Gastronomical tribute

We have not featured dining destinations in this column for some time now.  I did not really notice this until a regular follower called my attention, so here is another discovery that should make you bring the family for a nice lunch or dinner.

Romulo Café is a name that now counts its own avid following since it started nine years ago. The owners and proprietors, Sandie Romulo-Squillantini and husband Enzo Squillantini, thought having a café to honor Sandie’s grandfather, the great statesman Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo, would only be fitting for this extraordinary Filipino who brought such honor to the country.

The couple opened their first branch in Quezon City in 2009, although they admit that their first instinct was to open a restaurant in Makati. They, however, realized that rent in Quezon City is generally much lower than in Makati, and Q.C. is actually more populated.  When they showed the available space to their partner, renowned designer Ivy Almario, she loved the site immediately.

Well, that first branch spelled the brand’s future in the local restaurant scene.  The owners opened their second branch in Makati in 2011, just two years after their first foray and after another two years, in 2013, opened their third branch in Alabang, strategically covering the three major areas in the metro.

The interiors of all Romulo Cafés basically follow the same basic lines — homey and warm. The other Romulo Cafés focus on more familiar landmarks in Philippine history like the historic Leyte landing for instance and the time when the Philippines’ star shone brightest when Carlos P. Romulo served as president of the United Nations.  Because the owners are bent on continuing the legacy of Carlos P. Romulo, they have not veered away from the original concept. Their Alabang branch, which is located inside the Azumi, a boutique hotel, showcases other interesting aspects of the statesman’s colourful life as a dignitary. On the walls are prominently displayed incredibly well-preserved letters written to Romulo by presidents and other dignitaries from various countries:  former US president John F. Kennedy and other members of the Kennedy family and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, to name a few. On the walls, carefully laid out were pictures of the great little man hobnobbing with foreign presidents and ambassadors and generals who towered over him and our own former president Ferdinand Marcos and his vice president Arturo Tolentino, and their handwritten letters to CPR which were all warm, affectionate, and respectful.

Because the interiors were laid out by no less than Ivy Almario, everything comes together as one cohesive idea, from the flooring to the walls and ceiling.  The interiors of the Alabang branch are Filipino, but more contemporary.  And because the owners are honoring the memory of CPR, known to many as one who loved and enjoyed Filipino food, loved to travel and meet people, these qualities are all chronicled there. Sandie says, “This sense of history as well as their heirloom recipes of Filipino favorites are what sets us apart from the rest.”

Sandie brought to Romulo Café their family’s heirloom recipes, foremost of which is her grandmother’s Chicken Relleno.  So guarded is this family recipe that up to now, the chicken relleno, known here as Lola Virginia’s Chicken Relleno still comes fresh daily from the family kitchen, not made by the chefs  in the kitchens of the three cafés.  The cooks in the restaurants can’t seem to duplicate the relleno as faithfully as the original recipe.

There are the other good old favorites, all faithfully Filipino, that every Filipino is crazy about.  I am referring, of course, to the quintessential kare-kare which my readers know is also an all-time favorite of mine. Every Filipino restaurant offers crispy pata, so Sandie and Enzo decided to bring their own unique touch to this all-time favorite Pinoy dish as well. They offer boneless crispy pata binagoongan, so you actually enjoy the goodness of two well-liked Filipino dishes in one big dish. There is also their flying tilapia, crispy and big enough to fill up one big platter. This comes with different sauces like honey bagoong and chilli garlic and soy sauce.

Romulo loved Filipino food, so they also brought to the café his favorite desserts — suman sa latik and halo-halo, which features a generous serving of leche flan topped with ube ice cream and sprinkled with crispy pinipig. Sandie says this was her grandfather’s ultimate favorite so they made sure they offer it using very fine ice.

The Alabang branch opens as early as 6 a.m. (unlike their Makati and Quezon City branches which opens at 10:30 a.m.) and closes at 10 p.m. The Alabang branch, which can seat as many as 70 – 80 persons, can also handle special events like birthdays, baptism, and intimate wedding receptions.

B&L asked Sandie and Enzo what is in store for Romulo Café, the brand.  We were surprised to learn from Sandie that they actually opened a Romulo Café in London about two years ago and it is doing very well with patronage not only from the thriving Filipino community there. There are also offers to open a branch of Romulo Café in other countries, but the couple is treading very carefully, not wanting to have too much on their plate at one time. According to Sandie, “It remains to be seen,” if they will pick up on these offers.  For now, your choices are Quezon City, Makati, Alabang and London, if you happen to find yourself there.

Mabuhay!!!  Be proud to be a Filipino.

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