A Modern Classic Rooted in Filipino Flavour

What started as a conversation was also the dawning of a business that would later be one of the “Best Filipino Restaurants”. With a forward-thinking mindset, the visionary Mr. Rikki U. Dee realized a simple dream – the proliferation of an emerging business that showcases the best of Filipino cuisine.

Having keenly identified the unfulfilled needs of the Filipino dining out market, Mr. Dee began with a concept that was truly ahead of its time. Inspired by the success of his other business ventures and armed with a deeper understanding of the local dining landscape, the seeds were soon quickly planted for the group’s brainchild: MESA in Greenbelt 5, Makati City which initially opened its doors to the dining public back in 2009. MESA soon became a favorite stop to enjoy both classic Filipino dishes influenced by diverse regions in the Philippines with endearing modern twists. To be truly representative of Filipino cuisine throughout the country and across the globe, MESA sought to be as inclusive as possible to pay homage to regional Filipino dishes. As a result, MESA became a melting pot so to speak of authentic Filipino dishes given a modern reinvention which inexorably led to the now-beloved Mesa signature dishes.

Due to the brand’s recognizable growth, MESA received prominent awards like the “Best Binakol in the Philippines”, the “Best Crispchon In The World” from Taste Atlas and recognized as one of the “Best Filipino Restaurants” in the Philippines for twelve (12) consecutive years by Philippine Tatler and awarded by the Department of Trade and Industry in collaboration with Philippine Retailers Association as “Best Retailer of the Year”.

The MESA threefold advantage can be summed up as innovative yet traditional cuisine, genuine Filipino hospitality, and an exceptional dining experience highlighted by native accents all within the realm of affordable luxury. Today, our food business venture operates more than 70 restaurants nationwide while setting a keen eye toward the future of further expansion across the country and abroad while we march forward towards our unified goal – Our Road to 100 Restaurants!