Explains g.Botin director and corporate secretary Atty. Antonio Victoriano "Tonito" F. Gregorio III, the new setup meshes together fine art, dining and music in one venue.
Since the restaurant opened in December 2001, it has introduced changes in the menu reflecting the preferences of its regular patrons.
"We’ve added a couple of new specials, while retaining our popular dishes," Gregorio says. "We’re also being more patriotic by promoting Filipino artists, as well as Filipino items in our menu."
Saturday Group president King Verano says g.Botin offers the artists’ collective an alternate home for their art and art making. The new venue will hopefully offer Libis regulars an opportunity to experience art.
Monthly exhibits at g.Botin will feature an established artist and a handful of new artists. Malang opened the Saturday Group’s initial foray at the new venue, bringing with him a handful of his recent works.
There will also be regular sketching sessions at the venue on weekends. Artists can come regularly to dine and discuss trends in the arts and other matters. The venue will also be open for other art groups.
Verano says this is the Saturday Group’s umpteenth move from its original home base at the Taza de Oro along Roxas Blvd. in the ’60s. Its current home at the Ali Mall in the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City has brought their art closer to the masa. The alternative venue at g.Botin will address the lack of art venues in the Libis area.
G.Botin presently serves as a watering hole for the professionals who operate the restaurant. Most of them are lawyers, while the others manage their own business. It is only in the evening when they can hang out and relax.
By redirecting its operations from a fine dining establishment to a casual dining one, Gregorio hopes the restaurant will attract Libis’ gimik crowd.
"We also want to attract the older crowd," he adds. "When the cinema complex beside us opens, we hope to offer movie goers an after-movie coffee place or a dining place for those going to the theater."
He says g.Botin now keeps an evening schedule, with the restaurant open from 6 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It plans to offer lunch time service by the end of the month, with the restaurant open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"We’re busy during the day to be able to manage the restaurant," Gregorio says. "We also have other things to do. But, we’re going to change that now."