Back in the days when I would own my Saturday nights, I’d usually drawn the worries of work behind and just enjoy the night over great food, great music and great company until the restaurant would close and we’d literally be the last customer asked to leave.
Days like these don’t come by too often anymore, except last Thursday night, when my husband, son and I found ourselves in the compendium of restaurants in Kapitolyo, looking for the Open Kitchen by 48 Concepts which would be located at 71-B East Capitol Drive in Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
It’s a relief that the restaurant’s exteriors were all painted in white as the color was a contrast to all other nearby restaurants that all looked red to me.
Getting in, I was immediately hooked by the white, brown and brick theme within the cool, spacious and minimalist interior. For whatever limitation in parking the restaurant apparently had, the ambience certainly made up for it, especially when I heard my favorite Astrud Gilberto playing on the background. Part of the décor would be two trumpets hanging on the wall. Couple these with a wooden table with a bottle of wine, and immediately they all gave me an impression that the man who owns this place must really understand what good taste is all about.
More Photos of Open Kitchen by 48 Concepts here
The staff was attentive and handed the menu immediately. However, I was also intrigued by the handwritten menu on the wall using neon colored pen. Seeing my mouth hung open as I intently looked at each offering, Chef Miguel Pacheco approached me and recommended that I try the pizza. “Which variant should try?” I asked. To which, he replied “Our pizzas are all good. It really depends on what you like.” To which, my son joined the conversation and said “I like four-cheese pizza.”
When it was served on the table, it was my first time to see a four-cheese pizza that’s colored green instead of the usual yellow. Later on, I realized that it was cooked in brick oven and fresh greens that topped our pizza came from its own backyard/garden right at the back of the restaurant.
Meanwhile, I ordered pasta with roasted garlic, olives and white wine. My husband preferred a dish called “48 bowl of happiness,” which was a glorified rich braised beef shank stew served with steamed rice.
Dessert was vanilla ice cream with caramel and muesli.
If all these were free, you would expect all of us to order a second helping, as everything we ordered tasted great and we hardly felt that we’re just in Kapitolyo. While inside, I thought we were in Tagaytay.
“Masarap ba?” Chef Miguel later asked my son if what they served were delicious. To which, Kyle replied “Oh yes, and you know, when I grow up, I’d like to be a chef.”
The Open Kitchen by 48 Concepts operates from Tuesday to Sunday for Lunch at 12:00nn – 3:00pm, and for Dinner at 6:00 – 10:00 pm. It’s closed on Monday.
Open Kitchen Official Facebook Website here