Kitchen

4 New Family-friendly Restaurants You Need to Try

by Paulyne Fermin
March 25, 2024

Celebrate and treat the family to gastronomic delights as you all indulge in these new up-and-coming, family-friendly restaurants in the Metro.

It’s another weekend and we’re looking for new family-friendly places to dine in. The past weeks saw us having the same run-of-the-mill nosh and our taste buds are practically begging us to search far and wide for exciting flavors.

And finally, here it is! A list of four newly discovered and newly opened restaurants that will surely reawaken your love for good food.

Who can resist bites of crunchy, succulent cochinillo? How about a whole spread of local and international dishes while you dine with a 180-degree view of the bay? Or perhaps regional specialty dishes are more to your liking.

But we guarantee the tasting menu of one fine dining establishment is quite the steal at around PHP 6,000 per plate after you’ve experienced its glorious courses. It’s not our practice to gatekeep, so read on and feel free to try these recommendations.

Cochi: A Feast of Flavors

Cochi: A Feast of Flavors is the second branch of the original Cochi Bistro in Eastwood City. As its name suggests, the restaurant is known for serving elevated executions of popular local and international dishes.

Located in the middle of the bustling 27^th street in BGC, the place occupies 220 sqm of prime property with furniture that can be rearranged for all kinds of functions. Operating hours extend until past midnight during weekends when a DJ performs. Moreover, diners are encouraged to make reservations ahead of time not only to secure a table but also a serving of its famous cochinillo.

family-friendly restaurant by astute businessman and chef Marvin Agustin — *From humble beginnings to building a food empire—Astute businessman and chef Marvin Agustin started his third food company Yummyverse of which Cochi is a part of.*

Drawing inspiration from Casa Lucio’s cochinillo in Madrid, Owner and Executive Chef Marvin Agustin shares, “My recipe is the result of many hours spent in the kitchen during the pandemic. I was craving for lechon and thought ‘Why not try cooking it myself?'”

He adds, “I initially tried my hand at baking, then progressed to mixing my own spices for the suckling pig (a craze at the time) and cooking it in the deck oven meant for baking bread. [After] I posted it online, orders poured in. That re-fueled my passion for the restaurant business when the restrictions allowed me to open new dining concepts.”

*The C Factor—With cozy interiors designed to bring in the feel of the park fronting it, Cochi draws diners in because of its contemporary take on food and its ambiance.*

Must-haves from Cochi

We love the rib-leg cochinillo (good for 3 to 4 people) and its three sauces—a kamias marmalade, toum or Lebanese garlic sauce, and bell pepper sauce. The server advised us to try the pork dish by itself before dipping. Either way is divine.

We also liked the angus salpicao, chizmozas (kinilaw na tuna served with a hefty side of pig’s ear chips), corned beef sinigang (served with bone marrow, cured beef, and grilled veggies in a taro-enriched broth), and the chorizo paella style rice.

Everything in this family-friendly restaurant is familiar yet deliciously new. To end the feast, we had a bite of the maldita—a dark chocolate cake—and found ourselves already planning the next visit even before we could step out the front door.

Seating capacity: 80 in the main hall, 12 in the private room
Cost per head: PHP 800 to PHP 2000 (with wine and/or cochinillo order)
Location: Unit 1 Ground Floor Verve Residences Tower 2, 27^th Street BGC
For reservations: 09352101341

Cyan Modern Kitchen

For people with big appetites, Cyan Modern Kitchen in Lanson Place Manila is a must-visit. The all-day family-friendly restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows which affords every guest the same beautiful view of the cyan-hued Manila Bay.

Sprawled across the 583 sqm buffet dining place are four interactive kitchens serving different cuisines: Indian, Japanese, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian. Other highlights include on-the-spot grilling, pizza, salad, dessert, and coffee stations, which are manned by skilled chefs who bake, cook, cut, and prepare the different food items to perfection.

*Executive Chef Kristine Oro specializes in fine dining cuisine and brings 24 years of experience in curating the dishes served in Cyan Modern Kitchen.*

Must-haves from Cyan Modern Kitchen

The carving station, unsurprisingly, is the spot where diners come back to multiple times for its irresistible smoky flavors and marinated options. The porchetta or pork belly, which is steamed for two hours and slow-roasted after, is a mouthwatering combination of sublime layered goodness. The result? Crispy skin on the top, a thin layer of juicy fat in the middle, and succulent meat in the bottom.

One bite is never enough, so please leave your calorie counter by the door. We also love the beef rump, roast chicken, salmon caulibiac, and the roasted potatoes. Kudos to the sous chef in charge of this particular side dish because it’s rare to have the trappings done as excellently as the mains!

The beef ragu, fresh salads with edible flowers, versatile noodle station, and blueberry cheesecake are also winners in our book. Moreover, we appreciate the attentive service and that special requests are catered to like choice in pizza toppings, combinations for fruit shakes, and even coffee flavors that are not on the menu.

Perfect for All Gatherings—The play of natural and ambient lighting, contemporary fixtures, and sophisticated décor make Cyan Modern Kitchen an enviable destination for both leisure and corporate diners. Now operating on its soft opening phase, it is set to add more items to its spread once Lanson Place Hotel formally opens in April.

Dress code: Strictly observed
Seating capacity: 200 main hall, 50 outdoor space
Cost per head: PHP 1500 ++ (weekdays) and PHP 2100 ++ (weekends)
Location: 3^rd floor Lanson Place Mall Of Asia, Block 12, Palm Coast Avenue
For reservations: +632 7777 0000

FAMU

This one’s for the Southies! FAMU is the newest family-friendly restaurant from the Mamalou’s Group that offers a dining experience akin to enjoying family home-cooked meals. Consider it a gastronomic feast where a single visit allows a sojourn to different regions and their famed foods. The cuisine is literally a tribute to the country’s diverse culinary landscape with a menu that features regional specialties.

*Visionary Restauranteur—David Sison’s passion for Filipino cuisine is fueled by his extensive travels and commitment to local sustainability.*

Must-haves from FAMU

Our favorites are the crispy bagnet from Ilocos, savory sisig from Pampanga, and comforting kansi soup from Iloilo. Meanwhile, the establishment’s commitment to fair trade and sustainable practices has led it to partner with local farmers who supply them with the freshest ingredients.

Owner and Executive chef David Sison states “FAMU’s dishes are narratives of the Filipino food landscape. Our dishes are consciously crafted with meats and produce sourced with integrity.”

Farm-to-table Family Dining—FAMU’s interiors mirror the warmth of a Filipino home as it blends traditional design elements with contemporary touches, interactive displays, and educational layouts that enrich the dining experience.

Seating capacity: 100
Cost per head: PHP 800
Location: Ayala Mall Vermosa, Daang Hari Road, Imus Cavite
For reservations: 0939 4074849

Taupe by Chef Francis Tolentino

The word around town is that a seat at Taupe is the most coveted and most challenging to reserve. Taupe opened its doors in January this year and has been booked every single night.

A restaurant concept from the Forefront Lifestyle Group, this tasting menu concept takes the diner to an incomparable culinary experience. Chef Francis showcases his artistry by masterfully combining unexpected flavors that elevate local ingredients while seamlessly incorporating global elements into his dishes.

At PHP 6,000 per head, diners get to enjoy a ten-course meal. Each dish is introduced and explained at length by the resident hostess while servers present the elements used in its preparation.

Celebrated Chef—Taupe is the brainchild of Chef Francis Tolentino. “Taupe is my favorite color and serves as a neutral canvas for my artistic vision which encompasses the interiors, the food, and ultimately its presentation," he shares. — Celebrated Chef—Taupe is the brainchild of Chef Francis Tolentino. “Taupe is my favorite color and serves as a neutral canvas for my artistic vision which encompasses the interiors, the food, and ultimately its presentation,” he shares.

Must-haves from Taupe

We love the house-made tart with mushroom custard topped with caviar and infused with truffle. This came inside a bell-shaped dome that releases sampaguita smoke once it’s opened—a palate pleaser and a visual delight altogether.

This is followed by servings of seafood—in this case, a tiger prawn from Roxas City that is slowly poached in butter, placed on carabao mousse and topped with katuray ensalada; a Kurubota pork that’s water-baked for 36 hours and infused with pork bone broth; and an Angus beef rib eye steak served with squash puree, some greens and Japanese rice from Ilocos.

Every dish reveal builds up the excitement around the table. But just when you think you’ve tasted their best, Chef Tolentino serves not just one, but three mouthwatering desserts to end his chef d’oeu-vre on the highest note possible. Our favorite is the honeydew longan latik topped with thin white meringue wafers which reminds us of a local kakanin called inutak.

Overall, this show of the senses, if you will, is something we’d like to experience again… and again.

Clean, Elegant, and Modern—Taupe embodies sophistication and innovation. It offers a unique multisensory dining experience that should not be missed. — *Clean, Elegant, and Modern—Taupe embodies sophistication and innovation with a unique multisensory dining experience that should not be missed.*

Seating capacity: 25
Cost per head: PHP 5,000 for an 8-course menu, PHP 6,000 for a 10-course menu, with additional PHP 1,900 for the cocktail pairing option
Location: 26^th Street The Meridien Tower 2, BGC
For reservations: 0962 7189892

Bon appetit, everybody!