Regina Troy Barrios

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CIBO

<p>When <a href="https://cibo.ph/about/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Margarita Forés opened CIBO in 1997</a>, she gave us more than a restaurant. She gave us a glimpse into her Italy—fresh, modern, and full of heart. CIBO was the realization of her dream to bring honest, timeless Italian cooking to the everyday Filipino table. And it worked. Twenty-eight years later, it still does.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754490752192CIBO GLORIETTA - OLD PHOTO2.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Where it all began—Margarita Forés, cooking in the kitchen of the first CIBO in Glorietta | Photo: EAT Public Relations</span></span></span></div><p>It makes you wonder—what is it that keeps us coming back to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ciboph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>CIBO</strong></a>? Perhaps it’s the quiet comfort of consistency. The warm tones of red-orange in the background, the silver metal tables and chairs,, the simplicity of the menu, the way everything feels familiar but never tired. It’s warm, modern Italian—but more than that, it feels like home.</p><p>CIBO has never chased trends. For 28 years, it’s served a core menu of Italian classics—steady, familiar, and still deeply satisfying. This anniversary marks a moment to look back, and also, to look ahead.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754491007172CHEF JORGE MENDEZ, _NDUJA PASTA, AND _NDUJA PIZZA.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Jorge Mendez carries the flame, adding boldness to beloved flavors | Photo: CIBO</span></span></span></div><h2><strong>Jorge Mendez steps forward</strong></h2><p>The kitchen is now under the helm of Chef Jorge Mendez, who trained under Margarita Forés and worked across her restaurants and concepts. For the past two years, he has served as Executive Chef of CIBO and also leads the brand’s Research &amp; Development, even as he charts his own path through his acclaimed restaurants, Mōdan and Some Thai. Forés was his mentor, and over the years he absorbed not only her approach to Italian cuisine, but also her instinct for flavor, seasonality, and soul. That creative connection between mentor and protégé is visible in this year’s <strong>limited-edition anniversary menu—available until September 30</strong>—with dishes that honor her vision while showcasing Jorge’s growing voice at the helm.</p><p>The two dishes are anchored in ‘nduja, the spicy, spreadable pork sausage from Southern Italy. There’s the <strong>Tubettoni alla ‘Nduja</strong>, rich and creamy with stewed tomatoes, tomato tsukemono, and a generous crown of burrata. And the <strong>‘Nduja Pizza</strong>, a lively mix of heat and indulgence, finished once again with that signature burrata. These aren’t just playful riffs on Italian staples—they’re confident, carefully balanced, and full of character. A reminder that CIBO, while rooted in tradition, still has room to surprise.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754491504155NDUJA PASTA AND PIZZA.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Nduja-laced pizza and pasta, finished with a flourish | Photo: CIBO</span></span></span></div><h2><strong>Sweet notes and small diners</strong>    </h2><p>To round out the celebration, CIBO has also introduced two limited-edition pastries that playfully reimagine familiar Filipino flavors. There’s the <strong>Turon Bomboloni</strong>, filled with banana cream custard and topped with caramelized banana, and the <strong>Ube Maritozzo</strong>, made extra decadent with ube custard, cream, and caramelized coconut. Available individually or in an assorted box of six (three seasonal, three signature pastries), they’re a sweet nod to CIBO’s spirit of creativity.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754491567316ASSORTED CIBO SEASONAL PASTRIES BOX OF 6.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Turon Bomboloni and Ube Maritozzo—Filipino flavors, Italian flair. | Photo: CIBO</span></span></span></div><p>This sense of nostalgia and renewal continues with the relaunch of the <strong>Bimbi program</strong>, now available in all CIBO stores. Originally introduced at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, the program is designed for younger diners, complete with interactive placemats, crayons, and the cheerful presence of the<strong> CIBOts</strong>—animated characters inspired by spinach, squash, and tomato. It’s a playful invitation for children to explore Italian flavors while embracing vegetables in a fun, approachable way.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754491608415BIMBI POSTER 1.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">CIBO’s Bimbi program makes Italian dining fun for little diners | Photo: CIBO</span></span></span></div><p>From the anniversary menu to the return of Bimbi, everything feels intentional: a celebration of where CIBO has been, and of the community that continues to grow with it.</p><p>CIBO’s story has always been one of connection—between cook and guest, between flavor and memory. That journey comes full circle with the launch of the new <strong>LEALTÀ loyalty program</strong>, a way to thank longtime patrons while welcoming a new generation of diners into the fold. Available starting August 5, LEALTÀ rewards diners with playful perks—from discounts that change with the day of the week, to birthday tiramisù, to insider access to events and offers shared only with members. It&#x27;s a thoughtful gesture of appreciation for those who’ve made CIBO a regular part of their lives, and those just beginning.</p><div><br/></div><h2><strong>A table set for all</strong></h2><p>And because no birthday is complete without surprises, CIBO is celebrating with a series of nationwide anniversary promos. From now until September 30, every ₱2,800 single-receipt dine-in purchase earns a raffle entry for the Always CIBO Raffle, with prizes like a brand-new Vespa, a Smeg fridge, and a year’s worth of CIBO meals.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754491717295TUBETTONI ALLA NDUJA 2.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Grazie, CIBO | Photo: CIBO</span></span></span></div><p>There’s also the thrill of scoring a signature dish for just ₱28—a head-turning deal in 2025. On August 22, diners who spend at least ₱1,500 can choose one CIBO favorite from a curated lineup that includes indulgent bestsellers like the Pizza Prosciutto Crudo, Spinach Dip, Tiramisu, or even the fork-tender Tagliata di Manzo. It’s a flash of generosity that brings CIBO’s most-loved dishes within delicious reach—and just one of several ways the restaurant is celebrating. Throughout August and September, guests can also sip on ₱28 iced teas, enjoy 28% off delivery orders, or enter a raffle for prizes like a Vespa or a year’s worth of CIBO.</p><p>More than just a celebration of a restaurant&#x27;s longevity, this anniversary feels like a thank you—to every diner who&#x27;s ever walked through CIBO&#x27;s doors, to every child who&#x27;s colored in a placemat, to every regular who orders their usual without needing a menu. Twenty-eight years on, the tables remain set, the food honest, the welcome warm. CIBO has evolved, yet it somehow still remains where you want to be. Grazie, CIBO.</p>

<p>At 28, CIBO stays true to its signature comfort and Italian soul, but introduces a bold new edge through adventurous flavors, a next-generation chef, and a fresh creative direction.</p>

At 28, CIBO stays true to its signature comfort and Italian soul, but introduces a bold new edge through adventurous flavors, a next-generation chef, and a fresh creative direction.

CIBO At 28: Still The Comfort You Love, Now With A Bold New Edge

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CIBO At 28: Still The Comfort You Love, Now With A Bold New Edge

Troy Barrios

Published Aug 06, 2025 11:04 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 07, 2025 01:37 AM PHT

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