The art of shared meals
Food is a love language we’re fluent in—spoken through feeding others, inviting people to eat with us, and dining with loved ones. It’s what we’re known for culturally: a hospitality that turns every meal into a shared experience.
The food echoes this language. Meals are always made for sharing, served in big portions (with plenty of varieties to choose from), and enjoyed best in the company of family and friends. Eating becomes more than sustenance—it’s ingrained in our day-to-day, so much so that cravings, portions, proximity, price, and place become key considerations when eating out.
But satiety and satisfaction? Always top of the list.
These spots, some familiar and some new, are proof that good food is translated into generous servings, comforting dishes, and spaces that make every gathering feel more special.
1. Cibo debuts summer-ready feasts for gatherings and get-togethers
Margarita Fores’s legacy continues in well-loved Italian brand Cibo as it introduces a new lineup of dishes for the summer—rooted in clear flavors, well-chosen ingredients, and comfort you can truly taste in every dish.
Whether for lunch, late merienda, or slow dinners in good company, the lineup starts strong with the Spaghettini Vongole E ’Nduja, a pasta dish where clams meet the spiced (and mildly spicy) ‘nduja sausage in a base of olive oil, white wine, and garlic. And for added lift and depth, sliced cherry tomatoes and chili flakes round out the dish. Available in solo, la famiglia, and festa sizes, it works just as well for solo meals as it does for the table.
For heft and heartiness, a Roman staple is reworked into a pizza. The Cacio e Pepe Pizza leads with pecorino and black pepper, tied together with mozzarella and parmigiano for that bold kick. Straightforward and seemingly simplistic, the flavors reveal a quiet complexity that balances sharpness, creaminess, and peppery notes that linger without overwhelming.
And finally, the Ali di Pollo Fritte—or chicken wings, done in true Cibo brand. Think crisp, golden, and meaty, finished off with parmigiano, and served with a trifecta of dips: garlic mayo, chili honey, or truffle honey.
These new dishes are available from April 6 to June 30, 2026, in all Cibo stores nationwide, with select store exclusions depending on the dish. All items are available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery
2. Tea and Toast, but make it not-so-basic (and umami)
From the founding sisters (Marika, Trixie, Mariell, and Pamela Chuateco) of Taste and Tell comes their latest food concept: Tea and Toast. Founded on their shared craving for all things umami, the brand was “born from a desire to disrupt the predictable”—that is, the run-of-the-mill traditional English breakfasts and standard brunch fares.
How? By “leaning into the deep, savory, and complex profiles that define Asian-inspired comfort.”
“We recommend the mushroom toast for those who appreciate the quiet power of earthiness,” the sisters tell Lifestyle Inquirer. “This isn’t just ‘mushrooms on bread’—it is a study in texture. We use a blend of premium mushrooms, sautéed to lock in their natural juices, and perched atop our signature thick-cut sourdough toasts. It’s rich, velvety, and hits those perfect earthy and umami notes.”
Another must-have is the salmon tataki, heavily influenced by a collective love for Japanese food. Picture this: generous chunks of fresh salmon on a warm bed of rice, drizzled with Taste and Tell’s secret sauce—torched for that added smokiness. Chuka wakame and crispy salmon skin chicharon go on top, adding a play of textures in the mouth.
Meanwhile, the kani aburi is a nod to the very dish that made Taste and Tell the well-loved brand that it is. A flagship dish that rode on the coattails of sushi bake when it was at its peak, this umami-forward dish features a bed of sushi rice, topped with crab meat and the secret sauce—flame-torched until smoky and caramelized. It’s best enjoyed with seaweed (wrapped like a taco, or a handheld bite), but can easily be eaten on its own.
“At Tea and Toast, our vision of community is simple: everyone has a seat at the table. We’ve designed our BGC branch to be a ‘living room for the city’—a space that is as inclusive as it is artisanal. Whether you’re stopping in for a solo morning reflection or gathering with your closest circle, you are part of the ritual,” they add.
Tea and Toast is located at Burgos Circle, Forbestown Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. The restaurant has available al fresco dining for those with pets, along with function rooms for large groups. Visit and follow @teaandtoastmnl on Instagram for more information
3. Beloved restaurant Ogawa reopens in new BGC space with authentic Japanese cuisine, made for sharing
Long regarded as a go-to choice for authentic Japanese cuisine, Ogawa Traditional Japanese Restaurant makes a comeback as it reopens its new location at the Upper Ground Floor of The Shoppes at Park McKinley West, along Lawton Avenue, BGC, Taguig.
Ogawa’s ethos echoes a deep respect for Japanese culinary heritage, a dedication to authenticity, and thoughtfulness for the Philippine audience, with dishes adapted to their palate.
Ogawa sources its ingredients straight from the motherland by flying in seafood from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, bringing in high-grade Wagyu beef (think Kobe, Matsusaka, Ohmi, Kagoshima, and Miyazaki), among other premium ingredients.
Veering away from the usual offerings of most Japanese restaurants here in the Philippines, Ogawa debuts a live robatayaki grilling experience that lets guests watch their food being prepared over open charcoal flames—and the introduction of the Burgeryaki, an “exciting new offering that reflects the restaurant’s evolving approach while staying rooted in tradition,” according to the restaurant’s representative.
But not one to forget the need for variety and the wide range of cravings and preferences to satisfy, Ogawa offers familiar favorites, including set menus, yakitori, and maki rolls , among many other delicious offerings.
For reservations and inquiries, guests may contact the restaurant directly through 0917-856-4292 or (02)7001-8314. Stay updated on the latest news, menu highlights, and announcements by following Ogawa on Instagram @Ogawa.Manila and Facebook @OgawaTraditionalJapaneseRestaurant
