Makati eats: Former Thai hotpot gets rebrand from Ely Buendia, fellow musicians

Sari Kitchen, formerly Thai Mookata, is located along Washington Street in Makati. Handout

A former Thai hotpot in Makati is slowly becoming a go-to dining spot and watering hole for creatives, thanks to Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia and fellow musicians Pat Sarabia and Audry Dionisio. 

The three executives of the independent record label Offshore Music took over what used to be Thai Mookata along Washington Street and turned it into Sari Kitchen, a neighborhood hangout that offers comfort meals and after-work drinks at affordable prices.

Its menu has been updated to lean toward Asian-style fusion eats and bar chow, with items like cheese sticks, salted egg chicken wings, and Buendia’s favorite tortang talong with sisig. There’s even a karaoke setup inside the restaurant — during the grand launch, the Filipino music icon gamely sang “Norwegian Wood,” serving as a prelude to the show later that evening.

(From left) Sari Kitchen owners Pat Sarabia, Audry Dionisio, and Ely Buendia. Handout“We wanted to keep the place homey, where artists and creatives can feel comfortable, and where people can eat and catch up for drinks. That was our vision,” said Sarabia. 

“We’ve redesigned the bar, we’ve changed the furniture, and we’ve added some mood lights because it used to be so bright in here,” added Dionisio. “Now, it feels like you’re in your grandparents’ kitchen or living room.”

Buendia, for his part, said: “It was also a matter of subtracting stuff that do not sell very much, so we took those things out. What did we want people to feel when they eat here? Doon na pumapasok ‘yung concept of a community and comfort food.”

Cheese sticks (left) and salted egg wings. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 

There’s nothing fancy about the dishes at Sari Kitchen and it’s obviously intentional, given the vision of its three owners. 

Some of the Thai elements remain in the menu, from pad Thai and the mildly spicy pork kra pao to the only dessert which is mango sticky rice. Most offerings sit in the P250-P350 range and are good for one to two persons, depending on your appetite.

Pad thai (left) and mango sticky rice. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 

Dionisio is particularly proud of Sari Kitchen’s adobo fried rice (“people order that and hindi na sila nag-oorder ng ulam kasi parang ulam na rin siya”) and sinigang with bagoong (“you’re tasting all of the flavors, sabay-sabay”), which are both prepared by a chef they retained from the previous management. 

She also acknowledged their seeming love for eggplant: “Aside from tortang talong with sisig, we also have ensaladang talong… Halata na favorite namin ‘yung talong dito.”

Adobo rice (left) and sinigang with bagoong. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 

To the long-time patrons who are wondering, the musician trio kept the secret bar inside the restaurant. Hidden behind a Coca-Cola fridge, Sari-Sari Bar now serves as a venue for jazz musicians, independent artists, bigger acts like Kamikazee and Silent Sanctuary — and even Buendia himself. 

Tapping into their strengths, they also improved the acoustics and the sound system, as well as the overall vibe. 

“Mas cool na siya ngayon,” Dionisio said in jest. “We even have Beatles nights here sometimes. Every week, it’s something different.” 

“We want it to be a place where creatives, artists, theater people, and whoever from whatever walks of life can come here and just really be themselves and feel welcome. They can make this their watering hole and tambayan, and meet fellow creatives,” she added. 

Sari-Sari Bar is hidden behind a Coca-Cola fridge. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 

When asked how they get to apply their experience in the music industry to the food and beverage business, Sarabia replied: “As a musician, you have to be resourceful and very creative. You have to think on your toes. So those are the same sort of qualities that we bring here, since we believe it’s unpredictable din every day.” 

“We’re not easily fazed,” Dionisio pointed out. “Medyo matapang kami pagdating sa business. Because in the music scene, it’s a struggle to get to play and even promote your music. So we’re all thick-faced that way and we’re like brave souls.”