10 Tita-Approved Restaurants in Rockwell, Makati

(SPOT.ph) It is easy to spot them. In fact, you can hear their excited squeals as they greet each other before sitting down to navigate the business of lunch, merienda, or “early night, please!” cocktails. Yes, the titas. No longer is it cringe to be called one ever since The Jennifers showed us that there is life (and sex appeal) way past our forties. Being a tita now is a badge of honor—a sign that we have lived and we will no longer settle for anything subpar. We want nice-smelling bathrooms and comfortable backrests on our chairs, and we are not going to apologize for that. Comfort is truly key, since we do not swathe ourselves in Katinko for no reason. 

Since titas have very specific requirements, we definitely have our preferred gathering spots, places where we are happy and feel understood. Rockwell might just be the Tita Capital of Metro Manila with its intimate residential neighborhood, their mall that is neither too big (those kitten heels are not meant for long distances) nor too cramped (titas need good ventilation), and eateries that cater to their taste, and yes, equipped with an abundance of clean bathrooms. These cafés and restaurants are good enough for discerning titas, and therefore good enough for everyone.

Also read: 
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Tita-approved restaurants in Rockwell:

Milky Way Café

When bites of Sky Flakes will simply not do to tide you over from lunch to dinner, a merienda of dinuguan at puto, halo-halo, or lumpia in all its incarnations at this institution is the ultimate treat. The Rockwell branch is a mere fraction (in terms of size and ambiance) of its Arnaiz Avenue flagship, but it will do when the craving hits hard. 

Milky Way Café is at P1, Power Plant Mall.

Titania Wine Cellar

I mean, come on… the name is asking for it! The diminutive wine shop has become the go-to for a casual tambay where both titos and titas can have their “one glass a day.” The menu is quite limited and is composed of mostly small bites to go with the wine, but the “perfectly aged” clientele does not seem to mind as I rarely see this place empty.

Titania Wine Cellar is at P1, Power Plant Mall.

PAUL

When the patisserie opened with the new wing, it quickly became a favorite of the ladies-who-lunch crowd for its bistro fare, decent coffee, and delicious laminated breads and pastries. They have live music playing right outside, too, and we do love us a good violinist that can play all the James Ingram classics. 

PAUL is at R1, Power Plant Mall.

Nono’s

The menu here has all the familiar cafe staples, not to mention cakes and pies that dessert-loving aunties cannot resist. This is also a favorite hangout spot for those waiting to pick up their kids (or grandkids) from ballet class or jiujitsu training, since it has one of the best views of the musicians that perform there regularly in the afternoon (don’t deny it, tita, I saw you shimmy-ing to the saxophone version of “Dancing Queen” when I walked past on the way to Mercury Drug).  

Nono's is at P1, Power Plant Mall.

Wildflour

Titas put a premium on reliability, and when it comes to brunch, this multi-branch establishment is known to deliver. Their Rockwell outpost was actually where they originally had their retro nights but it became so popular it disrupted the sleep of, well, other titas, and it had to be shut down. Still, their lovely 8 Rockwell venue is a favorite for their spacious dining area and sidewalk access. 

Wildflour is at G/F 8 Rockwell Center.

Bar Pintxos

Still in 8 Rockwell, this neighborhood watering hole opens for lunch onwards making it ideal for day drinking mamas who wish to start early and need their G&Ts and sangrias on a school night. Perfectly munchable pintxos and tapas (such as their classic jamon alioli, fried baby squid, and patatas bravas) make sure you are only moderately tipsy, since an OG party tita always has to be fresh and composed.

Bar Pintxos is at G/F 8 Rockwell Center. 

Via Mare

This is straight-up tita comfort fare and we will readily pick their tokwa’t baboy, chicken arroz caldo, pancit luglog, and bibingka over some furikake-topped poke bowl any day. Do not ask for keto or gluten-free here, they do not speak that language and we love them for that. 

Via Mare is at G/F Rockwell Center.

Chef Jessie

By titas, for titas. Chef Jessie Sincioco’s version of fine dining speaks to the old-school tita’s sensibilities that just want things simple, elegant, and familiar. No messing around with foams and gels, just delicious continental fare served in beautiful surroundings at The Rockwell Club.

Chef Jessie is at G/L Amorsolo Square, Amorsolo Drive.

Grace Park

We can always count on our favorite tita from Cubao to deliver extraordinary and unique dining experiences, and award-winning chef Margarita Forés’ One Rockwell restaurant does not disappoint with her personal renditions on comfort food. The charming space is perfect for a ladies get-together, just make sure to book the table on the ground floor if you cannot do stairs. 

Grace Park is at G/F One Rockwell.

Mary Grace Café

Was there even any doubt? This proudly homegrown brand is the penultimate tita playground, and they truly pulled out all the stops with their Powerplant Mall branch. My favorite spot is any of their tables at the back which look out to Plaza Drive, a nice quiet spot away from the busy main room and where they put a nice little powder room for their guests. Its a great place for bonding time with my mom, as well as alone time with their Vigan longganisa and kesong puti sandwich.

Mary Grace Café is at R2 Level Expansion, Power Plant Mall.

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