Casa Marcos revived

MANILA, Philippines - Casa Marcos, the old Spanish restaurant in Roxas Blvd. established in the ’40s by former pelotari Marcos de Guisasola, has just celebrated its one year of re-opening at The Fort’s Burgos Circle. Many will remember the restaurant being run by Ben del Rosario, an executive of GSIS, Landbank and National Housing Authority in the ’60s, after Señor De Guisasola had to move back to Spain.

Casa Marcos opened up branches in Gilmore Ave. and Tomas Morato in Quezon City during the succeeding years before finally closing its doors in 2000.

It was the founding of The Bread Bag Pandesal Bar at Ortigas Home Depot in 2008, owned by Del Rosario’s grandson Jigger Galvez and business partner Kevin Khoe, which led to a clamor for a Casa Marcos branch once again. Long-time patrons asked the family to re-open the resto as they missed all the dishes they grew up with and had never experienced in any other Spanish establishment. All these fond memories and stories throughout countless years of eating at the restaurant served as a catalyst for the owners to restore Casa Marcos at the Burgos Circle in February, 2011.

Since then, many old patrons have come to satisfy their cravings for the garlic-rich Almejas or baked clams, the tasty, tangy Gambas, Baked Pampano, Tenderloin Steak Ala Pobre and Paella Valenciana, just a few of the bestsellers. Just like the old days, you will be served freshly-baked pugon pandesal with butter as well as the famous garlic-vinegar Marcos Sauce as a prelude to the unforgettable meal to come.

Here’s a few of the show-stoppers:

•Sopa de Mariscos — A creamy seafood bouillabaisse soup with a light tomato base.

•Almejas — Baked clams topped with melted cheese and crispy garlic bits.

•Tenderloin Tips — Sliced tenderloin with roasted garlic.

•Adobong baboy damo — Slow-cooked wild boar in vinegar and garlic.

•Steak Ala Pobre — Tenderloin steak cooked in oil and garlic, Casa Marcos style.

•Baked Fish — Pampano or Lapu-lapu baked in oil and served with tomatoes and onions.

•Prawns Moliniere — Three pieces of tiger prawns cooked in a unique butter sauce with blanched tomatoes and fried potatoes.

•Paella Valenciana — Hearty rice meal seasoned with chicken, seafood and Spanish chorizo seasoned with paprika and cooked over a low fire.

Many personalities have been seen dining at Casa Marcos since its re-opening, namely Vice President Jejomar Binay and wife Dr. Elenita Binay, Sen. Manny Villar, former Sen. Butch Aquino, the late Rep. Kokoy Romualdez, Rep. Gloria Arroyo and former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, as well as Gretchen Barretto, Tony Boy Cojuangco, Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband. Some faces from Manila society include Ching Cruz, Consul Agnes Huibonhua, Tina Cuevas of Sulo Hotel, Therese Coronel of Cinderella, Susan Joven, Fe Rodriguez, Millet Mananquil, Maritel Nievera of Cabalen, and the young entrepreneurs and the office crowd who prefer Casa Marcos’ restobar downstairs which is open until late in the evening.

(Visit Casa Marcos-Fort Bonifacio branch at F121 Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Heights, Rizal Drive, Taguig City, with tel. nos. 703-7784 and 552-3781; and Casa Marcos Steak Tapas-Home Depot Branch, Unit 20A/20B Ortigas Home Depot, J. Vargas St. Pasig City Metro Manila, 470-3637.)