The metro sky was a soft, endless gray, the kind that makes everything feel slower, quieter. In BGC, the air still carried the scent of rain — that unmistakable mix of earth and asphalt left behind after a storm. Super Typhoon Uwan had already spent its fury over the weekend, and what remained was a sort of calm or hush, as if the city itself was taking a breath.
Our niece, her husband, and their adorable two-year-old, Savannah, were in town for a short visit — a quick escape before life in Texas call them back. Monday was the only evening left for dinner, a small pocket of time carved out amidst travel plans and toddler naps.
It wasn’t a grand occasion, just a family meal — but somehow, these are the moments that one remembers. The kind where laughter fills the room, stories overlap, and time briefly decelerates before it speeds up again scattering everyone to their corners of the world.
Cochi by Marvin ( #5✅ , 103 to go)
What made choosing a dinner spot easier this time was the recently concluded Michelin Philippines Awards. Aside from the thrill of seeing our country finally land on the Michelin map, it now feels like our dining scene has stepped onto the global stage.
With 108 Michelin-recognized restaurants across Metro Manila, its environs, and Cebu, deciding where to eat has never been simpler — or more rewarding. A no-brainer, really.
Last night, we chose Cochi by Marvin, a Bib Gourmand awardee, for our family dinner. One of just 25 restaurants to receive this honor, my husband and I were genuinely excited to finally experience it for ourselves.
Our choices were guided by a few things — the restaurant had to be in BGC for convenience, serve Filipino cuisine, and, of course, be Michelin-recognized, in keeping with our Project Michelin Philippines journey.
Our niece’s husband, who’s American-Mexican, was especially eager to explore the Filipino palate — to taste the flavors and textures that make our cuisine so unique.
What is a Michelin Bib Gourmand?
“The Bib Gourmand logo is a symbol from the MICHELIN Guide featuring the Michelin Man (Bibendum) licking his lips, which signifies restaurants offering high-quality, three-course meals at a reasonable price. It was introduced in 1997 to help diners find good value, with price limits varying by country, and the symbol is a recognized marker for quality food that is accessible and enjoyable”
Unlike the prestigious Michelin stars — which highlight excellence, creativity, and technical mastery — the Bib Gourmand celebrates value for money. It’s for those places that serve delicious, well-crafted dishes without the hefty fine-dining price tag.
Think of it as Michelin’s way of saying:
“This restaurant may not be fancy, but it’s genuinely worth your time — and your appetite.”
In many food-loving cities around the world, Bib Gourmand restaurants are often the locals’ favorites — the kind of spots where comfort, authenticity, and flavor come first.
Starters
We began with a trio of starters: the playful Chizmozas (₱508), light and crispy with just the right hint of spice. Think tuna ceviche and crispy pork jowls in one bite. I can actually devour one order by myself. What a way to kick off the evening
Calamari (₱408), golden and tender; was a bit underwhelming after that opening salvo by Chizmozas
the indulgent Baked Oysters though (₱428) were succulent and buttery, with that briny sweetness only fresh oysters can bring.
Mains
Then came the mains — a hearty lineup of Filipino comfort food elevated with thoughtful presentation and flavor.
The Kare-Kare ni Lola (₱788) was nostalgia in a pot: oxtail simmered to tenderness, served with a velvety peanut sauce that reminded us of weekends and chaotic family gatherings.
The Angus Beef Pinoy Salpicao (₱688) delivered bold, saccharine , garlicky bites of thin, tender beef — not the usual chunky savory cubes, but delicate slivers that gave the dish a lighter, more nuanced feel.
While the Classic Chicken BBQ (₱368) delivered smoky sweetness with every forkful, the Fried Chicken (₱608) was a crowd-pleaser — crisp, juicy, and familiar
But the standout for us was the Nilatik na Crispy Hito (₱688).
The catfish, deep-fried to perfection, came bathed in a coconut cream-infused crab paste and kangkong, garnished with latik for that extra layer of richness and texture. It was inventive, familiar, and that kind of dish you cant wait to replicate in your kitchen
We also shared the Corned Beef Sinigang (₱1,008) — a revelation in itself. The homemade corned beef paired beautifully with the sour sinigang broth, roasted bone marrow, and grilled vegetables, giving the classic dish a deep, smoky twist.
By the end of the evening, the night felt complete when Chef Marvin Agustin himself joined us. My inner foodie was overjoyed to have a photo taken with him — a special moment for our passion project. It was a joy chatting with the former actor turned restaurateur, whose humble beginnings and journey from working at 14 to leading a Michelin-recognized kitchen are truly inspiring.
We deliberately didn’t order the house specialty, cochinillo .Perhaps we wanted to leave room for another visit and to return and focus solely on savoring that iconic dish. Since it felt like everyone comes here for the cochinillo, we chose to veer away from the usual path and explored other items on the menu instead — and in doing so, discovered a whole new range of flavors that made the evening just as memorable.
As we left Cochi by Marvin, the gray skies outside didn’t dampen the warmth we felt inside. Surrounded by family, laughter, and dishes that celebrate Filipino flavors with care and creativity, the night felt like more than just a meal. From our two year old grand niece Savy’s rare & precious smile to the rich tastes of familiar classics reimagined, and the pride of seeing our cuisine recognized on the Michelin map, it was a celebration of family, culture, and the simple joy of sharing what we love with the people we cherish most. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences are the ones that feed both heart and soul — and this dinner was exactly that.
Pigoutmanila 