Casa Roces: Serving Luxurious, Delicious and Affordable Food

Casa Roces is a must-try experience in Malacanang area

This restaurant provides not only great food but an elegant and cozy ambiance, mystifying artwork and historical lessons

Whenever I go to Malacanang area, the purpose was always official. I thought of the place as very busy and serious because of the barong-clad men and Filipiniana-dressed women. But one day, I was invited to have merienda at a family friend’s restaurant located at 1153 JP Laurel cor Aguado St. San Miguel, Manila. The restaurant was named Casa Roces.

When I arrived at the place, we were met by a valet who took the car to their parking space. I only saw valets in the movies so I figured the restaurant was for the rich. I had a homey feeling about the coffeeshop as I entered. I thought of it as coming home to an elegant and picturesque house. My aunt explained that it was actually a house built in the 1940s and belonged to the Roces family. It was only on July of last year when the current owners turned it into a restaurant.

When I entered the place, I was looking forward to meeting for the first time one of my late grandma’s friends, Tita Peachy Roces Prieto. As we were waiting for her to arrive, I looked at the place. It was not your typical restaurant. It looked like a house where a get-together family party was set up with its beautiful tables and chairs.

When I looked at the menu, I was delightfully surprised at the food they offered. Some I just read in novel books while the others were my favorites. But what really made me happy was the price. The food was priced reasonably. With one thousand pesos, you will be stuffed. One of their appetizers is the Bacalao Caviar Pate, a warm, creamy salt cod and potato pate topped with black caviar and served with warm baguette. That was the first time I tasted caviar and it was so delicious. The price was unbelievably affordable at around P400.00 only and 4 people could actually share it. They also had different salads and soups under P200.00. Their entrees did not exceed P380.00 and their pasta was less than P 300.00. They also had sandwiches, the usual Filipino merienda, a breakfast menu, dessert, cakes, and assorted beverages.

When Tita Peachy arrived, it seemed as if I came home to the arms of a long lost aunt. She then shared a brief history of the restaurant and her family. The Roces family I learned were freedom-fighters, known journalists and artists. They were all that and were lovers of food. When I asked Tita Peachy why the prices were very reasonable given the elegance of the place and the type of food they served, she said it was her decision to give the best meal to customers without ripping their pockets. 

Casa Roces is best described as having a classic-meets-contemporary ambiance. Aside from the cozy restaurant, there is a mini bar and a dessert bar in the ground floor as well as an accessory shop. When we toured the second floor, I felt like I was in a museum. There was an art and family heritage gallery that spoke through pictures about who the Roceses were and their national contributions to the country. During our visit that time, Tita Peachy’s daughter Bianca was actually getting ready for the grand opening of Galeria Roces (the 2^nd floor of the building) which I learned was later on graced by President Noynoy Aquino.

Should you crave for superb, delicious and inexpensive meal and want to look at some great paintings and artwork, go to Casa Roces and you will surely enjoy your stay. You can call them at Telephone numbers 735-5896 and 708-4020 for inquiries or visit their website at www.casaroces.com.

photo: http://www.casaroces.com/