MANILA, Philippines - The recent triple celebration at Alba Restaurnte Espanol was celebrated with authentic Spanish food, for which the restaurant is known, while music, dancing and the company of family and friends completed the festive mood.
First, it was the official opening of Alba’s latest 180-seater branch at the 4th level of the Prism Plaza in Two ECom Center at the Mall of Asia Complex. Second, the new restaurant was the venue for the launch of The Alba Cookbook that features, not only best-loved Spanish recipes, practical cooking tips and bits of wisdom on life of Anastacio de Alba, but also celebrated the man who is known as the “King of Spanish Cuisine†in the country. The occasion also marked Alba’s 60th year in the Philippines.
Guests enjoyed servings of tapas between sips of Spanish wines after the ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by chef Miguel de Alba, Alba’s son, who is also the restaurant’s general manager, Lesley Ann Calixto-Rubiano, representing her mother, the Congresswoman of Pasay City, Emi Calixto-Rubiano; David Rafael, senior vice president, SM Land Inc, and Alba’s business partner, Frederick Salvador.
During the book launch hosted by Anvil’s marketing head Gwenn Galvez, some of Alba’s family members and friends paid tribute to Alba including food writer Chona Trinidad, who wrote Alba’s biography and translated his Spanish poems and anecdotes. Cirkulo’s owner, chef J Gamboa and chef Miguel led the celebratory toast saying, “Long live, Papa!â€
Joining chef Miguel were his wife Cachelle, who is the restaurant’s marketing manager and their talented seven-year-old daughter, Maya, who painted “Los Molinos de La Mancha,†an 8x14 feet mural displayed in the function room as a tribute to her abuelo.
The editorial team of the Alba Cookbook was led its editor, Nancy Reyes-Lumen; Ige Ramos, award winning book designer; Mike Gomez who did the graphics and layout and Caloy Legaspi who shot the cover photo.
Other guests included Congressman Teddy Locsin and wife Louie; Joaquin Roces; EspaFil owner Marilou Garcia-Morera; STAR columnist Claude Tayag, food and travel columnist Teddy Montelibano; Maya Kitchen manager Rory Subida; Anvil assistant manager Karina Bolasco; and PhoBac owner Jeanne Menguito,
Alba Restaurante Espanol has branches at Polaris St., Bel-Air, Makati; Tomas Moratocor. Scout Lozano, QC; and Westgate Center, Filinvest, Alabang.