Photo used with permission from Casa Roces
Situated across the majestic Malacanang Palace, Casa Roces (formerly known as Kape Chino) has become one of the top restaurants in Manila since it opened its doors more than a year ago. That is because this casual style dining restaurant has masterfully treated its diners a harmonious blend of food, history and heritage within an intimate setting.
A Bit of Casa Roces History
Before Casa Roces became a restaurant, it was first a home that has been carefully preserved through time. In fact, much of the original setup of the home were carefully preserved and kept as it made its transition from a home into a casual style dining restaurant, from the vintage crystal chandeliers to the numerous artifacts and memorabilia originally owned by the Roces clan found all over the restaurant.
The Casa Roces Dining Experience
If there is one that makes Casa Roces such a unique restaurant in Manila, it is the overall experience guests have when they dine here. From the moment you step in, you get more of the feeling of stepping into someone’s home. The side entrance of the restaurant where you can avail of their valet parking service opens up to a cozy lobby area that looks and feels like someone’s living room where you are immediately greeted and accommodated by the waiting staff.
Comfort Food with a Twist
Two great desserts from Casa Roces to try: Basque Apple Pie (top right) and Ensaymada Bread Pudding with Spanish Chocolate
Casa Roces offers a selection of dishes crafted by Chef Menoy Gimenez of the Cravings Group. He got his inspiration from the Roces family cookbook and decor and added it his own personal touch to create an a la carte menu showcasing some of the much-loved dishes of the Roces clan as well as a few interesting signature dishes.
As part of the first year anniversary, Casa Roces now offers some great new dishes as part of their El Bulto del Casa menu, which gives you a great selection of Filipino and Spanish food good for up to 15 people, perfect for parties and special gatherings.
One perfect example of this is Casa Roces’ Choritos (smoked Spanish pork sausage) and Tinapa (smoked milkfish) mousse. Chef Gimenez took these two popular Filipino breakfast staples and combined them with a selection of cream cheese and herbs to balance out the otherwise strong smoky flavors. The result? Two appetizers that are light on the palate yet rich in flavor.
Another is their Ensaymada Bread Pudding with Spanish Chocolate sauce. Ensaymada is a sweet bread roll topped with butter, sugar and cheese usually enjoyed during breakfast or as a snack, often accompanied by a cup of rich hot chocolate. Chef Gimenez took his cue from the traditional pairing done by Filipinos to come up with this luscious, yet light dessert to fittingly end a hearty meal.
When it comes to their entree menu items, however, Casa Roces keeps them as close to the original and traditional as possible. Serving sizes are often good for sharing. Compared to the appetizers and desserts, the presentation of the entrees appear more homey and less artistic. But what it lacks in presentation, it overwhelming makes up in flavor.
Table side carving service in Casa Roces
I was particularly impressed with their Roasted Leg of Lamb served with some homemade mint sauce and local sweet potato. It was a no frills dish; just a huge leg set by our table. The only thing that added a bit of a flair to it was the fact that it was being carved right beside our table. But as soon as it was being carved, I knew I was in for a treat. The meat perfectly cooked, still having that slight tinge of blush in it. At the first bite, I was in heaven. The meat was so moist and tender, you barely need to chew it. The mint sauce was excellent. It had just the right amount of mint taste and sweetness to complement the lamb.
Another was their Morcon. The rich tomato-based sauce generously slathered onto it accentuated its rich meaty taste. Definitely a far cry from the one that I tasted back during my recent trip to Pampanga.
For vegetarians, try their Vegetable lasagna. The generous servings of an assortment of hearty vegetables tucked in between each pasta layer would make even a carnivore not miss the meat.
Casa Roces Tours
After your meal, you can take a walk around the outdoor dining area, or go up to the second floor, where you are briefly transported back in time when Casa Roces was still a home. Here, you can find artworks and paintings created by some of the notable artists in the country as well as those done by members of the Roces family. Also on display are different pieces of memorabilia, some dating as far back as the Commonwealth era in Philippine history.
If the place is not too busy, approach one of the waiters to give you a tour. I have been told that not only are they trained to give you prompt and excellent table side service. They have also been trained to give you a tour and a bit of its history.
The Daily Mirror, the President’s favorite room in Casa Roces
I decided to give it a try. Before coming here last Wednesday afternoon, I have read that President Noynoy Aquino would often come here to eat. Not surprising since it is literally just a few feet away from his office. I asked Randy, one of the waiters on duty, to show me around, particularly where the President would usually eat when he comes over to Casa Roces.
Randy proved to be a really good tour guide. He led me to the Daily Mirror—one of the private dining rooms located on the second floor of the restaurant. This, he told me, was the favorite of the President. It is also the room that has quite a remarkable piece of furniture: a huge wooden door formerly used in the house that has been converted into the private dining room’s table.
From there, he showed took me around the other private dining rooms located upstairs. Each were named after different print publications of the Roces family. Next to the Daily Mirror, my favorite was the La Vanguardia room. Named after the very first publication owned and managed by the Roces family, this was formerly the master bedroom. It is also the largest, with two long elegant tables—each able to sit 6 people—and two sofas, great for visitors to laze around and chat after a hearty meal.
This is not the only tour Casa Roces offers. Being so close to the historic Malacanang Palace, they also offer a package that includes a tour of the Malacanang Museum. This is definitely something I’m going back to try.
Final Thoughts…
After spending an entire afternoon here, I’d say it is definitely worth the trip. From the ambience, to the food, right down to the service, Casa Roces truly is a celebration of Filipino food and heritage, and worth the trip every single time.
Casa Roces Rating:
Ambience 5/5 Cleanliness 5/5 Menu Selection 4/5 Service 5/5 Price 4/5 Casa Roces is located at 1153 J. P. Laurel corner Aguado Streets, San Miguel, Manila (click here to view a map of the area). They are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturdays from 9am to 10pm, and Sundays from 8am to 9pm. Reservations are highly recommended since there are instances when the entire restaurant is closed because of different functions and events. For reservations, you can call them at (632) 735-5896 or (632) 488-1929. You can also e-mail them at reservations@casaroces.com.Have you tried dining at Casa Roces? Share your experience by leaving a comment below.
Casa Roces: A Celebration of Filipino Food and Heritage,
About Adeline Yuboco
Twitter: gilvibrations
says:
Ancestral or heritage home or residence is an ideal place to be converted into a resto. People love to stay in a place where historical events happened, so much more where they could be served with foods.
Be sure to check out Gil Camporazo’s most recent post…Installing Google Authorship To Blogger Made Easy
Unfortunately this is the first time I heard of this place. I love the ambiance and the historical significance of the place. Hope to visit this place too.
Be sure to check out Violy’s most recent post…Bantay Bell Tower and St. Augustine Church, Ilocos Sur
It’s quite young, Violy. Just a year old. Hope you do get to experience it soon.
It would be a worth time spending if ever I will experience that restaurant, picture pa lang eh amazing na… Ang ganda, I am sure many tourists are coming over to that place.
Wow, Casa Roces looks like a really beautiful place to have a lunch or dinner in. The food all sounds so delish, and the interiors speak well of our rich cultural heritage. Wish I’d get to pay Casa Roces a visit soon..
Seems to be an interesting place in terms of history of the structure, the current ambiance and the food offering. Hope to try it sometime.
I hope to get to experience dining here in the future so I can have my own share of review. With how it looks in the photos and with how you describe it in this post, dining here is something worth every penny one should spend for in a nice and cozy restaurant as this.
The place looks beautiful and the food… ughhh, Basque Apple Pie is to die for! Never thought that this place exists right in the heart of Metro Manila. Hope I could try it sometime!
Twitter: SusanPCooper
says:
Boy, do I wish this restaurant was close by. It sounds amazing, The tour would be so much fun. This place sounds like a restaurant I would truly enjoy and go back to again and again.
Yes, it really does sound amazing. Unfortunately, they had to stop it for the moment because of the rainy season, but once the rains stop coming, I’m joining one of those.
As for the restaurant, my best friend and I are already planning our next trip there by this coming weekend.
i have not been to Casa Roces, i think me and my family will enjoy dining in there, the ambiance is very homey
plus the tour at the Malacanang Museum will definitely worth the trip
Yes it is definitely going to be worth the visit. It will be a delectable way to enjoy learning about our history.
Twitter: bxunet
says:
This is one elegant and cozy place. I bet everything inside the malacanang palace are beautiful as what I have seen on National Geographic when they feature the Malacanang Palace
My mom works in Malacanang and I remember going here when I was younger. It was called Kape Chino nga before. We love coming here for breakfast because the ambiance is very homey.
Twitter: unsugarcoatedr
says:
I haven’t been here but the place looks really interesting. I love both good food and art and Casa Roces seems to provide both.
Twitter: NezMercader
says:
I also saw this place last April and never actually got the chance to try their menu. I honestly thought it’s pricey because from the looks outside, it seems to be a very fine dining place. But based on your review, will definitely try them. Hehe
The place looks so elegant and I think it’s pricey too. I have checked their website on the link above and I think I will definitely consider this casual style dining restaurant for my family gathering
.. Thank you so much for sharing.
I love it when heritage buildings are transformed and maintained so well. This really looks like a beautiful and cozy place. Above all, I’m glad it also caters to the palate of the vegetarians. Thanks for shring.
Be sure to check out Lubna’s most recent post…Take a Chance
i do not like tinapa because it leaves a not so good smell on the mouth^_^…but your post got me into thinking, tinapa with cream? wow! it must be creamiliscious:)
If that’s the case, you’ll find their tinapa mousse definitely a pleasing surprise, Imriz. I personally don’t also like tinapa because it leaves an aftertaste in my mouth and a lingering smell. Not good if you’re in an event and you got to talk with people. The mousse had just that right amount of tinapa taste without the aftertaste and the not-so-good smell. You should try it when you have the chance to drop by and visit.
Twitter: catarinaalexon
says:
Casa Roces sounds like a wonderful place with fantastic food Adeline! Always had good food in Manila when I worked there for a while 24 years ago. The blend of all kinds of food has resulted in Filipino dishes that are delicious.
Be sure to check out Catarina’s most recent post…Be yourself – instead of – parroting
Twitter: m4bmarketing
says:
Hi Adeline,
I really like your reviews as you bring the places and food to life and Casa Roces sounds like it well worth a visit. I also like the way they added the option of the tour which is a value add for their customers.
Be sure to check out Susan Oakes’s most recent post…How To Avoid The Marketing Wobbles
Adeline, you have written a superb post for this place! I love a restaurant that is built from a structure that was formerly a home. It always makes the meal seem even cozier. The upstairs, with the Daily Mirror sounds charming as well. Two thumbs up to Casa Roces for preserving the history and heritage of this place (and to the chef who was inspired by the Roces cookbook!)
Be sure to check out Bethany Lee’s most recent post…Thank You Number 1
Places that hold a legacy never fail to attract me. Casa Roces provides that as seen from its majestic structure and interiors. I really hope to have the chance to sample their food.
Be sure to check out Teresa Martinez’s most recent post…How to be a Good Person
Will certainly pay this place a visit
And that veggie lasagna you were saying,..can’t wait to order for that.
Be sure to check out Yani’s most recent post…The Kitchen of Cakes and Coffee
I like the details you have given about Casa Roces. I would like to visit this place when I come to Manila. I Like the pictures that you have shared and I am feeling hungry after reading the description of food