
By Danah Gutierrez
The Wholesome Table has built its reputation on using only the freshest, most natural ingredients, and their summer menu is no different. From refreshing starters to hearty mains, its summer dishes are sure to nourish the body, without compromising on taste and deliciousness.
Owner Bianca Araneta Elizalde is truly at the top of her game as an innovative restaurateur, but let’s not forget she’s switching hats between being a mother as well. “I try my best to balance my time between work and raising my family by setting aside specific hours in the day to work, usually while my kids are in school,” she says. “As much as possible, I try not to schedule anything during weekends, which are dedicated to time with my family. I also delegate a lot and work with an amazing team that really helps get the job done.”
Sometimes, Bianca enjoys the sweet spot where she can bond with her kids while working on The Wholesome Table. “There’s never been anything on the menu that hasn’t gone through several taste tests with me and my family,” she beams.
THE FAMILY THAT EATS HEALTHY Bianca with daughters Isabel, Alesi, Sienna, and Samira
As for her challenges, she walks the tightrope as she admittedly finds it difficult to balance both roles, like “knowing when I have to put down my phone and focus on my children’s needs,” intimates Bianca.
Overall, the fulfillment of getting to do both is worth it. “There is fulfillment in showing my daughters that women can have it both—we can be dedicated, hands-on moms, and still find success with business,” she says. “It’s a great example for them, especially because I have daughters. I’m hoping they are inspired by what I do, since I do it all for them, too.”
Bianca’s heart and soul are reflected in her brand. From the amazing food to the farmhouse-inspired interiors and airy ambiance, everything aims to delight the customer. No wonder many patrons come to celebrate, work, and collaborate while dining at the establishment. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, always ready to serve with warmth and eagerness.
LOOKS GOOD, TASTES GOOD Wholesome staples this summer include burrata, watermelon and feta salad, and hummus
In a world where many restaurants rely on processed and artificial ingredients, The Wholesome Table’s commitment to using only the freshest, most natural food choices continues to elevate healthy and hearty eating for the customer, all thanks to a beautiful mama who wants to share her soul food with the rest of the metro.
One of the staple dishes Bianca and her team recommend for the summer is the Watermelon and Feta Salad. This light and refreshing dish features juicy chunks of watermelon, tangy feta cheese, crisp kale, and a balsamic glaze. It’s the perfect starter on a hot summer day, and the combination of sweet and savory flavors is sure to tantalize your taste buds. For something cheesy, another staple is the Burrata. Served with crisped bread, it is the ultimate appetizer, with rich and creamy burrata with micro greens, roasted tomatoes, and balsamic glaze. It’s sweet, tangy, and salty, the trifecta of happiness on the palate. If you are craving for a Mediterranean flavor, opt for the Hummus dip instead, freshly made from well-seasoned, blended chickpeas. The texture is smooth and creamy, you’ll surely spread for seconds.
For refreshing Asian dishes, the Summer Spring Rolls are super yummy, totally fresh, and very nutritious. Small portions of cucumber, mango, glass noodles, shrimp, and chicken breast are beautifully wrapped in rice paper for a colorful plate, served with sweet, sour, and salty nuoc cham dipping sauce. The Nasi Goreng, on the other hand, is a filling main dish with perfectly-grilled and flavorful chicken satay, with sweet-soy fried rice, served with spicy sambal oelek sauce.

BBQ lovers will also rejoice at the addition of the Hickory BBQ Pork Ribs  and Hickory BBQ Chicken. Tender juicy racks of sous-vided and grilled pork ribs and tender, succulent chopped chicken are bathed in the classic, smokey flavor of hickory, bringing a Southern twist to the menu. Served with tarty and creamy potato salad and grilled corn on the cob, these platters are perfect for sharing with your favorite foodies.
But it’s not just the main dishes that have gotten a summer makeover at The Wholesome Table. The restaurant’s beverage menu has also been updated to include a couple of cool drinks that are perfect for sipping on a hot day. The Be Fresh is a standout (and my personal favorite), featuring fresh pineapple, coconut cream, mint, spirulina, and raw cane sugar blended together for a cool and invigorating drink. Be Tropical is another option that’s a mixture of orange, pineapple, banana, mango, vanilla, almond milk, maca, chia seeds, sweetened with raw cane sugar for a filling summer smoothie.
Of course, it wouldn't be a complete summer menu without a few breakfast items. The Wholesome Table’s sunrise-inspired dishes include the Full English Breakfast, served with bacon, baked beans, sourdough toast, truffled pesto, and scrambled eggs. The Homemade Corned Beef, served with sauerkraut, eggs of any style, with option to get roasted potatoes or garlic rice. My ultimate favourite is the Horchata French Toast, made with sourdough french toast, drizzled with rich dulce de leche, topped with torched bananas, whipped cream, and toasted cashew nuts—now that’s a good morning for me.
Visit The Wholesome Table at any of their Manila branches: Greenbelt, Salcedo, and BGC.