New Restaurant Opens

Thirteen years after its first branch opened, Lemon Grass is now taking root at the SM Seaside City Cebu, with its opening last October 18.

No less than the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla blessed the commodious restaurant. The place can accommodate at least 80 to 100 persons in one setting.

What started as just a simple business expansion turned into a passionate cultural exchange between families from Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Unknown to most, the Laguna Group actually delved into Thai cuisine years before Lemon Grass came to be. As the pioneer Food & Beverage Concession of City Sports Club Cebu way back in 2002, the group ran a Thai concept at the fine dining May-I outlet.

In his stint at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, Laguna Group corporate chef Raki Urbina, met fellow chefs from Thailand and Vietnam in the prestigious Worlds of Flavor Conference. It was there that his interest in putting up a restaurant featuring these countries` cuisines came about. “I was fascinated with how Thai and Vietnamese cooking shared many common ingredients but differed very much in taste,” says Chef Raki. In fact, Lemon Grass became the official restaurant name due to its being featured in a lot of Thai and Vietnamese recipes.

An invitation to visit Thailand paved the way for the Urbina family to go into extensive research for Lemon Grass. Chef Raki reconnected with friends and colleagues during this trip and was amazed to learn that one of them was a mentor to cross paths with Mr. Andrew Boongird who fast became an adopted son of the Urbinas as he generously helped the group immerse in Thai culture.

Lemon Grass is located at the Upper Ground Level, City Wing, SM Seaside City Cebu. It is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.