Yet another family food chain

She was widowed at 42, when husband Romy, an airline pilot then just 45, perished in a plane accident, leaving her with eight children, the youngest only nine years old. But Pacita (Chita) Syquia-Almario is a formidable woman. Amid great sorrow, Pacita continued what she and Romy established early in their married life – a food chain which has today blossomed into one of the most preferred dining outlets in the city.

It is most likely that her culinary genes came from her mother Consolation Pineda Syquia, a Kapampangan who cooked well. She operated restaurants in government offices, the legislative building and water works but this was cut short by World War II.

After marriage, Chita and Romy, both with business acumen, started their food venture with a small eatery in front of the US embassy, in the building called Dutch Inn. Thus they named their burger outlet Dutch Treat. Business was good and they were encouraged. Soon Dutch Treat evolved into Triple Treat, which sprang from her perception that pizza, then beginning to come into the food consciousness of the Filipinos, would soon captivate the dining crowd. Chita did her own version of pizza.

Like their first venture, this gave them profits and success, leading them to open branch from Araneta Center in Cubao to the rest of Metro Manila. It was time to go bigger. Romy quit flying, and focused on designing and operating what would be Luigi’s Steak House on Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

Romy went back to flying, but tragedy struck. He died in a plane crash, leaving his wife to care for their children and their business. The widow resolved to carry on and provide their children with a comfortable life.

In 2007, the first Relish opened on Ponte Salcedo in Makati. Other branches followed. Called Mama Dang by her children and grandchildren and not quite active anymore, Chita continues to guide her children in managing the Syquia-Almario food chain that includes Relish, a gourmet comfort food restaurant, and the Japanese restaurant Aburi in Madison Galeries in Alabang Hills and Citadies Millennium Hotel, Ortigas. She can now be spotted often in a corner in one of their restaurants having lunch with friends. The crown jewel of the chain, Relish Luxe Café, is located in the new Citadines Millennium Hotel. Try their artichoke dip, the authentic molo soup, salads, the well done phad thai, beef rendang, among others, and indulge in rich and quite sinful desserts. Or go to Aburi where the sirloin cubes are a must.

Happy Sunday to all!

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