The Clavano brothers—Lui, LA, and Mico—are not your average restaurateurs.
They’re visionaries, risk-takers, and game-changers in Manila’s booming food and nightlife scene.
From launching Wagyu Studio, a temple to premium Japanese beef, to shaking up BGC’s nightlife with the groundbreaking Izakaya Geronimo, the trio is proving that their passion for hospitality runs as deep as their love for Japanese cuisine.
From Passion to Culinary Powerhouses
The Clavano brothers didn’t just stumble into the restaurant business—they built their empire from the ground up.
Their journey started with Wagyu Studio, an elevated dining experience that marries Kobe beef and Tsukiji-level seafood, redefining what a high-end steakhouse could be.
Partnering with Carlo Alvarez, they created a haven for wagyu lovers, offering a tasting menu that turns premium cuts into an art form.
But why stop there? The brothers wanted something even bolder, more immersive, and unpredictable—a place that blurred the lines between dining, drinking, and nightlife. Enter Izakaya Geronimo.
Wagyu Studio: A Pandemic Gamble That Paid Off
Opening a luxury steakhouse during the pandemic may sound like a risky move, but for the Clavano brothers, it was the perfect opportunity to fill a gap in the market.
The idea for Wagyu Studio began when Lui Clavano and his partners were exploring Japan’s legendary wagyu scene. Their goal? Bring an authentic, high-quality wagyu experience to Manila.
Initially, they had plans to franchise Japan’s Wagyumafia, but when the pandemic delayed everything, the Clavano brothers decided to go all in and create their own concept.
That’s how Wagyu Studio was born—a steakhouse that elevated wagyu dining to an art form while offering an uncompromising focus on quality, technique, and experience.
Despite launching at a time when restaurants were shutting down, Wagyu Studio thrived.
With a curated tasting menu designed by Chef Yoji Kitayama, it quickly became a must-visit spot for steak lovers.
Offering A5 Kobe beef, premium Japanese seafood, and one of the best yakiniku experiences in Manila, the restaurant established itself as one of the most exclusive dining spots in the country.
The success of Wagyu Studio cemented the Clavano brothers’ reputation as serious players in Manila’s culinary scene—but they weren’t done yet.
The Birth of Izakaya Geronimo
Taking a 470-square-meter leap of faith, the Clavano brothers, alongside partners Yoji Kitayama and Carlo Alvarez, set out to create a modern Japanese izakaya experience unlike anything Manila had seen.
They wanted more than just another restaurant; they envisioned a full-blown destination—one where you could start with sake, savor world-class sushi, and end up dancing in a sleek lounge with a curated cocktail in hand.
At Izakaya Geronimo, the experience is everything.
- A sake and sushi bar welcomes diners with the freshest ingredients flown in from Japan.
- A ramen station churns out handcrafted bowls of umami-packed goodness.
- An intimate dining space offers premium izakaya-style dishes from Chef Erik Idos and Yoji Kitayama.
- A hidden lounge at the back transforms into a high-energy party scene, complete with DJs and a keg system serving chilled cocktails on tap.
“We imagine Izakaya Geronimo to be a place you can go for dinner, pre-game, and end-game all in one,” says Lui Clavano. And they delivered.
Pushing Boundaries & Elevating Manila’s Hospitality Scene
What makes Izakaya Geronimo and Wagyu Studio stand out is the Clavano brothers’ unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and experience.
Whether it’s serving A5 Kobe beef in Wagyu Studio or curating a sake list that rivals Tokyo’s best spots, they refuse to settle for the ordinary.
Their bold, risk-taking mentality is paying off. Izakaya Geronimo is one of the hottest spots in BGC, drawing in food lovers, nightlife seekers, and celebrities alike.
Meanwhile, Wagyu Studio continues to set the gold standard for premium steak dining in Manila.
But for the Clavano brothers, this is just the beginning.
With their hustle, vision, and appetite for risk, the Clavano brothers aren’t just changing the game—they’re rewriting the rules.
And if their past success is any indication, Manila’s culinary scene is in for a lot more surprises.
