Kenneth Cobonpue unveils his latest visionary venue—and it’s a foray into art, appetite, and the arcane
I’ll admit: I’m more than a bit of a fangirl, by nature. I like what I like, and when I like something or someone, there will be signs (there’s no shame in open admiration, yeah?). So when you put me in the same space as multi-awarded industrial designer and manufacturer, KENNETH COBONPUE, there will be gushing. I mean, global fame aside, I’ve always admired his captivating creations that scream style and sustainability. Known for blending natural materials like rattan, bamboo, abaca, and various metals, his work is the perfect mix of ethereal elegance and inspired innovation.
One look at his pieces and it’s easy to see why Cobonpue has achieved legendary stature in his field; from winning prestigious awards like the Maison et Objet Asian Designer of the Year in 2014, to having his designs grace films and the homes of A-List celebrities and royalty, his is a worldwide name. He didn’t just fall into this—he’s got serious street cred, graduating from Pratt in NYC and then taking the reins of his mom’s furniture business before launching his own brand in 1998.
But if you really, truly want to go down the rabbit hole of Cobonpue’s Promethean psyche, then a visit to his newly opened creative spaces at the ground floor of the Grand Hyatt Manila Residences in Bonifacio Global City is A MUST. The destination showcases three worlds of experience under one rollicking roof: Fable Cafe + Lounge, KENNETHCOBONPUE Showroom, and CLOUDGREY Gallery (in partnership with contemporary artist Ronald Ventura, yet another noteworthy industry name).
The official opening of this whimsical wonderland blew my mind. I honestly did not know where to look; my eyes feasted on everything, everywhere, all at once in this moody, magical, multisensory mecca!
Culinary creativity swathed in enchantment
In a nutshell, Fable Café + Lounge is luscious in every way; a crisp-shelled whimsy overload of a restaurant with a chewy vibe-filled center! Channeling childhood memories of the fairytales and fables his mom used to read to him, Cobonpue unleashes a far more fanciful facet of his creativity. And, dare I say, a deeper, darker, more mysterious manner of creative expression that SO speaks to my angsty Goth Girl heart.
“I’ve always been inspired by my mother. She used to read me bedtime stories as a child. And back then, there was no internet, so I had to imagine all the pictures, fairytales, and faraway lands she was describing,” Kenneth said at the launch. “That’s why it’s called Fable. Everything here is from my childhood,” he added.
Before you feast on the food, you first feast on the chimerical design of the café, as you enter into its enchantment. Wire drop lamps teeming with all manner of gossamer-like creatures and creations (hand sculpted from mesh screen so fine, it’s almost diaphanous) catch the light and immediately command your attention. Huge fabric leaves nimbly creep up the walls, flanked by oversized fabric flowers in deliciously deep crimson tones. Overhead, a massive Pegasus sculpture by Ventura gallops in graceful flight, suspended from the ceiling. A rattan-and-metal carabao cart doubles as a DJ booth, by the entryway. The atmosphere is magical and otherworldly. It is “curiouser and curiouser,” as Alice might have said, had she been in attendance at the launch.
When it comes to the gastronomic side of things, Cobonpue candidly admits that he’s no expert—as such, he’s partnered with a skilled team of chefs to bring his culinary vision to life. The food is as imaginative and sumptuous as the space, with standout dishes like Miso Marinated Sea Bass, Shrimp Dumplings with XO Ponzu Sauce (succulent, flavor-packed, and my personal fave!), Steak and Eggs, Black Truffle Tortellini, and Cornflake Fried Chicken & Waffles, as well as a roster of coffees, teas, and healthy juices. As night falls, the café transforms into a delightful dining haven. The menu spans everything from bar chow to indulgent dinner plates, and the drinks are equally inventive. Signature cocktails like The Wandering Whelk (Peppermint Vodka, Salted Caramel, and Coconut), The Stout Traveler (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Amaro Blend, Citrus, Vanilla), and The Nest Keeper (Mezcal, Passionfruit, Falernum, and Lime) are crafted with the same meticulous creativity as the dishes.
Overall, Cobonpue’s first café in Manila is a riveting repertoire of dazzling design, fanciful flavors, and all-around atmospheric amazement.
Peer into Cobonpue’s craft and creative genius
Without a doubt, the new KENNETHCOBONPUE Showroom provides a gratifying glimpse into the mind of a true design genius. It’s not just a space filled with furniture—it’s a sanctum that celebrates imagination, nature, and the beauty of craftsmanship, alongside the steady sublimity of Cobonpue’s classic collections. Known worldwide for his boundary-pushing yet earthbound, organic designs, Cobonpue’s creations go beyond mere function; they tell stories, evoke emotions, and spark wonder.
Here, across two floors, mixed materials and metals morph into forms richly imbued with Cobonpue’s visionary touch and avant-garde creativity, inviting you to embark on a visual and tactile journey. You’ll find yourself yearning to feel the textures and to make yourself comfortable in the warmth of the space. Swirly, earthy curves define the fabulous furniture, blurring the boundaries between design and nature. Colors and patterns play off each other in a dynamic dance; a rhythm that mirrors the natural world yet flies off into the fantastical. Every piece on display is thoughtfully curated to complement the other, with shapes that flow seamlessly from one to the next, giving the showroom an irresistible aesthetic appeal. Glowing cat lamps (be still, my purring heart!) and an array of eye-catching light fixtures draw you in with their soft radiance, adding more than a touch of playful energy.
Speaking of lighting installations, please, make your way to the VIP Room to check out the stunning chandelier with red-cloaked monks processing across its iron arms and arches. A true testament to Cobonpue’s ingenuity, this dramatic fixture is a mysterious masterpiece unto itself, one that evokes both intrigue and reverence. Pick up your jaw from off the floor, on your way out.
Art that shakes up your reality at CLOUDGREY Gallery
Ready to break the rules? CLOUDGREY Gallery is your front-row seat to art that’ll leave you thinking, “What just happened?!?” It’s a place where art doesn’t just hang on the walls: it challenges, provokes, and invites you to see the world through an entirely new lens. With its bold exhibitions and boundary-pushing works, the gallery turns every visit into an immersive journey through the unknown.
With artists like Ronald Ventura at the helm of curating the collections and exhibitions, this place isn’t just about viewing art—it’s about experiencing it, getting lost in its narrative, and questioning everything. The works on display push the boundaries of form and content, inviting you to confront your own perceptions of reality. Whether it’s through surrealist imagery, dark art, or provocative conceptual forms, each piece is a conversation starter, for sure. With its out-of-the-box perspectives, CLOUDGREY’s exhibitions are a cultural dialogue that breaks free from society’s oft-conformist box.
As the gallery continues to evolve, it aims to become a platform for both emerging and established artists, defying the limits of creative expression and expanding the boundaries of contemporary art. Whether you’re an art connoisseur or a casual observer, CLOUDGREY Gallery draws you into the limitless possibilities of art that totally shakes up the senses—in the best possible way.
Three incredible spaces, one intense experience
Together, these three spaces meld art, appetite, and the arcane into one entirely unique experience you won’t soon forget. Whether you’re indulging in the magical atmosphere at Fable, losing yourself in the inventiveness at Cobonpue’s showroom, or surrendering to the mind-bending at CLOUDGREY Gallery, each location offers something utterly unforgettable.
“So, is this all from the mind of the Kenneth Cobonpue?,” I asked, grabbing the chance to chat, before the festivities commenced, and genuinely curious about how all this came to life. “I don’t know about the Kenneth Cobonpue, but yes—it’s all from my mind,” he answered with a sunny, sincere smile that summed the whole story.
I suppose I really should tone down the fangirling, a tad. Perhaps some other time, with some other person. After all, when you’re in the presence of a designer whose work is, well, FABLED, it’s hard not to be completely captivated.
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