MAKATI CITY — Behind an unmarked entrance inside a warehouse complex along Chino Roces Avenue, a familiar favorite among wine enthusiasts has quietly reopened its doors. Following a brief renovation, The Bevvy has returned with a refreshed look that feels warmer, cozier, and more immersive while remaining faithful to its original philosophy: “Where fine wine can be casual.” Alongside this hidden gem, Makati also recently hosted a celebrated Spanish-Latin pop-up dining experience, adding another exciting chapter to the city’s evolving food scene.
A Hidden Wine Destination Inside a Warehouse
The Bevvy’s discreet location is part of its charm. Without visible signage, guests discover the venue rather than simply walk past it. Once inside, visitors are encouraged to browse the wine shelves, select their preferred bottle, and purchase it at retail pricing, eliminating the traditional restaurant markup and creating a more accessible wine experience. Originally established as a wholesale wine and spirits distributor, The Bevvy naturally benefited from the storage capacity offered by its warehouse setting. Over time, customers transformed the concept themselves. What began as a retail operation gradually evolved into an informal gathering space before eventually becoming a full-service bar and kitchen. Today, the menu features a combination of Filipino comfort food, Japanese izakaya-inspired favorites, and European wine bar classics, all carefully designed to complement the extensive wine selection.
The newly renovated venue introduces several enhancements, including a more immersive wine display, a warmer and more intimate bar atmosphere, a cozy al fresco area suited for leisurely wine sessions and conversations, and the return of the original Pilsner Urquell on draft. Future wine tastings and educational programs through The Bevvy University are also being planned. Located at UPRC III Building, 2289 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City, The Bevvy also caters to private celebrations and corporate functions through minimum consumable packages that provide exclusive use of the venue for four hours.
El Cortijo Brings Batangas Flavors to Rockwell
While The Bevvy offers a permanent destination, Makati also welcomed a temporary culinary experience that transported diners from the city to the countryside. El Cortijo Restaurante, a well-loved dining destination from Lipa, Batangas known for its rustic finca atmosphere and sprawling lanzones farm, temporarily relocated to The Balmori Suites in Rockwell for a five-week residency that ran until May 10, 2026. Executive Chef Ziggy Segunial led the pop-up at The Balmori Suites’ Chef’s Table, a venue specifically designed to host guest chefs and curated dining concepts in an intimate setting. The residency provided Metro Manila diners with a unique opportunity to experience one of Batangas’ most respected restaurants without leaving the city.
Following a Culinary Journey Across Spain and Latin America
According to owner Patrick Reyes, the restaurant’s culinary concept follows what he describes as a “food arc”, a gastronomic journey that begins in Spain before extending across Latin America, showcasing dishes that share deep historical and cultural roots with the Iberian Peninsula. The menu featured a diverse selection of specialties, including octopus and squid-ink croquettes, spinach croquettes, Brazilian coconut seafood stew known as moqueca, tataki-style tuna loin paired with Peruvian escabeche, wahoo Vera Cruz, and a dessert trio consisting of bittersweet chocolate meringue, tres leches, and alfajores.
El Cortijo welcomed diners daily, except Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout its residency at The Balmori Suites until May 10, 2026. For travelers and food enthusiasts seeking an authentic taste of Filipino-Spanish regional influences, experiences like El Cortijo provide a rare opportunity to enjoy celebrated provincial cuisine without embarking on a long road trip. As limited-engagement dining concepts continue to gain popularity, they are becoming an increasingly important part of Makati’s culinary landscape.
