Atherton to open first restaurant in the Philippines with Filipino wife Irha
Described by Atherton as a “love letter” to his wife, the 57-cover venue is to open in the city's MSY Tower in June, with Irha as co-director, and in partnership with Cebu-based Chris and Carla McKowen.
There will be a tapas-style sharing menu “with a Filipino twist”, developed in collaboration with Manila-born chef Tim dela Cruz. Typical dishes on the menu will include jamon and Manchego toastie with quail’s eggs; lechon de leche with spiced pork-fat roasted carrots and herb dressing, and pulled pork burgers with spiced tomato chutney and avocado. Brunch will also be served from 8:30am to 3pm, offering a range of egg-based dishes.
The cocktail menu will feature new creations from group bar executive Jamie Jones, mixing traditional Filipino fruits with British cocktail styles, such as the McBandaq, which uses locally-produced rum and root beer, with fresh banana.
Design will be inspired by Cebu's Spanish colonial history, and will be from Shanghai-based architect Lyndon Neri, of Neri and Hu, which also designed many of the group’s other restaurants including the recently-launched Japanese-style London site, Sosharu.
Including The Pig & Palm, the chef’s Social Company restaurant group will stretch to 16 worldwide, with the Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social, Social Eating House and City Social in London, plus the soon-to-open site in the central Victoria development, Nova.
Already established in Asia, the group includes 22 Ships, Aberdeen Street Social, and Ham & Sherry in Hong Kong; The Commune Social and Table No 1 in Shanghai, China; and The Marina Social in Dubai.
Atherton also operates The Clocktower in New York City and Kensington Street Social in Sydney, Australia.
Commenting on the new venture, Atherton said: "It has always been Irha’s dream to bring some of the success of our restaurant group, The Social Company, back to her hometown of Cebu. As my wife and co-director of the company, it gives me no greater joy than to open a Social destination here as my love letter to her.”"
