MAKATI CITY — Tucked away on the second level of Karrivin Plaza, a new bar-slash-pizza joint is turning heads with its offbeat name and even more unconventional approach to comfort food. Joséphine at Cutie Pie, the latest venture from the culinary team behind acclaimed restaurants Metiz and Automat, feels less like a formal dining establishment and more like a friend's apartment, a cozy, quirky space where the vibe is relaxed and the food is seriously good.
A Space That Feels Like Home
The experience begins the moment you step inside. Guests walk down a corridor adorned with seemingly mismatched pieces, a vintage chandelier, flowers, and artwork depicting squid and octopi over a cosmic backdrop, before arriving at a door illustrated with pizza slices. Beyond it lies a cozy dining area with starfish pillows, checkerboard table mats, and cube-shaped Capiz lanterns. The lighting is subdued, though sunlight filters through windows behind the Italian deck ovens during the day. It's the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time, swapping updates over good booze and grub. The unique naming convention, Joséphine and Cutie Pie, was chosen by the chefs to evoke the feel of a band name, adding to the venue's playful, unpretentious character.
Pizza with Precision
At the heart of Cutie Pie is a meticulously crafted 10-inch pizza with a hybrid New York-style crust aged for 48 to 72 hours. It's crispy with a well-browned bottom, slightly chewy, and pliable enough to fold, yet sturdy enough to hold its shape when held straight. The flavor options are playful, building off classics while taking them in unexpected directions. Standouts include the Bon'Chovy, which skips tomato sauce entirely for a rich layer of bagna cauda (garlic and anchovies rendered in olive oil and butter), topped with garlic confit and whole anchovies. The result is a savory, umami-forward pie that stays balanced without feeling greasy. The use of "pie" as the term for pizza reflects the Northeast American parlance, staying true to the hybrid style.
A Bar with Character and Distinct Hours
The bar, named Joséphine after Jose Rizal's common-law wife, complements the pizzeria's cheeky energy with a sense of refined charm. The cocktail menu features modernized classics, including a cacao butter-washed Negroni and a cocktail version of the legendary Weng Weng. It's a place where the drinks are just as thoughtful as the food, designed to be shared and savored. Cutie Pie (pizza) is open on Tuesdays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Joséphine (bar) operates Tuesday through Saturday from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
A New Community Gathering Spot
Chefs Stephan Duhesme and Arlo Gregorio have intentionally kept the experience "relatable and familiar". Unlike their other ventures, the more fine-dining-adjacent Metiz and the bistro-like Automat, Cutie Pie is casual and straightforward—a space where you can drop in for a slice and stay for the conversation. It's honest, fun, and explicitly designed for sharing over a few drinks. For anyone tired of the same old pizzerias, this thoughtful, chef-driven corner in Makati is a must-visit.
