Now back in Manila from a month-long vacation in Europe, Thea de Rivera, one half of the duo behind the Izakaya-inspired 12/10 in Makati’s indie enclave Guijo St., is jumping right back into her regular routine.
In a recent interview with Coconuts Manila she shared that this involves managing her restaurant’s front-of-house at night and heading indoor cycling classes as an instructor at Electric Studio.
“It varies from day to day as I squeeze in meetings every now and then, but typically, my days are usually jam-packed,” she said.
Still, she said she makes it a point to squeeze in a good meal with her boyfriend Gab Bustos, the chef behind 12/10’s culinary (and visual) treats. “Dates are essential,” she said, laughing.
Balance seems to be a top priority for de Rivera, who unabashedly said that although she’s a fitness instructor, she does not follow strict diets and loves to eat and drink.
“The reason behind me working out in the mornings is so I can eat and drink anything I want,” she confessed.
de Rivera noted, however, that the best way to jumpstart a healthy lifestyle is to cut out preservatives from your diet. “I recommend for people to try cooking at home without any preserved and processed food … You’d be surprised by how satisfying it feels to be able to eat something that you made!”
“I should start sharing recipes one day, huh,” she quipped.
While her busy schedule doesn’t allow her to explore much beyond the neighborhoods where she lives and works, there are several places around the metro she routinely finds herself in.
Below, she shares some of them, including her usual stomping grounds, favorite eats, and shopping go-tos.
– NEIGHBORHOOD –
“BGC (Bonifacio Global City) is still the perfect place to discover new things and new eats. What I love about it too is how pet-friendly the city is! Just take a walk down greenway park at around 8am or 5pm and you’ll go crazy seeing all the beautiful dogs of BGC!”
– EAT –
“I’m a sucker for authentic cooking. Top of mind, my favorites are Kazunori’s Karai Niku Soba, Artesania’s wild mushroom soup and beet salad, and Mantra Bistro’s Chicken Makhani paired with their garlic naan.”
Kazunori Japanese Restaurant / Kazu Cafe, 2301 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, G/F Mazda Makati Building, Makati City
Artesania, 910 Arnaiz Ave., Makati City
Mantra Bistro, Grand Midori G-7, Bolanos, Legaspi Village, Makati City
– DRINK –
“12/10 of course! Cocktail: Harambe — rye, cognac, lemon juice, grapefruit, suze, golden falernum, aperol, cardamom bitters.”
“I’m a coffee person so I’ll add in here my favorite coffee shops too: Magnum Opus in BF, Parañaque and And Then Coffee Co. in Makati City.”
12/10, 7635 Guijo Street, San Antonio Village Makati City
Magnum Opus, 115 Aguirre Avenue BF Homes Parañaque City
And Then Coffee Co, 7749 St. Paul Street, San Antonio Village Makati City
– SHOP –
“At the moment, I’m all about dressing up our home. I constantly find myself in SM department stores and Landmark for cheap yet good quality home stuff and furniture!
I also find myself often in Unimart, Santis, and Bacchus for ingredients for when I cook at home.”
– TRY –
“Definitely try a spin class at Electric Studio, if you haven’t yet, to see what the endorphin high is really about.
Feel free to also jog around BGC’s greenway park and make friends with dog-owners and their beautiful dogs!
I haven’t been going out as much but I do find comfort in slowing my day down to read a book with a glass of wine or looking up a recipe online and/or from books and trying them out at home.”
Electric Studio
- 2F 8 Forbes Town Road, Fort BGC, Taguig
- G/F Two Central 107 Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati
- 4F The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center Mandaluyong City
