The Test Kitchen

The story

The Test Kitchen in Quezon City – Michelin Recommended European Tasting Menu

The Test Kitchen

In early 2017, Chef Josh Boutwood opened a small tasting‑menu restaurant called The Test Kitchen, quickly becoming a fixture of Manila’s dining scene. After a yearlong hiatus, Boutwood returned to the concept in November 2019, moving to a new location in Rockwell Makati and reimagining the format with a renewed sense of purpose.

The restaurant’s guiding principle is simple: “Time is an ingredient.” That philosophy shapes every dish, encouraging patience and precision in the kitchen. The menu showcases European cuisine, interpreted through Boutwood’s refined technique and respect for seasonality. The intimate setting—now with air conditioning and outdoor seating—keeps the focus on the food.

The Test Kitchen earned a Michelin Recommended distinction in the 2026 guide, a recognition that affirms its quiet, consistent excellence. It remains a place where the chef’s vision evolves plate by plate, and where every meal feels like a new discovery.