In the vibrant culinary landscape of the metro, there's always room for something new, something exciting. And when it comes to celebrating with seafood, there's a fresh player in town—Thank You, Seafood.

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Gone are the days of only enjoying seafood during special celebrations. Thank You, Seafood is all about creating a space where premium seafood takes center stage, making it available all days of the year. The idea emerged from the founder’s desire to offer a dining experience focused on seafood, filling a gap at Power Plant Mall.

The ambiance at Thank You, Seafood strikes a balance between upscale and approachable. The interiors exude a retro-chic vibe, complemented by warm lighting that sets the stage for both romantic date nights and casual lunches. Don't let the elegant ambiance fool you—this is a place where good food and good times go hand in hand. The plush red booths and wide tables full of small plates foster a sharing-friendly atmosphere. The abundance of red will remind of your prawns and lobsters. Their interior designer, Kat Melo, not only decorated the place but also created one of a kind artworks that hang on the walls, including the huge artwork of an octopus made of fluffy thread. Even their signage has a heart in the middle made from two lobster tails curled toward each other. Every element is well thought out and executed.

The vibrant interiors designed by Kat Melo Ching Dee

Thank You, Seafood is one of the brands under Lowbrow Casual Restaurants, the restaurant group co-owned by Dwight Co and Charles Paw (who also owns Tasteless Food Group, Beyond The Box, and Digital Walker). The group also owns and runs FowlBread in BGC, and fried chicken joint Bad Bird at The Grid Food Market and Public Eatery. Known for their unique approach to food concepts, the team wanted to ensure their offerings stood out, not just in quality but also in variety. While you'll find familiar favorites like prawns, mussels, and tuna on the menu, they've also curated a selection of high-end seafood such as salmon and lobster, perfect for those looking to splurge a little.

But why seafood, you might ask? According to the folks at Thank You, Seafood, the opportunity of being the first seafood restaurant at the Power Plant Mall presented itself and they seized it. While it wasn't necessarily a long-held plan, they recognized the potential and wanted to be the ones to bring a seafood-centric dining experience to the forefront.

This Ocean Butter Spaghetti is a must-try Ching Dee

The menu’s curated by Paulo Bayani, Lowbrow’s corporate chef who interned at the multi-awarded restaurant Gaggan in Bangkok, Restaurant Andre in Singapore, and Restaurant Maaemo in Oslo, Norway. As a chef in Manila, he worked at the then-called Gallery Vask and Vask Tapas by Chele Gonzalez and later on became the head chef of The Test Kitchen and Savage by Josh Boutwood. Behind the scenes, Chef Paulo leads the Lowbrow kitchen with finesse, ensuring that each dish is crafted to perfection. With a dedication to quality and freshness, the team sources their seafood meticulously, opting for fresh deliveries over frozen stock whenever possible. Diners can rest assured that the seafood they’re enjoying was delivered that same morning.

With a focus on freshness and flavor, Thank You, Seafood offers a range of dishes that cater to seafood aficionados and novices alike. From indulgent Lemon Butter Lobster to crowd-favorite Crispy Seafood Baskets and one-of-a-kind Champagne Pasta, there's something to entice every palate. To get the best seafood possible, they looked for the best local suppliers but also didn’t limit themselves within the archipelago. The tuna is from General Santos and Quezon Province, the prawns from Pampanga and Bulacan, the swordfish from Malaysia, cod and salmon from the Northern Atlantic, and the delicate scallops are from Japan.

Lemon Butter Lobster Ching Dee

But what sets Thank You, Seafood apart is their commitment to listening to their customers. Regular menu evaluations ensure that popular dishes stay, while slow movers make way for new culinary delights. Feedback is embraced, as it provides valuable insights for continuous improvement. As Lowbrow states on their website: “Complaining is caring” and they recognize they’re “a business run by people – imperfect people – so inevitably, [they] make mistakes.”

Here’s everything you should try on your first visit to Thank You, Seafood.

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Focaccia with Ocean Butter & Deep-Fried Pickles

Each meal at Thank You, Seafood starts with their complimentary Deep-Fried House-Made Pickles and Focaccia with their house-made Ocean Butter, which is another way of saying “You’re about to have a great time!”

Focaccia with Ocean Butter and Deep-Fried Pickles Ching Dee

Chickpea Salad

Make sure to order this unique salad made of marinated chickpeas, feta, and green chilis. With just the right amount of heat, the sweetness of the dressing and the saltiness of the feta go together nicely, while the earthy creaminess of the chickpeas works like a palate cleanser of sorts. So this writer suggests keeping it on the side throughout the meal, taking little bites of it when the flavors get too much.

Chickpea Salad Ching Dee

Spicy Salmon

While this dish has undergone a few reinventions since Thank You, Seafood opened in November 2023, this writer believes this version is the best so far. It features slices of sashimi-grade raw salmon on a bed of green chili sauce and creamy coconut milk. The toppings of crispy, tangy capers with their seasoned crumbs (made of sourdough, quinoa, and spices) works well with the silky texture and delicate flavor of the salmon, while also balancing the heat from the green chili sauce. This instantly became one of my favorites.

Spicy Salmon Ching Dee

Lump Crab Toastie

The menu has several toasties but this one’s their best-seller. Using their focaccia as the base, they load it up with aioli, lemon butter, a generous amount of blue crab meat, and finished off with some shrimp roe for a touch of briny goodness. If you love crabs, this is a dream come true. And if you don’t like crabs, this has the potential to change your mind.

Lump Crab Toastie Ching Dee

Ocean Butter Spaghetti

One of the best things you can order at this seafood joint is this indulgent pasta dish. The al dente pasta is bathed in this gorgeous prawn bisque with lemon garlic and a mound of shrimp roe, that give each bite even more ocean-forward umami. And while it’s unlikely that you won’t finish this dish in one sitting, in case you do have some leftovers, it keeps well in the fridge and tastes even better the next day.

Mussels & Fries

Meet Thank You, Seafood’s take on the classic French bistro dish, Moules et Frites. Using US mussels stewed in white wine and cream with a dash of paprika, the mussels give off its natural oceanic flavor with a hint of sweetness. The sauce turns into a savory, almost cheesy puddle at the bottom of the bowl, so make sure to not waste any drop of it. It’s also served with hefty fries fried three times, which makes it crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.

Mussels and Fries Ching Dee

Lemon Butter Tiger Prawns

Using only fresh prawns that’s never been frozen, their Lemon Butter Tiger Prawns have a beautiful tender texture and a natural sweetness. Their lemon butter — always made in-house — is rich with just the right amount of citrus burst. It’s served with their grilled pineapple salsa on the side, which balances out the savory and buttery goodness of the dish.

Lemon Butter Lobster

This is a great way to treat yourself or your loved ones any day of the week. They use Boston lobsters with the same lemon butter and grilled pineapple salsa. This one’s served with Romesco sauce on the side for a little bit of heat, which cuts through the richness of the buttery lobster. Make sure to get a bite with all the components to fully appreciate the genius of this combination of flavors.

Lemon Butter Tiger Prawns Ching Dee

Burnt Caramel Toast

Thank You, Seafood only has one dessert item on their menu and it’s more than enough to keep you coming back for more. Imagine a supersaturated French toast, making it almost custardy in the middle, then it’s covered with caramelized sugar for a brittle crust before being dusted with crushed Biscoff cookies. It’s surprisingly not too sweet, but still gives you the satisfaction as any great dessert should.

Burnt Caramel Toast Ching Dee

Penguin Thai Tea

Another brand under Lowbrow is Penguin, which focuses on coffee- and tea-based beverages. Their Thai Tea has Thai black tea infused with star anise and cardamom. The condensed milk makes it creamier and sweeter without making it too overwhelming. It’s a great drink to have when the rest of your table is filled with savory seafood dishes.

Penguin Thai Tea Ching Dee

Thank You, Seafood is located at Level 2, Power Plant Mall (beside Mary Grace near Hidalgo Entrance), Rockwell, Makati City. They are also available on GrabFood (for select locations). For inquiries and reservations, call 0917 147 8026 or click here. Follow Thank You, Seafood on Instagram (@TYSeafoodPH) and Facebook. For more information, visit Lowbrow Casual Restaurants.

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Photography by Ching Dee