MANILA, Philippines – Since it opened three years ago, Lemuria has distinguished itself for its sumptuous lineup of French Mediterranean cuisine. Tucked away like a well-kept secret in a quiet village in Quezon City, Lemuria occupies a charming country house surrounded by a garden of tropical ornamentals and flowering foliage. Inside, the warm wooden floors, the floral-printed curtains and hand-embroidered tablecloth seem to hold the promise of an extraordinarily inspired cuisine.
Marina “Kitt” Schroeder, Lemuria’s gracious and affable proprietress has kept the inspiration flowing in the restaurant’s every aspect and detail. The menu, which chefs Rudolf and Golda May Ranada — the dynamic husband-and-wife culinary tandem — painstakingly creates, is sampled and endorsed by Kitt herself. Her passion for superb cuisine stems from her equally unequivocal love for fine wines. After all, Kitt, and her husband are the brains behind Brumms Quality Wines, which has built its reputation on marketing rated brands and vintages, and handling every bottle with utmost care.
It is no wonder that Kitt leaves nothing to the imagination in flawlessly managing Lemuria’s day-to-day operations. Through word of mouth, Lemuria’s fame spread among connoisseurs of fine dining — an exclusive alliance of gourmets that applauds Lemuria’s excellent cuisine, elegant ambience and personalized service.
But the 28-seater restaurant, designed for intimate dining, is hardly spacious enough to accommodate the growing clamor to hold large events. In a bid to provide a venue for Lemuria’s growing clientele, Kitt acquired the lease of a stately ancestral mansion at 35 Broadway Place in New Manila.
The post-war mansion stands behind intricate wrought-iron gates that swing open to an elegant driveway. The house greets visitors with elegant vestiges of an affluent era — a living room furnished with plush settees from the ‘50s, heavy brocade drapery, and heirloom objets d’art contained in a glass display. A pocket corner features antique wooden furniture and an intricate period chandelier. The large windows open to a verandah that looks down into a large garden with ancient trees.
Amid the unhurried air of a bygone era, Lemuria’s spirit of exquisiteness has found an opulent home. Through its catering service, more people will be able to experience the restaurant’s famed cuisine, fine wines and warm service in a setting ideal for grand celebrations.
Lemuria is located at 5 Julieta Circle, Horseshoe Village, Quezon City. The Broadway Place, for large events, is located at 35, Broadway St., New Manila. For inquiries, call 724-5211 and 722-2185.