Tradicionale Opens in Chelsea: A New Chapter for Filipino Dining in NYC

Opening September 16 in Chelsea, Tradicionale marks the arrival of Chelsea's first Filipino-Spanish restaurant - a gathering place where food, cocktails, and community carry equal weight. As the first full-service project of AJC Hospitality, it doesn't simply join the growing wave of Filipino dining in New York, it expands it - inviting guests into an experience where heritage and hospitality come together under one roof.

When Chef Anton Dayrit, Joey Chanco, and Carla Caramat came together to form AJC Hospitality, it wasn't just about opening a restaurant. It was about creating something New York hadn't seen before - a full - service Filipino - Spanish restaurant that could honor tradition while offering something fresh, modern, and distinctly their own. For Chef Anton, who honed his craft at kitchens like Tabla, ABC Kitchen, Buddakan, and Jean - Georges before launching beloved concepts like Mighty Bowl and The Hive, Tradicionale is the culmination of years spent blending technique with soul.

With Tradicionale, they've done just that. The concept is born of collaboration: three partners pooling their perspectives, their heritage, and their community ties to build a place that feels both familiar and new.

"We asked ourselves: what's missing in Filipino dining right now? And how do we add to the growing popularity of our culture in a way that feels authentic but also pushes things forward?" says Carla.

That meant not only designing a menu, but shaping an entire experience. Tradicionale is as much about community as it is about cuisine: a third space where neighbors, friends, and first-timers can gather. Christian Crisologo conceptualized the interior design to blend the warmth of a Filipino tambayan with the elegance of a European café.

The bar, a centerpiece of the room, was imagined not as an afterthought but as a reason to linger - over tapas, cocktails, and conversations that stretch into the night. A hidden screen, revealed only when needed, turns the restaurant into a communal sports lounge, reimagining what a Filipino bar can be. To bring that vision to life, the team tapped into the creative energy of local partners. Nicolas Brimau of La French Pour shaped a cocktail program rooted in Filipino ingredients and storytelling - from the pandan and coconut laced Girl's Dinner martini to the smoky, tropical Pinya margarita and the bitter - spicy Anghang negroni. Each drink carries its own point of view, extending the menu's narrative into the glass.

At the helm of the kitchen, Chef Anton brings his Spanish - Filipino lineage and French training to every plate. Baby Octopus Adobo. Longanisa Fried Rice with Crab. His mother's Callos, lovingly reimagined. These aren't just recipes. They're reflections of migration, memory, and joy. To pair, the team partnered with Stiliani Moulinos of Brooklyn's Noble Plateware to design custom dishes. Everything from sizzling plates to taco molds were crafted specifically for Tradicionale's service, making the plate ware feel as intentional as the food itself. These collaborations ensure that every detail feels personal, purposeful, and deeply connected to the community that surrounds the restaurant.

But Tradicionale is also looking ahead. Behind a velvet curtain lies Casa 156, a by-reservation cocktail lounge that will debut later this fall. Conceived as a space for intimacy and discovery, it will host rotating mixologist residencies, kamayan dinners, corporate events, and artistic collaborations, continuing AJC Hospitality's vision of hospitality that goes beyond the plate.

"Filipino food isn't just trending - it's evolving," says Anton. "We wanted to create a place that makes our community proud and also gives New Yorkers something new to experience. This is just the beginning of what we hope to share."