Modern Asian and Filipino cuisines at popular chic urban cafe and outdoor terrace in heart of Makati

October 31st, 2013

Since opening back in 2004, Museum Cafe has become one of the trendsetting modern cafes in Manila with its alluring combination of modern Asian cuisines, refreshing cocktails and chic, contemporary vibe. Conveniently located in the heart of Makati, at the entrance to both the Ayala Museum and the famous Greenbelt complex of malls, Museum Cafe attracts an eclectic clientele of local residents and business executives, guests from the numerous nearby luxury hotels, and shoppers visiting the Greenbelt malls.

Last year, taking the opportunity to expand into the adjacent space previously occupied by the Museum store, the owner-operators of Museum Cafe– local restaurant group Raintree Restaurants– closed the cafe for a refurbishment- and re-opened in October 2012 with both an expanded footprint and a new dining concept- Kabila Filipino Bistro. Adjoining the original Museum Cafe, Kabila offers a compilation of favorite regional Filipino dishes- crafted from classic recipes and authentic ingredients, but reintrepreted with modern tweaks and presentation-  perfectly complementing the popular modern Asian cuisines served at M Cafe (local vernacular for Museum Cafe). The two restaurants blend together seamlessly, with a subtle differentiation in decor style defining the two concepts. Guests seated within either restaurant can conveniently order dishes from both menus- facilitating the broadest selection of dishes to share among friends and families.

M Cafe and Kabila offer daily all-day dining- commencing with breakfast from 8 am to 11 am- and with the kitchens open until 11 pm. The outdoor bar and terrace of M Cafe also attracts a vibrant night scene with its sophisticated yet relaxed vibe, and the famous “M Sessions” with local and international DJs playing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until late. Sunday brunches are another standout attraction at M Cafe & Kabila– with the newly launched “Sunday Boutique Brunch” promotion offering hearty serves of Asian, Continental and Filipino breakfast favorites.

Cuisines of Museum Cafe & Kabila Filipino Bistro
Long one of the most relaxed and enjoyable places to eat casually in Makati, the cleverly balanced culinary concept at M Cafe retains its attraction with well-executed renditions of modern Asian, and Western, cafe-style cuisine. A broad selection of dishes are assembled under categories such as Snacks & Bites, M Dim Sum, Salad, Pizza Rustica, Noodles & Pasta, and Asian Inspirations.

Expanding the culinary options with the addition of Kabila Filipino Bistro, the inventive Kabila menu features an almost encylopedic representation of regional Filipino cuisines. Designed to share “family style”, traditional dishes and authentic ingredients are tastefully reinterpreted into a variety of intriguing new dishes, albeit with familiar flavor combinations.

In addition to their solid culinary credentials, refreshing beverages at M Cafe are perfectly calibrated to complement the relaxed and congenial all-dining vibe- and headlined with the newly introduced selection of sumptuous house-infused cocktails. A concise list of “M Classics” cocktails includes further house-infused concoctions- with local and native ingredients inflecting a distinctively Filipino dimension to the drinks. Supplementing the cocktail program, the drinks list offers a wide selection of beers and wine, gourmet teas and coffee, blended smoothies and fresh juices, and a full list of other beverages.

Museum Cafe

Museum Cafe & Kabila Bistro share a prominent location opposite the entrance to the Ayala Museum and the adjacent Greenbelt lifestyle complex. Museum Cafe extends across an expansive, undercover, outdoor terrace area in addition to the indoor seating.

The main bar at M Cafe occupies the a corner of the outdoor space- directly opposite the lush vegetation of the Greenbelt gardens.

The M Cafe interior features an understated contemporary elegance, with a relaxing  palette of muted earth tones. Further tables are located on the upper mezzanine level- which is also popular for functions and private parties. 

Kabila- Filipino Bistro

Connecting seamlessly with its sibling restaurant- Kabila occupies a bright and airy “L” shaped space the street frontage.

A full height glass facade encloses Kabila- and floods the interior during the day with bright daylight- and streetscape views. The decor is casually stylish- bright orange fabric on chair backs and booth seats add a bold, contemporary element to the decor.

An open serving counter delineates the two dining areas- with M Cafe in the background, and Kabila at the front.

Selected dishes from Kabila & M Cafe menus

Sweet Fire Chicken Wings-  garlic yogurt dip, toasted black sesame. (M Cafe menu)

Szechuan-style crispy lamb ribs- minted mango chutney & rock salt (M Cafe menu)

Crystal Prawn Dumplings (M Cafe menu)

Southern Style “Singuglaw”- sinugba & kinilaw- tanguigne “Kinilaw”. Charred pork Liempo & red radish shreds. (Kabila menu)

Shrimp Ukoy- Sukang Ilocoos & Sili rock salt. (Kabila menu)

Kabila’s Pork Bagnet- sukang Ilocis, chili rock salt, & “KBL”- kamatis, bagoong balayan, lasunga relish. (Kabila menu)

Tagayan- classic cocktail re-interpretations using local & native ingedients

Lemongrass & Peach Sake Martini- lemongrass-infused sake, fresh peach, vodka, lime syrup.

Guinumis- Sago’t Gulaman, raw sugar pandan syrup, tapioca pearls, coconut milk, & pinipig crunch. Classic Filipino sweet drink.

Juicy Fruit Mojito- juicy fruit- infused Lambanog, pandan- infused rum, fresh mint. 

Manga et Guava- manga juice, green mango, guava infused vodka, sugar syrup, blended and garnished with green mango and pandan leaf.

Kapatid- Citrus Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sugar syrup, chili vodka, garnished with sili finger.

Gin Pom Pi- pomelo infused gin, muddled fresh pipino (cucumber), fresh pomelo shreds, Palawan honey, cucumber sticks.

Libre Mi- Don Papa Rum, pandan panocha syrup, calamansi, Coca Cola. Garnished with pandan leaf.

Sunday Boutique Brunch

(Click on image to enlarge)

Museum Cafe & Kabila Filipino Bistro-  Ayala Museum Complex, Manila

Address: Ground Floor Level, Ayala Museum complex, Makati Avenue, Makarti City. Metro Manila. Philippines
Reservations: +63.2. 757 3000
Facebook:   facebook.com/raintreemcafe
Website:   www.raintreerestaurants.com 
Opening Hours:  Daily   08:00 am ~ 11:00 pm ( Breakfast 8 am to 11 am)
DJ Nights:  Thursday / Friday / Saturday 10:00 pm onwards
Dress Code:  Casual