Nine years after opening its first café in Tokyo, Café Kitsuné, a modernist reinterpretation of the classic Parisian café and wine bar, opened in Manila Friday.

Located on the ground floor of Podium Mall in Ortigas Center, this first Philippine outlet boasts a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere where one can enjoy an array of pastries, tropical fizzy drinks, light snacks (the pork katsu sando stands out), and comforting meals such as a chicken confit (P520), seared salmon (P630). They even make a good French onion soup (P360).

But the highlight of any visit to Café Kitsuné is their high-quality coffee, and we say the selections in the slim menu are worth making the trip to ADB Avenue for. We recommend the Cappuccino (P199) and the Coconut and Caramel Latte (P240) for their rich, distinct flavors. Known for being full-bodied and flavorsome, Café Kitsuné’s brews are from single-origin coffee beans grown in Brazil and Guatemala.

The brand Kitsuné (fox in Japanese, one with paranormal powers in Japanese folklore) was created in 2002 by Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki. It offered a unique, inspirational Art de Vivre (the French art of living) blending of a fashion brand (Maison Kitsuné), music label (Kitsuné Musique) and cafés, roasteries, bars and restaurants (Café Kitsuné). Over the last two decades, the multi-faceted Paris-meets-Tokyo brand has consistently grown and increased its international influence.

Maison Kitsuné, the independent Paris fashion house, draws inspiration from the thread between Paris and Tokyo, offering a wardrobe that blends sharp tailoring, distinct streetwear influences, playfulness and wearable, comfort-focused designs. Since inception, it has grown its network of directly owned and operated stores to 38 locations across the world including Paris, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Los Angeles and Vancouver.

On the music part, Kitsuné Musique’s philosophy has always been about singling out the up-and-coming talents about to break through in music. Over the years, the label has become the first home of artists such as Parcels, Two Door Cinema Club, Digitalism and more, making the Kitsuné sound an incredibly diverse one.

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Finally, Café Kitsune pays tribute to the pleasure of enjoying quality coffee in the most fashionable locations. Created in 2013 when it opened its inaugural shop in Tokyo, in the Aoyama neighborhood, it has grown to a network of 20 cafés across the world including ones in Seoul, New York City, Beijing and Vancouver. It has also overtime achieved cult status amongst specialty coffee lovers.