REMINISCING THOSE GOOD OLD DAYS

Raised with the presence of seven male cousins during childhood years, I was used to helping my grandmother in the kitchen instead of playing bull fight with the bunch of rude boys. I grew up seeing Sundays to be all about food and Lola was the regular Master Chef of our clan’s hungry vultures. It was a fulfillment for me having tasted the food before they were served in the buffet table. Those days were pretty remarkable to me.

Due to everyone’s hectic and unparalleled schedules, it was hard for us to bring back those gatherings now that no one in the family inherited my grandmother’s passion in cooking. I must admit nobody from us can cook our family’s favorite dishes the way she does. While our family has lately been seeing more bonding moments with cousins and other relatives by eating out, we appreciate the pleasure of gathering in a homey atmosphere more. Thanks to our acquaintance from Nagoya Japan, he awakens our inquisitiveness by his compliments on different blogs and restaurant reviews. We had a chance to visit Casa Roces, an ancestral house now a full-service restaurant and café standing proud across Malacañan Palace. The ambience made us feel the comfort of home as if we travelled back in time for Lola’s good old home-cooked specialties…or even better. 

Casa Roces is from a 1930s pre-war ancestral home renovated into a full-service restaurant and cafe. It is now a white house surrounded with a spacious, warm and welcoming environment, and interior and decor that entice visitors to stay longer.

The restaurant has a spacious driveway ideal for families who finds travelling along with relatives and friends very heartening. The ground floor hallway reveals a casual and brighter space.  On the opposite side lays proud some of their antique chairs. The room is very comfortable, as if I travelled back in time when I was playing around with my siblings on our grandmother’s living area. There is also a bar in one corner, where you can have a sip of their cocktails, beer, and wine and an art gallery like nook with portraits of the Roces' ancestors.

At Casa Roces, one will definitely feel the warmth of being welcomed in a traditional Filipino home with an ambience and cuisine that brings family’s most cherished moments to life.

Casa Roces is located at 1153 J.P.Laurel cor. Aguado St., San Miguel, Manila and is open daily from 10:00am until 10:00pm.

Power Up with a Power Lunch

Saving cash without compromising your gastronomic pining.

         In the current economy, many of us are looking for ways to reduce our expenses on food, especially in this fast-pacing society where we can no longer afford to cook for our own. However, our subconscious minds and hungry bellies are badly craving for an exquisite meal to satisfy our appetite after our morning activities. We also want to make sure that it will be a hunger quencher, preparing us for the rest of the afternoon. 

         Food doesn't have to be "just" food. It has to be quick, plateful and scrumptious for us to experience, enjoy and savor a complete meal. Added with an ambience and great value, our lunch time will remarkably be great.

         Making smart choices saves our money. And because Cravings Restaurant does value our money like we do, they are offering Power Lunch Plates that we surely don't want to miss!

         Avail Cravings Restaurant's buffet and choose from three different Power Lunch Plates: Belly O Baby (Fork-tender Pork Belly simmered in Asian Spices then grilled to perfection. Served with Pandan Rice and Oriental Salad), Seafood Sensation (Mixed Grilled Seafood, Salmon, Shrimps Capsicums and Rice Pilaf. Served with Fesh Vegetables), and Chicken Barbie (Our own style of Chicken BBQ served with Java Rice and Mixed Vegetables) for only P499.

         "Power Up with a Power Lunch" is available at Cravings Center Katipunan, Cravings Shangrila Plaza Mall, Cravings Molito Mall, Cravings Terrazzo Mall and Cravings Eastwood Mall every weekdays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm starting August 15, 2013 until September 30, 2013.

          Great tasting lunch with greater value you deserve to enjoy!