Comfort food just a got an upgrade at Come Forth Kitchen
It’s like sharing a part of our home to them.
That’s exactly what prompted foodie friends, Rondelle and Tricia de Leon, Claudine de Leon, and Theresa Leung, to open Come Forth Kitchen in Jupiter Street, Makati last March.
“Come Forth Kitchen” is a play on the word “comfort,” which is the basis of all menu items at this quaint joint in an otherwise busy metropolitan street. At the same time, it’s an invitation for people to come forth and enjoy their food.
The group got a lot of help from chefs Gigi Almeda and Kat Pascual during the research and development phase for the restaurant, which took roughly six months.

The warm and inviting restaurant — with its minimalistic furniture accentuated by knick-knacks from the owners’ homes and travels — features the group’s unique take on comfort food: shamelessly good, unapologetically delicious, and guilt-free (well, most of the time).
“We always make sure our vegetarian customers will have delicious options here,” Chef Gigi told Expat. “We want them to enjoy great food that’s also good for you.”
Whether you’re an adventurous foodie, a conservative gourmand, or simply in need of good ‘ol comfort food, there’s something at Come Forth Kitchen for you. Starting with the most unique — and best-selling — item on their menu: Pulpog.

Inviting comfort twists
There’s nothing like family to make you try new things! That’s exactly what restaurateurs Claudine, Tricia and their family discovered many years ago when they had a family trip to Ilocos and tried a local delicacy called Pulpog, the prodigal son of sisig (but with a sour kick).
So when the group opened Come Forth Kitchen, they made sure they have Pulpog in their menu with the help of chefs Kat and Gigi.

The tender pork is rendered with smoky flavors with just the right hint of pepper and acidity. The sliced red onions on top add a crisp texture and a kick to the savory dish. It is definitely something new to try.
Comfort food staple French toast also got an upgrade with their French Toast with Muscovado Cream Cheese and Guava Syrup.
Chefs Kat and Gigi also took the humble burger to the next level by smoking their own bacon, baking their own brioche buns, and making their own patties. So, Come Forth Kitchen’s Bacon Burger was born. Imagine a thick and juicy all-beef patty topped with crisp lettuce, tangy tomatoes, and home-smoked bacon — all in between a soft and fluffy brioche bun. It is the epitome of comfort food.

“We simply thought of our favorite comfort food dishes,” Chef Kat, the cousin of the de Leons, said. “This is the kind of food we grew up with: honest, straightforward, and tasty. Nothing more, nothing less. We just want to pay tribute to the great food that we enjoyed when we were growing up and we want to share it with more people.”

Chef Kat is a gifted pastry chef, as proven by her very own Dulce de Leche Chocolate Cake: homemade dulce de leche (caramel) sandwiched between three layers of decadently moist chocolate cake, an heirloom recipe from their family.
Their Alfajores — shortbread cookies with dulce de leche filling — is also the perfect merienda (afternoon snacks) companion to a good cup of joe.

It’s no wonder why the public gave Come Forth Kitchen such a warm welcome into the already cramped Makati foodie scene. After all, it’s not everyday you get to step into a restaurant that makes you feel like home.
Come Forth Kitchen is located at 120 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air Village, Makati. They are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 802-4064.
 
By CHING DEE