The way to man’s heart may be through his stomach.
But if it’s a woman you want to woo, a grander gesture, like opening and dedicating an entire restaurant to her, will do.
That’s what celebrity British chef Jason Atherton is doing in July, as the Michelin-starred chef opens The Pig & Palm in Cebu City where his wife, Irha, originated.
The 57-cover restaurant, which will also have a separate cocktail bar area, is the 16th restaurant worldwide for the Athertons’ critically acclaimed restaurant group, The Social Company, which holds three Michelin stars and spans London, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai and Sydney.
“It has always been Irha’s dream to bring some of the success of The Social Company back to her hometown of Cebu. It gives me great joy to open a Social destination here as my love letter to her,” said Atherton.
Atherton’s business partners are Cebu-based property developers Chris and Carla McKowen and architect Lyndon Neri. The Pig & Palm will serve modern Spanish tapas in an informal, contemporary environment. Ingredients will be sourced from local farms, notes Cebu Pacific Air’s Smile magazine in its June 2016 edition.
It was designed by Shangai-based studio Neri & Hu and takes cues from Cebu’s Spanish colonial past, drawing inspiration from nearby historic monument, Fort San Pedro.
In the main dining area, patterned grey bricks flow from the outside area to within, with hanging greenery and lanterns transforming it into a lush al fresco dining space.
The bar takes inspiration from Cebu’s heavily Roman Catholic population, with stained glass infills and wood-panelled alcoves reminiscent of confessional booths.
Continuing through to the tapas bar, timber structures evoke the crafted carpentry of traditional furniture making.
As suggested by the restaurant’s name, dishes will celebrate Cebu’s reputation as a destination for pork, with a focus on pig-based plates.
Dishes on the menu will include the 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.
In addition, a brunch menu will be served from 8:30am to 3pm, with a range of inventive egg-based dishes.
The Pig & Palm is at MSY Tower at Cebu Business Park.
