A dining experience for the young and young at heart
Come with me, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination…” This was the line from the popular song playing in my head as my son Diego and I took our seats at the Magic Table at Grand Hyatt Manila’s Penthouse No. 66.
There are meals you remember for flavor, others for company, but this one, you remember for how it makes you feel like a child again.
An invitation to play
Even before the first course arrives, you are invited to play. Capes, hats, and wands await you at your table. You put them on, playfully, and somehow, something inside shifts. You begin to let go.
Fantasy cocktails arrive—whimsical, theatrical, part of the story. The Illusion No. 1, a concoction of rum, ube mix, and pandan syrup, is a pretty sight. There’s something about a purple drink that instantly delights. Meanwhile, The Vanished, made with tequila, strawberry and almond syrup, and lemon, is quite literal—you must wave your hand over it to burst the bubble, releasing a soft puff of smoke before you take a sip.
Then, just like that—a soft rumble, a swell of music, a little fairy dust and a dash of abracadabra… and the table comes alive.
More than a place to dine
The table becomes the center of the experience—the storyteller, the magician, the stage where everything happens. 3D projections move across the surface. It talks, reacts, and gently guides you through the evening.
There’s magic, illusion, and just the right touch of play—even Koni (the dog of clairvoyants Thommy Ten and Amélie van Tass, who created the Magic Table with 2Spicy Entertainment GmbH), finds his way into the story, tail wagging, to the delight of dog lovers.
The table becomes more than where you dine; it opens up a world of possibilities. You solve puzzles. Unlock codes to free Harry Houdini. Lay out cards. Follow sequences, and only when you’ve completed a task does the next course arrive.
Each dish is an interactive chapter. The evening unfolds over five courses, each one moving the story forward. The table responds—projections shift, questions are asked, and little surprises appear. You’re not just watching, you’re a part of it.
The journey from earth to sea to fire
The menu is crafted by executive chef Gregor Streun of Grand Hyatt Manila—a chef shaped by years in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe, now bringing that discipline into something far more playful. When I asked how it all came together, his answer was simple: It had to feel like a story.
And you see that as soon as the first course is served.
It begins with fantasy, in the forest—porcini mushroom pâté, hazelnut soil, touches of fig, lemon, and pistachio. Earthy. Then the scallop, hidden beneath a crust, is revealed only as the warm bisque is poured.
The sea follows—crab and cod layered with avocado and topped with ikura. Familiar flavors, but lifted.
Then fire. This is the heart of the meal. A Mulwarra tenderloin beef Wellington—rich, composed, deeply satisfying. The beef is exceptionally tender. A touch of foie and fresh truffles are available for those who wish to take a more indulgent path.
And finally, the illusion. A dessert is encased in a chocolate sphere, revealed through flame. Dramatic. Magical. A fitting finish.
Chef Streun shares that the journey moves from earth, to sea, to fire, and into revelation—mirroring what unfolds on the table. And that is what makes it work. It’s not just a menu. Not just a show. It’s a story you taste, follow, and become part of.
The evening left us lighthearted, with Diego and me catching ourselves in quiet moments of laughter and smiles.
To be open-minded
The Magic Table is an experience that asks only one thing of you—to be open-minded. For summer, especially with kids in tow, this is a place to go. Not just to eat—but to remember what it feels like to be a child, and to be amazed, all over again.
The Hyatt Penthouse has become a popular destination for celebrations, especially children’s parties, not just for the illusions, but for the delightful menu of children’s favorites by chef Streun.
And the Magic Table is more than a place to dine—it’s a place to make memories.
For details and reservations, you may contact (+632)88381234
