Manila's café boom finds its latest must-visit in Ayala Triangle Gardens, where Kazu Café and acclaimed chef Miko Calo bring together French finesse and Japanese comfort in a menu that transforms everyday brunch into a quiet luxury.

The way we discover restaurants has changed. Since the pandemic, Manila's café culture has evolved beyond simply grabbing a cup of coffee. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and the rise of aesthetic living have turned cafés into destinations where beautifully plated meals, thoughtfully designed interiors, and specialty drinks are just as important as the food itself. As coffee appreciation continues to grow alongside the city's enduring matcha obsession, diners are increasingly searching for places that offer memorable experiences worth sharing.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Makati, where Ayala Triangle Gardens has quietly become one of the city's most exciting culinary districts. Amid its collection of sought-after restaurants sits Kazu Café, an all-day dining concept from Nippon Hasha Inc. — the restaurant group behind beloved Japanese institutions including Ramen Yushoken, Mendokoro Ramenba, Marudori Ramenba, and Kazunori. Established in late 2024, the café embraces yōshoku, Japan's beloved interpretation of Western comfort food, serving familiar café classics through a distinctly Japanese lens. Now, the café is elevating that philosophy even further through a collaboration with one of the country's most respected chefs.

Until September, Kazu Café welcomes Chef Miko Calo with an exclusive brunch menu that seamlessly blends French culinary techniques with Japanese traditions. Rather than treating the two cuisines as separate influences, the collaboration explores&nbsp;yōshoku at its finest, combining the uniquely Japanese practice of transforming Western dishes into something entirely its own. The menu debuted in June with 13 new creations, including eight brunch dishes and five desserts that will eventually become permanent fixtures on Kazu Café's menu.

Chef Miko hardly needs an introduction within the local dining scene. After graduating at the top of her class from FERRANDI Paris, she spent seven years under the prestigious Joël Robuchon group across Paris, London, and Singapore before returning home to open the acclaimed Metronome. More recently, she has led Taquería Franco to a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction while continuing to champion thoughtful, globally informed cooking that remains deeply personal, and her collaboration with Kazu Café reflects exactly that sensibility.
Among the standout dishes is the Pâté de Campagne Sando, where a painstakingly prepared three-day pâté de campagne is tucked into pillowy Japanese shokupan with umeboshi and pickled vegetables, marrying classic French charcuterie with the accessibility of a Japanese sandwich. Equally compelling is the French Onion Maze Soba, a clever reinterpretation of French onion soup that combines caramelized onions, Gruyère espuma, and onion fondant with Japanese noodles for a bowl that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly original.

The menu continues to blur culinary boundaries through dishes such as the Kazu Curry Parmentier, layering curried beef ragù beneath creamy potato purée and gratinéed Gruyère, and the Steak &amp; Eggs, where flank steak, Café de Paris sauce, and a signature tornado egg are served over rice. Even the familiar Croque Monsieur is reimagined as a shokupan sandwich paired with comforting tonjiru soup.
Dessert, meanwhile, deserves equal attention. The Yuzu French Toast brightens buttery brioche with freshly prepared yuzu curd and toasted meringue, while the Hojicha Tiramisu introduces roasted Japanese tea into the beloved Italian classic. Those looking for something distinctly Japanese shouldn't miss the Mont Blanc Kakigori, a refreshing shaved ice dessert layered with chestnut cream, blackcurrant compote, and toasted sesame crème anglaise. Completing the experience are Kazu Café's Matcha and Hojicha Kumo beverages alongside its specialty coffee program developed with Good Cup Coffee.

What makes the collaboration particularly refreshing is its accessibility. Instead of reserving Chef Miko's creations for an exclusive tasting menu, Kazu Café serves them as part of its daily brunch offering, inviting guests to enjoy refined cooking in an approachable café setting. It's a reminder that exceptional food doesn't always require a special occasion.
Experience the Miko Calo Menu at Kazu Café, located at the Restaurants at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. The café is open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with the Chef Miko Calo brunch menu available from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Why Kazu Café's Collab With Chef Miko Calo Is Makati's Most Exciting New Brunch Menu

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