Automat in Makati: Reinterpreting Filipino Cuisine
Automat, located at Karrivin Plaza in Makati, is a small, intimate restaurant that channels 70s and 80s neighborhood energy into a bold, modern Filipino dining experience.
With shared tables, loud music, spunky staff, and flowing booze—including lambanog—Automat feels more like a spirited gathering than a conventional restaurant. It’s energetic, unapologetic, and built around the idea that Filipino food can be both nostalgic and boundary-pushing.fili
IMAGE from Automat
Opened in 2024 by Metiz chefs Stephan Duhesme and Arlo Gregorio, Automat set out with a clear intention: to understand and reinterpret Manila cuisine within the city itself.
Chef Stephan Duhesme’s experience spans kitchens in Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Manila, shaping his philosophy of refined simplicity—honest dishes that feel deeply familiar yet entirely new.
Chef Stephan Duhesme/IMAGE from Automat
Chef Arlo Gregorio, trained in Nordic and Japanese techniques, brings precision and research-driven creativity as Automat’s Head Chef.
Chef Arlo Gregorio/IMAGE from Automat
One year into its journey, that vision earned international recognition, with the restaurant being named one of the MICHELIN Selected establishments in the first-ever Philippines edition of the Michelin Guide. The acknowledgment marks a proud milestone for the team, affirming the hard work and creativity poured into every service—and signaling their commitment to push even further.
IMAGE from Automat
The menu reflects Manila’s vibrancy—familiar yet surprising, comforting yet inventive. The Keso Keso Puti (Php 650+) sets the tone. House white cheese made from carabao milk is paired with Malabon longganisa, squash seeds, tomato salad, mustasa, and duck fat pandesal—rich, savory, and layered with texture.
IMAGE from Automat
For mains, the Beef Cheek (Php 1,500+) features S.R.F. soy-marinated beef cheeks alongside grilled bone marrow with miso-béchamel, tutong rice, and calamansi kosho. The dish balances indulgence with brightness, combining deep umami and citrus heat in every bite.
IMAGE from Automat
Dessert continues the reinterpretation of Filipino comfort. The Caramelized Pandesal (Php 400+), served with keso ice cream and Malagos dark chocolate, transforms a humble staple into a refined sweet-salty finish.
IMAGE from Automat
At Automat in Karrivin Plaza, Filipino cuisine is explored through a distinctly urban lens—loud, layered, and meant to be shared.
