Include also in the list of those who have access to this cuisine the Extra Radio, Company, Senior, Junior Members, Viudas and sometimes a guest like your favorite food columnist! These are the members of Casino Español de Cebu (107-109 v. Ranudo Street, Cebu City, Phones 253 1260 to 64, http://www.casinoespanol.ph): De Numero means with voting rights, Super Numerario, no voting please and Extra radio are members with no fixed residence in the Province of Cebu. I wonder how the club would classify a member who resides in a nice yacht!
In 1920, a group of gentlemen led by brothers Don Vidal and Ramon Aboitiz, Don Manuel Moraz, et.al., were looking for a chill-out area (un grupo entusiasta de españoles) and decided to invest P10,000.00 each to form a club located in a green chalet in Legaspi Street. It was a huge sum at that time considering that maids were paid fifty centavos per month and there was such a coin with a value of half centavo (called diyut).
Fast forward to Dec. 31, 2004 and that was the grand opening of the new clubhouse and club membership was converted into a Proprietary Membership Club. The same objectives remain, like providing “its members, their spouses and minor children, social, recreational, sports and cultural facilities…, promoting the Spanish language and culture, and the spirit of harmony and cooperation among members, etc.”
To realize these objectives, Casino Español has world class facilities like a swimming pool, fitness gym, two badminton courts, two tennis courts, a six-lane bowling alley, library, internet cafe, sports bar and business center. Whew, so difficult to have world class quality!
My beloved readers, however, know that favorite destinations for this writer are the dining establishments in the clubhouse and these are the El Comedor, La Terraza and the Bar Mixto. Proper attire is required to gain entry to El Comedor (slippers are slippers, no matter how expensive!) before you can dine on “Spanish specialties, Continental cuisine and Nuevo Latino menus.” La Terraza serves “Casino specialties, Filipino favorites, an Asian corner and international cuisine” while in the Bar Mixto, minors are not allowed to enjoy the “classic and cozy watering hole.”
Activities and events can be viewed on the internet and more work was scheduled for your favorite food columnist like, excuse me, a Prime Rib Night at the El Comedor by the CEC GM Ed Tongco and Board Member Jaime Jose L. Escaño.
After a selection of fine cheeses and a glass of wine, I had small servings of the Pâté de Champagne, Pork Roulade, Celery Apple Salad and Dill Seafood Salad. Very timely was my acquisition of a book, Perfect Pâté (by The Editors of Time- Life Books) for me to understand the nuances of terrines and pâtés.
To the purist, a pâté (French for “pie or pastry”) must be served in some form of pastry crust while terrine is named after the earthenware vessel where the minced ingredients are baked. A good, well-flavored stock adds moisture and flavor to these dishes and perhaps this is the secret behind the delicious Pâté de Champagne and Pork Roulade.
With fibers provided by the two salads, I went for the main attraction, one slice of the Slow Roasted Rib Eye, U.S. Angus Beef. As usual, I wait for the middle portion to be served because I prefer medium rare and the beef was at its succulent best.
For members & their dependents, prices start at P598+ per person while guests pay P100 more. Try comparing this service with other establishments, but you have to be qualified to be a member. Enjoy also the “Fellowship Cocktail” at 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Bar Mixto (for free!) every last Wednesday of the month, Dia de Espanidad, Dia de Santiago.., so many activities.
Ah, the privileges of being a de numero, super numerario, extra radio….of the Casino Español de Cebu!