Dining concepts converge at Tinder Box
AMID a growing sophisticated market, four Cebu-based dining concepts have expanded and converged under one roof.
Originally home to The Tinder Box for the last 16 years, the newly-renovated white modernist structure at the corner of Gov. M. Cuenco Ave. and Bauhinia Drive in Kasambagan, Cebu City has also become the newest home to Anzani Prime, Bibendum Wines and lounge-and-bar Morals & Malice.
The four-in-one destination, which is still collectively referred to as the Tinder Box, is an addition to Cebu’s food destinations, intending to serve the astronomical demands of both the local market and expats.
The Tinder Box is owned by Chito Clavano, Sean Dino, and Marleen Monboñedo. Its collaboration with the three other dining concepts, according to the owners’ representative Raymond Aquino, has allowed the creation of a new “food mall” in the city.
The Tinder Box first started out as a smoke shop specializing in imported cigarettes and cigars in the 1980s, stationed at the Manila airpor. Later, they innovated the concept to becoming a delicatessen and restaurant in Cebu.
“Over the years, I have personally seen how the market grew and how our diners have become more sophisticated in choosing what to eat and where,” said Kate Dychangco-Anzani of Anzani Prime.
Anzani Prime, the seventh restaurant of the Anzani International Group, is located on the second floor and carries a comprehensive steak list on the menu. The Anzani brand is the brainchild of couple Kate and chef Marco Anzani, whose first restaurant opened in Nivel Hills in Cebu City in 2009.
Also occupying the second level of the building is lounge and bar Morals & Malice, a new player in the market that serves handcrafted coffee, smoothies, and cocktails.
On the ground level, Bibendum Wines offers an array of wine offerings from Italian, French, Portuguese, and American vineyards and serves diners wine from the bottle or by the glass. The Bibendum at The Tinder Box is a new addition after the success of its recently-opened store at Streetscape on Maria Luisa Road.
Tinder Box operations manager Ansley B. Mislang said Bibendum Wines will also supply the wine needs of Anzani Prime, Morals & Malice and The Tinder Box.
“The Tinder Box is a magnet and the go-to place for people who love the finer things in life,” said Aquino. The place is open from 7 a.m. to midnight and is ideal for those who want to experience different kinds of food, mostly European, under one setting.