Abba Grill and Deli Serves Up Mediterranean Favorites—Perfect for Solo Meals or Group Feasts
Every creation has a unique tale, and Abba Grill and Deli is no exception. Ivery and Don, a husband and wife pair, are fully aware of this. Don felt it one day at work, and it lingered with the pair for a few days. This occurred around the conclusion of last year, 2025.
Don became restless at one point and considered launching his own restaurant—one that would serve as a playground for creative kitchen experiments rather than a cash grab. After all, this duo has all of the experience necessary to start from scratch and promote Abba Grill and Deli. To begin with, the duo is naturally creative. Muscle memory, to put it bluntly.
He (Don) is, after all, a culinary graduate, now a chef, who has worked in restaurants and hotels in Boracay and Manila. She (Ivery), a writer and former English professor, who first came across several sorts of cheeses and charcuterie at a delicatessen near the university where she had taught. It was meant to be!
Moreover, Don and Ivery have been longtime acquaintances of mine in the industry in which I am presently engaged for decades now. Unknowingly, I contacted Abba Grill and Deli without knowing who the owners were. Serendipity or fortuity? Whatever the circumstances, nostalgia persuaded us to proceed. The timing was ideal.
Concept:
Indo-Mediterranean
The Abba Grill and Deli Menu…
Resto Format: online; will join bazaars next as they plan on renting a physical space.
Specialties: Chicken Kebab, Beef Kofta Kebab, and Grazing Platters
Quirk:
When they were deciding on a name, they looked for a word from any Mediterranean language. They decided on “Abba” since it is easy to pronounce and means “father” in Aramaic. In their family, the father (Don) cooks. He is also the chef or culinary soul of our meal concept.
Don finds the word “Abba” and its spiritual connotations crucial because he grew up without a parent. He lost his father in a car accident while he was only a toddler. He has since grown up with a sense of spiritual guidance, as if from a physical father.
When he married Ivy and had two children, he felt fulfilled in his role. “Abba” is a term of endearment, like “papa” or “daddy,” implying a strong bond between parent and child. Through his cooking, he could provide for and nourish his family.
Location:
Pickup or delivery from Santolan, Pasig
Typical Spend:
Php 330-3,800.
Contact:
09275744249
09178996610