This New Seafood Dining Destination Brings the ‘Dampa’ Experience to the Mall
Seafood 8 by Olio’s officially celebrated its grand opening at The Lagoon, Gateway Mall 2 on September 18, introducing a new seafood dining destination in Araneta City where fresh catches are elevated through eight signature and exclusive sauces.
Behind this new restaurant, which offers an elevated bistro-style dining experience, is Chef Oliver “Oli” Buenviaje. Throughout his extensive global culinary career, Chef Oliver has been associated with Michelin multi-starred seafood restaurants of impeccable quality and renown. So it comes as no surprise that his homecoming to the Philippines would entail the modernizing and upgrading of the “dampa“ dining concept.
Dampa is the original “market-to-table ” food experience, where you select and buy raw, fresh seafood, as one would in a traditional wet market, and then have on-site kitchens prepare and cook the dishes according to your liking. Seafood 8 elevates this concept, bringing the “dampa“ to Gateway Mall 2.
The 130-seater restaurant features extensive aquarium displays for the live sea creatures, and beds of fish, crustaceans, and shellfish on ice. One opts to grill, fry, or steam the selected menu items at the open kitchen, and the bespoke dining is topped off with your selection of one of the eight “mother” sauces.
The present line-up of the Seafood 8 Signature Sauces reflects the travels of Chef Oli—who lists Sorsogon, Bicol as his birthplace—and his accumulated kitchen knowledge and business acumen. In no particular order, they are Miso Butter, Inasal Citrus Ginger & Soy, Oriental Chili Caramel, Latin Chimichurri, Pomodoro Tomato Olive Capers, Gambas Roja, Bagoong Bernaise, and Sambal XO Chili. There’ll be something to delight everyone’s palate.
The celebration was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Araneta Group Chairman, President, and CEO Mr. Jorge Araneta; Singaporean food and beverage guru and the man behind World Kitchens, Mr. Andrew Tan Hock Lai; and Seafood 8 by Olio’s Company & Culinary Director, Australia-based Chef Oliver “Oli” Buenviaje. Adding glamour to the occasion were Binibining Pilipinas International 2026 Gwendoline Meliz Soriano, Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2026 Sasha Lacuna, Binibining Pilipinas 2026 1st Runner-up Raine Antonio, and Binibining Pilipinas 2026 2nd Runner-up Tracy Mae Sunio.
During the grand launch of Seafood 8 by Olio’s, guests were treated to a specially curated dinner that showcased the restaurant’s fresh seafood offerings and signature flavors. The menu featured Garden Green Salad; Baby Pusit with garlic confit and aged soy; Tanigue Ceviche with yuzu, nahm jim and pickled cucumber; Pacific Oysters; Halaan Tinola Soup; Dover Sole Meunière; Branzino al Sale with lemon butter and clams; Fresh Tiger Lobster with calamansi hollandaise and Olio’s chili supreme XO sauce; Tuna Belly with miso den and Latin chimichurri sauce; Tinapa Fried Rice; and Gamberetti Spaghetti Pasta. Dessert was Coconut Panna Cotta with calamansi leaves granita and mango gel.
The evening also featured a celebratory toast, accompanied by cocktails, highballs from the Whisky Bar, wines from World Cellar, and a selection of canapés served throughout the celebration.
Located at The Lagoon in Gateway Mall 2, Seafood 8 by Olio’s brings Chef Oli Buenviaje’s seafood-forward culinary vision to Araneta City, offering diners a distinctive experience that combines premium ingredients, innovative flavors, and warm hospitality in an inviting setting.