Not everything has to be complicated. And for new Makati restaurant Brontë, that simplicity is exactly the point.
The name itself came about very casually. “It’s really because Bondi Beach is in Australia and I have Bondi & Bourke. And I just went two beaches away, Bronte. That will do,” recalls co-owner and chef Wade Watson. “It wasn’t a hard decision. It was very easy. But there’s no significance.” No elaborate symbolism, no overthought narrative—just an easy decision that felt right.
A similar sense of ease extends to the restaurant itself. The space is equipped with large windows that fill the room with natural light by day and frame moody views of the city skyline at night. The crisp white linens that drape the tables, along with the fine tableware, elicit a degree of elegance that’s tamed with some informality by the sculptural lighting dangling from the ceiling and the towering yucca plants. The design is unmistakably polished but definitely restrained, which can also be said about the menu.
At Brontë, the Classics Speak for Themselves
“The food is not overly complex, not fluffy,” says Watson. No foams, tweezers, or overly complicated plating. No theatrics even, with the kitchen just slightly being open, without being too distracting. Instead, the focus stays firmly on quality ingredients treated with care.
The menu draws from the classics: fresh oysters doused with mignonette and lemon pearls; foie gras terrine with plum compote; lobster bisque with candied lemon and Pernod; and an MB5 Queensland Wagyu steak tartare with cornichon, truffle, Dijon mustard and toast.
The desserts elicit familiarity as well: pavlova with Chantilly cream and passionfruit; sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, and a baked Alaska composed of pistachio genoise, strawberry pastry cream, and toasted meringue set ablaze with Grand Marnier.
These are the kinds of dishes that once defined a generation of dining and have quietly become less evident on contemporary menus. At Brontë, they return not so much as baits for nostalgia, but as reminders of why they are considered classics in the first place.
At the center of the menu is Australian beef. There are a few American cuts available, but, as chef Wade points out, the focus mainly is good Australian meat. Guests can choose from the Sher Family Ribeye, Snake River Farms Gold Label Striploin, or the Red Phoenix Porterhouse to go with indulgent sides like the foie and wagyu fried rice, corn and brie gratin, or French butter mash.
Still in line with simplicity, there is little need for rich sauces and an elaborate aging program when the quality of the beef already speaks for itself. They have been carefully selected and sourced particularly for their marbling and beefy flavor, and need nothing more than proper cooking and seasoning.
How Brontë Became the Next Chapter for Its Founders
The restaurant was born out of a longtime friendship. Wade and celebrity Derek Ramsay, close friends for many years, had traveled multiple times together and played many rounds of golf. When the opportunity to open a business presented itself, the decision felt organic. “He asked if I wanted to do it and I said, yeah, let’s do it,” says Watson.
Chef Wade has also been amassing a fine selection of wines and has always wanted a restaurant with a serious wine program. His bottles have finally found a home in Brontë. Next to classic cocktails, you will find a vault of rare and cellar-worthy vintages like a 2019 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, 1997 Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido, and a 1982 Château Haut-Brion.
“Everything just aligned. The timing was good,” says Watson. And as a result, the restaurant came together naturally—and with hardly any complications.
Brontë is located at 4th Floor, Levanto Building, 389 Jupiter St., Makati.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brontë is a restaurant in Makati founded by chef Wade Watson and Derek Ramsay, serving classic dishes, premium Australian beef, and an extensive wine selection.
Brontë is located on the 4th Floor of the Levanto Building, 389 Jupiter Street, Makati City.
Brontë is owned by chef Wade Watson and actor-entrepreneur Derek Ramsay.
Brontë serves classic Western dishes including steak tartare, lobster bisque, foie gras terrine, oysters, premium steaks, and traditional desserts.
Brontë is known for its premium Australian beef program, timeless menu, elegant dining room, and carefully curated wine collection.
Yes. Brontë features a serious wine program with rare and collectible bottles from renowned wine regions around the world.
Guests can choose from premium cuts including Sher Family Ribeye, Snake River Farms Gold Label Striploin, and Red Phoenix Porterhouse.
