Homestyle Ambiance at Ecila

During the days when Ayala Center Cebu’s lagoon was still around, there was a small cafe fronting Starbucks that promised an intimate dining experience and entertainment all night. Acoustic nights, as they called it, were something to look forward to after an all-day’s work that’s why yuppies found shelter in this cafe.  My buddies and I also loved to hang out at Patio Ecila. We had a favorite spot where we nibbled our pica-pica and chatted the night away. When the café had to close to give way to the construction of The Terraces, Cebuano foodies did not lose heart because the café was moved to a much bigger space at the Asia Town I.T. Park.

Patio Ecila started with only two tables, eight chairs, a sink, a microwave and a refrigerator. It then grew to a full-pledged restobar and became one of Cebu’s trendsetters with regards to dining and entertainment to attract not only diners but music enthusiasts, as well.

In its new home, Patio Ecila clings to its established niche as a restaurant with a homey, relaxing ambiance that serves home-cooked meals. It has attracted a diverse crowd with its specialties. Family matriarch and proprietor Alice Lao is brains behind the restaurant, as well as the F & B in charge. The restaurant’s name is actually her name spelled backwards! Alice, as the queen of the kitchen in the Lao household, developed specialties that later on became part of the restaurant’s best delights such as the Homestyle Beef Tapa (which is to die for) and Filipino favorites such as the Patio Pochero, Lengua Estofado, Crispy Pata, Chicken Pork Adobo, among many others. Though the Laos were basically into the construction industry for quite some time now, their enthusiasm and love for good food carried them to the food industry. Sons Renault and Marvin do the marketing while young teenpreneur daughter Clarisse Marionne heads the operations.

Alice’s Beef Tapa has been a family staple and for the Ecila regulars, too. “Mom originally cooked it for my dad for sumsuman to go with his beer. Since we offered beer at Patio Ecila, Mom decided to offer the tapa to customers, as well. What surprised us were the reaction of the customers, they all loved it as much as we did! Funny thing was we didn’t expect it to get that kind of attention because we always thought that everyone could cook that kind of tapa. I thought our tapa was ordinary,” shared Clarisse. Though Alice did not have any formal training in culinary arts, her cooking prowess was hastened being the eldest in the family, she had to take care of the whole family way back. When she got married, her hubby became her worst critic.

In their efforts to design a 130-seater food hub that is synonymous to a home dining area, Architect Girlie Ang made sure there was a homey feel to the urban interiors by using wood and glass with a wash of earth colors.

Among the dishes that you should try when visiting Ecila are Kiev Cutlets (breaded chicken breast fillet stuffed with herb butter stick served with buttered vegetables and light mustard sauce), Fillet Mignon (grilled beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon, cracked peppercorn sauce), Oven-steamed Lute Fish (steamed grouper fillet flavored with ginger root on a bed of red cabbage, showered  with white sauce), Prawn Scampi (grilled prawn with lemon butter sauce), Zunfthouse Mixed Grill (a combination of beef, pork and chicken, bedded on linguine pasta) Fettucine Aglio Olia with Shrimp (al dente with shrimp and spicy sauce), and Penne Edgardo (with creamy white sauce, ham, mushroom, broccoli and herbs).

In 2007, the Laos ventured into the catering business and since then Patio Ecila became visible in corporate events, parties and family gatherings. This year, another milestone awaits the Laos as Ecila Bistro will open soon at the third level of the Ayala Center Cebu’s The Terraces. According to Clarisse, the bistro will have a cowboy style dining concept but will still carry some of Patio Ecila’s specialties. However, since it has a different concept, there will be more food choices in the menu.

So if you’re looking to a laidback, cozy ambiance without compromising great food, make it Ecila. Every night is acoustic night (folk, soul, jazz and bossa nova) that starts at 9 p.m. Be sure to tag along your friends. Patio Ecila, located at CJRS Point Bldg, Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, is open from 10 a. m. till the wee hours of the morning.