Imagine a free seat at a fine dining restaurant where each dish goes beyond flavor, offering a unique connection to Filipino culture and community—this is Archipelago. Archipelago is a minority, family, and women-owned Filipino American restaurant that creates delightful tasting menu experiences through culinary excellence and inspiring stories.
The restaurant’s attention to detail is evident from the uniquely shaped and beautifully sculpted dishware to the intricate placement of each ingredient highlighted in every bite. Each guest is intimately placed around the dinner table like warm-hearted friends and family.
The Philippines, a collection of over 7,000 islands, lies within the Western Pacific Ocean. The country’s geographical opportunities have gifted the creation of many seafood-based dishes and access to exotic produce unique to the islands.
Inspired by the Filipino ancestors and guided by the bounty of the PNW, Archipelago seamlessly bridges the gap between food accessibility and heritage by tastefully answering the question: What would the local Fillipinos cook if they were limited to Pacific Northwest ingredients?
Smoked Rye Sour Miki with Wagyu beef
Mahabang Buhay
Sweet soursop, bright pink aramang, and pinakbet vegetables are difficult finds at your local grocery store. Instead, Archipelago curates their dishes based on the ingredients available at nearby farms, thus reinventing original Filipino dishes into PNW renditions. Think homemade egg noodles, fresh seasonal berries, Washington fish, and foraged mushrooms.
The menus include seemingly endless spreads that stretch your stomach with steaming fresh breads, mouthwatering soups, and icy desserts. If you aren’t satiated by the last entree (leaving room for dessert), chefs accommodate and serve you more food! Yes, staff ask and attend to your stomach’s content with a plate tailored and portioned to satisfy your hunger. And if that isn’t enough, you might take the experience home with a little more.
The simple and meaningful gesture of accommodating to a guest’s appetite demonstrates the care for the food and strengthens the environment the staff work hard to create, right down to the thoughtful consideration of your dominant hand for utensil placement.
The experience may feel like a rare opportunity, but the menu rotates every three months and showcases seasonal ingredients, keeping you on your toes and taste buds. The curiosity for the next season’s fresh ingredients draws you back, offering a fresh and unique experience with each visit.
The restaurant continues to promote Filipino culture beyond their doors. In partnership with the Educators of Washington (FAEW), Filipino American US history is integrated into the Seattle Public School (SPS) system’s curricula. Filipino American history is US history, and US history is not an elective. We must amplify these voices within the ever-growing Seattle community.
A high school class visiting Archipelago. Over a smaller tasting menu of four courses, staff interacted with the students, having discussions and doing thought exercises.
Amber Manuguid
The Filipino community in Seattle lacks accessibility to service and hospitality industry experience. To combat this inequality, Archipelago staff carefully select culturally underrepresented individuals who are passionate about honoring and sharing their heritage. Archipelago continues their efforts for equal opportunity to the industries by collaborating with US History classes in the SPS and nearby school districts, making their restaurant an immersive learning space outside the regular classroom. They’re transforming the role of a Filipino fine dining restaurant in Seattle by using their platform to challenge outdated history books and ensure the stories of Filipino Americans are authentically told and recognized.
Archipelago serves more than flavorful, culturally rich food. As stated in their mission, they “uplift our people, our community, our collective beings, by building a foundation that fosters long-term growth and creativity.”
What truly sets Archipelago apart from other restaurants is its community leader program. Expanding and reaching out to the community in an extraordinary restaurant practice, individuals may nominate others who exemplify Archipelago’s values: identity,culture, and empowerment. Archipelago acknowledges and awards these community leaders with a free seat.
Break It Down, hosted by Archipelago for the food systems community: a day to connect, share, and heal. Group comprised of farmers, beverage folks, food justice activists, and more.
Amber Manuguid
The community leader program broadens who can experience fine dining and invites people into their community with culinary explorations and scholastic storytelling. Archipelago strengthens the Greater Seattle area with robust Filipino history inspired by their ancestors.
Archipelago fulfills their objectives as an organization every day. They share their culinary talents with the community and reinforce that food is an art created to be accessible to all. This commitment to inclusion allows more people to enjoy the restaurant's unique experience, demonstrating that good food and culture should never be limited by economic barriers.
Pro Tip: Plan ahead. There are a limited 12 seats per dinner service with one, four-person table. While 24 seats in a day may be minimal, Archipelago continues to reach out and expand their reach with their community-oriented impact.
