Sofra so good

MANILA, Philippines - Several years back, he was known only as Aiko Melendez’s husband. Now, Martin Jickain is making a name for himself in the food industry, being one of the partners of a fresh and unique bar and restaurant—Sofra. So far, business has been good.

Twenty-seven-year old Martin holds a Diploma in Culinary Arts and Hotel Management, but admits it was only a couple of years back when he realized he had a passion for food.

“When I was younger, my focus was in my modeling career. Honestly, I really did not know how to cook that much, all I knew was the basic stuff. But when I turned 25, I realized I wanted to take up culinary arts,” Martin says.

Martin’s all-time favorite food is sinigang but despite his culinary expertise, he still thinks that the best sinigang he has ever tasted is the one prepared by his family’s household help. Martin always cooks for his family every Sunday and everyone loves the dishes he prepares. He has also cooked for a special woman in his life and is an avid believer of the saying, “The easiest way to a person’s heart is through her stomach.”

This prompted him to think of turning his passion for food into a business. Together with some friends, he put up Sofra Lounge Bar and Restaurant in April this year. With its cozy ambience in a prime

location at the Fort Strip, Sofra is a place with fine yet affordable food as well as a great spot for after-dinner parties.

Martin’s specialties are fillet mignon with his special steak sauce and grilled pork barbecue belly, both of which are included in Sofra’s menu. Martin personally thought of the concept of Sofra as a restaurant lounge bar.

“Sofra is a restaurant that offers fine gourmet food at a very reasonable price and after dinner, it turns into a lounge bar where you could hang out with friends and have cocktails while listening to the best compilation of songs played by our very own DJ,” Martin proudly shares.

Sofra’s existing menu was also personally supervised by Martin who says that every dish was given much attention. Sofra used to serve Mediterranean cuisine, but with Martin’s innovative thinking and Sofra executive chef Ana Miguel’s help, Sofra now serves continental cuisine for lunch and dinner and a good array of cocktails starting at 10 p.m.

Martin admits it was difficult to attract many diners at first, especially with the new line of food choices Ana introduced, but with the help of an events and promotions team, Sofra started to become known to many people from its target market, the upper class A and B.

Celebrities started frequenting Sofra, and these personalities help spread the word that Sofra is a real great place to eat and enjoy. One of its avid clients is no less than pound-for-pound king Manny

Pacquiao who sometimes comes with good friends Gov. Chavit Singson and reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion

Gerry Peñalosa. PBA cager Alex Crisano also eats here often with his PBA player friends. John Estrada is also a regular visitor.

These famous guests, and all other diners, enjoy Sofra’s bestsellers —Panizza, Mushroom Soup, Peppered Steak and Raspberry Pannacotta every day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Add to the superb menu Sofra’s DJ giving the best music and you get an excellent dining experience comparable to none. Recently, Martin personally brought in DJ Surf, a famous DJ from Boracay, to play music for Sofra’s guests for after dinner hours.

Martin is planning to expand next year with a possible branch around the Ortigas area. More exciting dishes will also be launched soon.

Martin is also lining up several events for a more exciting experience at Sofra.

“I am personally inviting everyone to visit Sofra and try our dishes. I promise that you won’t be disappointed,” Martin says.