Spain’s El Botin reopens

According to The Guinness Book of World Records, El Botin in Madrid, Spain is the oldest restaurant in the world, dating back to 1725. The restaurant is also mentioned in the book Fortunata y Jacinta by Benito Perez Galdos (published 1886-1887) and Goya supposedly worked here before becoming a painter. Hemingway was a frequent visitor and pronounced it one of his favorite restaurants. Today, the restaurant is decidedly a tourist spot, since it appears in so many guidebooks. Don’t let that put you off, though, because Spaniards still go there to sample the excellent food, specialties being cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) and cordero asado (roast lamb). The restaurant consists of tiled, wood-beamed dining rooms, with cast-iron ovens several centuries old. As you eat, you may find yourself serenaded by the occasional tuna, a musical group formed of students and playing traditional songs in traditional dress, complete with knickerbockers.

El Botin restaurant dates from 1725, when the ground floor of what was previously a small inn (since the late 16th century) was renovated and around the same time a log-fired, cast-iron oven was installed. This type of oven is typical of Castillian restaurants, where roasts of all types (meat and fowl) are the mainstays of Castillian cuisine. The restaurant is located in Cuchilleros St. a short walk from Plaza Mayor in downtown Madrid.

Surprisingly (or perhaps not), El Botin was opened in the Philippines during the late ’60s, and has now re-opened at the ground floor, Information Center, Fuente Circle, Eastwood City Walk in Libis, Quezon City.

"Our reputation was built over time. We say we had three centuries of flavorful experience," says restaurateur/interior design specialist Irene Pineda. Having learned the art of Castillian hospitality, the modern-day El Botin runs very smoothly today and the local owners plan to keep it that way.

El Botin itself was considered a fine dining must for Filipino mestizos as far back as three decades ago for the local crowd who wished to enjoy its "pureness of atmosphere" and "salubrious climate." The old restaurant, (also called El Botin), served Malate’s finest Spanish cuisine until the mid-’70s when El Botin was relocated to the San Juan area. Many well-heeled guests eventually settled there, with convenient proximity to Makati and Quezon City. The present El Botin in Eastwood, with its intricately detailed interiors, was constructed last year as a painting gallery-type exhibit area. Major additions such as the piano bar and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine was decided by the present owners prior to its soft opening last January.

The current owners, whose interest is collecting artworks, are highly regarded by Pineda. "They had a vision and just needed people to run it. They’ve been very supportive with our current operations. They give us all the tools we need," she said.

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you will feel as if you are transported back to another era. The food in El Botin makes no concessions to the visitors – it’s standard cuisine of the type to be found all over Castille, and the setting deserves at least one visit.

For reservations, contact 421-30-84 or visit El Botin at The Fuente Circle, G/F Information Center Building, Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.