This Pistachio Tarta de Queso at Cheesecake by Chele doesn’t just sit on the plate, it seduces. My first bite was a revelation, a creamy collapse that whispered of pistachios and secrets, pulling me into a world where every forkful feels like a love letter to indulgence.

This new Pistachio Tarta de Queso is cheesecake, elevated | Photo: Cheesecake by Chele

It arrives in a glory of rustic elegance, its uneven green surface slightly scorched and full of promise. One forkful and it melts into a creamy molten cascade that releases a delicate, nutty perfume. 

The Pistachio Tarta de Queso is the latest knockout flavor from Cheesecake by Chele, the dessert venture of acclaimed Chef Chele Gonzalez and his wife Teri. Since opening in 2024, their small outpost at The Podium has become a cult favorite, drawing fans for their Basque-style cheesecakes and, more recently, Spanish-style tartas de queso with irresistibly runny centers. Their limited-edition drops sell out faster than a blockbuster premiere—and this one’s no exception.

How can something be this rustic and still so elegant? | Photo: Cheesecake by Chele

The tarta de queso is the perfect canvas for pistachio’s creamy, buttery richness, allowing its delicate floral notes and earthy undertones to shine.

What makes this dessert sing is its apparent simplicity, but that is deceptive. It’s really a complex creation made possible only by the mastery of its creator. The selection of cheeses, for example. Does the blend include a sharp Spanish variety or a soft, creamy cheese, or maybe something entirely unexpected? Chef Chele remains famously tight-lipped about this, so go ahead and play detective, you’ll enjoy the investigation. 

And then there’s the texture, which is pure hedonism. A luscious, almost molten center reveals delicate, layered flavors. It’s the kind of cheesecake you’d imagine emerging from a rustic kitchen in northern Spain, where Chele’s roots run deep—evoking images of his mother sliding a pan into an old, wood-fired oven.

Deceptively simple and so silky-molten, it’s pure hedonism | Photo: Cheesecake by Chele

We won’t pretend to know the kitchen sorcery Chele uses to transform gritty pistachios into this silky-molten dessert that's so perfectly balanced between richness and restraint. It pairs effortlessly with the bitter notes of coffee or the effervescence of champagne. I had my first slice with sangria, allowing the punchy fruit notes to swirl and dance with the lush cheese on my tongue.

Behind every great cheesecake: Teri and Chele Gonzalez | Photo: Cheesecake by Chele

Amid the flood of new pistachio desserts in the metro, Chele and Teri’s creation is a standout. It's sophisticated, authentic, and undeniably beautiful. Get it now, just in time for Father’s Day. You’ll be glad you did.

Cheesecake by Chele | G/F The Podium, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong | Instagram: @cheesecakebychele