La Cocina de Tita Moning in Manila, Manila Bay, Philippines | Restaurant

La Cocina de Tita Moning began, as appropriately named, in the kitchen.
When my grandmother passed away in 1999, my aunts encouraged me to come up with a shortlist of food items she was especially known for. Being unemployed, and "searching for myself", I said "why not?"
To my own amazement, people ordered.
With the invaluable help of my grandmotherâ??s staff, La Cocina de Tita Moning delivered more food orders in that first Christmas than I ever imagined possible.
Turning the old house into a restaurant was never really an idea, but for some reason, the dinners began. Our first guests were just friends of friends. Before I knew it, the phone was ringing with inquiries and the press was knocking on our door writing wonderful things.
Being the amazing and wonderful people that they are, my family rallied around me. My Tita Uko and Tita Ching came home from Sydney and New York to clean up the house. My Mom and Dad and Tito Ramon put capital in a venture they actually believed could become something someday. My brother Billy got busy on his computer making brochures, calling cards, and designing labels for products.
The next few months and years just happened unto another. What started as one room showcasing the photographs of my family soon became eight rooms showcasing history and all sorts of things.