Mediterranean flavors you’ll enjoy time and thyme again
The sizzle of garlic in olive oil is a familiar sound in many kitchens—but for this enterprising momma, it was once just a pause between board meetings, franchise reports, and expansion plans.
Before the aprons were embroidered with her own brand, she was steering the helm of a well-loved restaurant franchise—learning the rhythms of operations, the language of margins, and the art of pleasing a crowd. It was safe. It was proven. It was profitable. But the market was evolving—and the concept was not.
Younger diners were seeking spaces that felt curated, contemporary, Instagram-worthy. Despite renovation efforts, the dining rooms continued to fill with the same loyal families. Reliable, yes. But no longer growing.
So she stepped away.
What followed was not immediate triumph, but uncertainty. There were sleepless nights over supplier negotiations. Design revisions that didn’t feel quite right. Hours spent in the kitchen testing pasta sauces. Moments of doubt that come only when you trade stability for self-belief. Building something of her own meant absorbing every risk—financial, emotional, reputational—without the cushion of a franchise name behind her.
On a bustling stretch of Congressional Avenue, Desiree Benipayo began again—this time on her own terms, with her daughters Dana and Audrey quietly witnessing what reinvention looks like in real time. No franchise manuals. No inherited menus. Just instinct, experience, and a sharp understanding of what today’s diners crave.
The result is Thyme & Again, a Mediterranean-Italian-inspired restaurant born not just from courage, but from conviction.
“We named it Thyme & Again because we cook with real herbs, real warmth, and the kind of food families naturally come back for, time and ‘thyme’ again,” enthuses Desiree.
Step inside, and that conviction is immediately visible. The space is warm yet refined—sunlit corners, textured walls, and thoughtful details that feel both Mediterranean and unmistakably homegrown. A pot of fresh herbs sits on each table, a quiet nod to the kitchen’s philosophy and to Desiree herself, a proud “plantita” whose love for greenery spills effortlessly into the dining room and the al fresco area.
Even the music is intentional. “Our playlist is meant to feel like a family vacation soundtrack—timeless, cross-generational songs that everyone can enjoy,” Desiree shares. “It sets the tone for relaxed meals, shared moments, and new memories.”
Gone are the predictable dining rooms of yesterday. In their place sits a space that feels intentional, intimate, and entirely her own.
Classics with a filipino soul
The menu draws from the sun-soaked coasts of Italy, France, and Spain—eimagined through the bright, familiar soul of Filipino cooking.
Think Mediterranean food with a Filipino feel: dishes designed not for nostalgia, but for discovery. New comforts. Unexpected flavor twists. Plates meant to be shared—generous enough that everyone at the table can dig in together.
The menu at Thyme & Again is extensive—you could easily get lost in its pages. But what makes it even more considerate is its clarity: Each dish is marked with allergen indicators, making it easier for diners to navigate dietary needs without second-guessing what’s on their plate.
But if you’re visiting for the first time, here are five dishes worth the trip to Congressional Avenue alone.
Start off with the Truffle Mushroom Cappuccino Soup—a velvety blend of fresh mixed mushrooms, roasted and cooked down with cream, finished with truffle and topped with a swirl of cream and delicate truffle crumbs. It’s earthy, indulgent, and quietly dramatic—the kind of starter that makes the table pause mid-conversation.
Next, order the Tableside Alfredo—a little bit of culinary theater that turns dinner into an event. Prepared right beside your table, the creamy Alfredo sauce is tossed with freshly cooked pasta until glossy and perfectly coated, then topped with roasted mushrooms, grated Grana Padano, rendered bacon, and a crack of mixed peppercorn. It’s rich, aromatic, and indulgent—comfort food elevated by craft and presentation.
For something heartier, the Skillet Bourguignon arrives with presence. Slow-cooked beef belly, braised until fork-tender in the classic French style, is served sizzling on a cast-iron skillet, blanketed with a luscious cheesy fondue sauce and topped with roasted vegetables. It’s rustic yet indulgent.
If you’re dining with a crowd, the Fritto Misto is non-negotiable. A bountiful mound of crisp-fried shrimp, squid, tripe, mackerel, and seasonal vegetables arrives golden and impossibly light, made for passing around the table. It comes with a trio of house-made dips—tomato aioli, cool tzatziki, and pesto vinegar—each adding a different Mediterranean accent to every bite.
At just P695, it’s a generous platter that feels indulgent without overthinking the bill—proof that abundance doesn’t have to come at a premium.
Cap the meal with something light and luminous: the Honey Citron Semifreddo. This eggless semifreddo, made with premium white chocolate, honey citron jam, and whipped cream, is delicately set and served over a bed of Biscoff crumble. Candied citron peels and fresh orange segments add brightness and texture, creating a dessert that feels indulgent yet refreshing—a gentle, citrus-kissed finale to a deeply satisfying meal.
At Thyme & Again, dining is an experience. Sunlight spills into textured corners. Fresh herbs scent the air. Soft, cross-generational music sets the tone. Here, conversations linger. Memories are made. Every visit feels like coming home—but with a little extra flair.
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Thyme 7 Again is on the second floor, Barrington Place, Congressional Ave., QC.
