Kim Cruz finds a creative home at Café K
Kim Cruz transitioned successfully into her creative endeavors as an artist, art instructor and curator after her stints as a host at MYX and ESPN Philippines. She became a mentee of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) to hone her craft. Kim’s intense passion for the arts is reflected in every brushstroke as she creates her opus on canvas. Her artworks explore the female figure in glorious form.
Her impressive paintings were displayed at art exhibits in Tokyo, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Miami and the Philippines. A creative multi-channel platform, The Art House, recently featured the collaborative works titled “Frames of a Memory” between Kim and photographer Tiago Pestana, an artist born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal. The artworks were visual spectacles of two media — paint and photography. The intimate showcase of limited-edition works was held at Café K, the newest must-visit dining space in Makati City. Five masterfully painted art pieces in ink and acrylic on linen, on museum canvas, featuring actress Nadine Lustre as a model, were displayed. The event was attended by Nadine, Kim, Tiago and other special guests.
Art provides comfort as a form of self-expression for mental and emotional well-being, just as good food and tranquil ambiance can be great sources of comfort for diners, who need a perfect place to unwind and revitalize after an exhausting day doing the regular grind. Café K offers these recharging experiences, thus making the newly opened restaurant an ideal setting for a quiet solo meal, a romantic date with a loved one, an intimate gathering with family or friends, and even elaborate events such as art exhibits featuring works by renowned and emerging artists.
A sister company of Kinetix Lab and Kinetix+ gyms, which give utmost priority to strength and conditioning training, Café K guarantees fitness and lifestyle wellness for guests while it redefines everyday dining with nutritionist-crafted meals. “Café K is the softer heartbeat of Kinetix: the meals after a good session, the conversations that linger, the pause in the day that reminds you to breathe and enjoy being human,” shared Café K director of operations Kevin Lim.
Café K stands out with several factors. There is calorie transparency, as it offers nutritionist-certified information on every dish, so each guest understands their food intake while dining. According to Kevin, they focus on calorie-counted meals because people deserve clarity. “Transparency makes food more liberating, not limiting. It turns dining into self-care instead of self-policing.”
Diners may choose from an array of savory meals, including mushroom chicharon, grilled chicken bowl, seared tuna salad, pork and basil stir-fry, or tiramisu, minus the guilt. Café K also offers guests a carefully curated wine selection — organic, well-made and reasonably priced.
The restaurant takes pride in its chefs who live the lifestyle. Kevin said, “Their fitness backgrounds naturally guide us in creating comforting, mindful meals that support both everyday living and active lifestyles.”
Executive Chef Carlos Lanzona is a three-time Philippines’ Strongest Man. Café K’s culinary team creates meals shaped by fitness principles, real nutrition knowledge and professional technique. Chef Carlos explained that the dishes are mostly homegrown ingredients, an intentional choice to support and give back to the community.
People sometimes think dining in a sophisticated restaurant is quite expensive, but Café K contradicts that belief. The price range is affordable, which encourages frequent returns.
“We love food, and we make dishes as reasonably priced as possible without losing any joy,” said Chef Carlos.
Café K is located on the ground floor of M1 Tower, H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Who knows, when you drop by and dine at Café K, you will get to see an exciting event like an art exhibit by a famous artist or watch a media launch featuring celebrities?
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