Kenneth Cobonpue’s Fable Is a Wonderland of Design, Food, and Stories
From whimsical interiors to a menu curated by Kenneth Cobonpue himself, Fable invites guests into a world of imaginative design, thoughtful dining, and storytelling.
by Rhia Grana
Published on Aug 14, 2026
If you happen to pass by 8th Avenue corner 36th Street in Bonifacio Global City, it’s hard to miss the Kenneth Cobonpue sign in red, white, and black. Inside, as we would later discover, the showroom houses an impressive collection of the internationally acclaimed Cebuano designer’s signature works, as well as his collaborations with renowned brands and global celebrities.
Tucked into the showroom is Fable, a café and lounge with a story of its own to tell. According to restaurant manager Joyce Gonzaga, the area used to be an empty space, which gave Cobonpue the idea to turn it into a café.
“Fable is actually Kenneth’s vision. The inspiration came from the stories that his mom told him as a child,” shares Gonzaga. Of them all, Alice in Wonderland became the creative spark—particularly the moment when Alice shrinks after drinking from a mysterious bottle, making everything around her seem suddenly enormous. Fable plays with that idea, surrounding guests with oversized leaves and flowers to recreate the wonder of seeing the world through Alice’s eyes. At night, a projector by the DJ booth flashes snippets from Alice in Wonderland across the space, transforming Fable into an even more whimsical, dreamlike setting.
"This is how Kenneth wanted everyone to experience storytelling...to tell their own stories in a space that offers not just great ambiance, but also exceptional food,” Gonzaga adds.
Fable Cafe + Lounge takes guests through a full day-to-night experience. The day begins with brunch, followed by high tea, then happy hour, before moving into upscale dining. As night falls, Fable transforms into a lounge, with jazz nights featuring select artists on peak evenings such as Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Saturday nights, the mood shifts to disco, offering guests the chance to dance, let loose, and get into the groove.
Which is why it’s not surprising to know that Fable attracts a diverse crowd across all generations and demographics. “People come here to celebrate everything, from 16th birthdays all the way to 90th parties—Gen Alpha to Boomers. Our space is open to anyone looking to celebrate,” says Gonzaga.
The main dining area seats about 70 guests, or up to 80 if you include the VIP room.
As expected, the space showcases Cobonpue’s design genius. “This high table over here is designed for comfortable dining,” says Gonzaga, as she ushers us to one side of the restaurant. “Kenneth measured every detail so it could be enjoyed. It’s actually our favorite table.”
Gonzaga also takes us closer to the Curio Lamps for a look at their intricate designs. “Each design is distinct. No repetition,” she says. Guests can purchase the lamps, should they wish to take a piece of Fable home.
Even Fable’s menu is also Cobonpue-approved—or "Cobonpue-fied," as Gonzaga likes to call it. "Kenneth carefully selected and approved everything," Gonzaga says. "He hired chefs to conceptualize and prepare the entire menu. His personal favorites include the Giuseppe's Aglio e Olio and the Australian Beef Salpicao—though honestly, he loves every dish on the menu.”
They let us try a selection of dishes during our visit, and we totally get why there's something here for everyone.
The Four-Cheese Spinach Dip with Crostini is irresistibly good; it’s the kind of starter you’ll find yourself coming back to. Chef Elso Almodiel says the creamy dip combines four cheeses—Parmesan, cream cheese, mozzarella, and feta—hence that rich, savory bite.
To balance all that richness, there’s the Enchanted Beetroot + Arugula Forest, a vibrant salad tossed in a calamansi-honey dressing.
For the mains, the Australian Beef Salpicao features beef tenderloin coated in a savory, garlicky sauce. It pairs well with the garlic rice.
The Sumo Sea Bass is as pretty as it is tasty. The fish is crisp on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. The creamy risotto and earthy beetroot purée round out the dish, making for a beautifully balanced plate.
The Pita Sliders make a case for rethinking the classic burger slider. Instead of brioche buns, juicy patties are tucked into warm pita pockets with melted cheese, crisp greens, and a savory house sauce.
For those who want to sample a little of everything, the High Tea set brings together an assortment of savory bites and sweets, all prepared in-house.
Fable is a space where design, food, and storytelling come together, with enough variety to make each visit feel a little different. Whether you’re dropping by for brunch, settling in for afternoon tea, coming for dinner, or staying late for jazz and disco, Fable invites you to linger—and perhaps, like Alice, see the familiar in a slightly more magical way.
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