What people can expect from the new Merk's Place

MANILA, Philippines –  For eight years, Merk’s Bar and Bistro, the popular restaurant and music lounge in Greenbelt, Makati City, has served a loyal clientele that raved about its live entertainment and sumptuous dishes.

The Wednesday Jazz Festival, for instance, has become one of the sought-after attractions on weeknights, when local jazz artists performed in the venue.

One of the original establishments that opened in the Greenbelt 3 area, Merk’s is the successful investment of Prince of Jazz Richard Merk and his wife, Roni Tapia. The couple managed to complement each other by combining his versatility as a seasoned entertainer and her corporate business savvy.

“Although we came from different backgrounds, Roni and I thought of things we wanted to do together and Merk’s was one of them,” grants Richard. “Everybody can do partnerships, but how you make it work and sustain it is something else.”

Richard conceptualizes the entertainment shows and gathers the artists, while Roni handles the business aspect, publicity, promotions and events management. Evidently, everything has worked well for both of them.

Top local artists and bands have taken center stage at Merk’s — Martin Nievera, Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano and Kuh Ledesma — lending their stellar status to give recognition to the entertainment venue and allowing Merk’s to become a byword when it comes to great entertainment.

International artists such as Angela Bofill, Kevyn Lettau and Pauline Wilson of Seawind fame have likewise performed at Merk’s. Richard, for his part, had the chance to sing Spain with Al Jarreau during the meet-and-greet for Jarreau and George Benson, who both performed at Araneta Coliseum in 2008.

Merk’s has become a popular venue for fundraisers, too. To date, Richard has initiated shows that were able to benefit musical director Toti Fuentes, TV host Eddie Mercado, pianist Romy Posadas, Chin-Chin Gutierrez, character actors Dick Israel and Paquito Diaz, and the son of Anthony and Maricel Pangilinan, who had an open-heart surgery in the US.

“I am thankful to the countless artists who always heeded my call and obliged to the many fundraisers I organized at Merk’s,” Richard says. “There were so many artists who didn’t think twice to perform for a good cause. We will continue to do more fundraising shows as needed.”

Recently, the restaurant and music lounge moved to a new home along Pasay Road in Makati and was re-christened Merk’s Place. The couple’s good friend, Mike Guison, did the interior design of the venue, which continues to elevate the quality of entertainment that Merk’s has been known for, as well as its reputation for good food.

Richard, also an avowed cook, works hands-on to bring excellent Filipino cuisine to a different level. Old-time favorites and bestsellers like Al Quinn’s pig knuckles, sugpo sa gata and rellenong bangus, remain on the menu.

“These are food that have been identified with Merk’s which people look for,” Richard explains. “But we also included new dishes that customers will keep coming back for. We want to give guests a variety of our specialties on the menu.”

Merk’s new location also makes it accessible and convenient for birthday parties, reunions, sales conventions, corporate functions, press conferences, business meetings or any intimate gathering. Richard points out Merk’s is flexible to meet client’s needs and requirements and will always work according to the budget.

Today, after eight years, Richard and Roni show no letup in managing Merk’s. They personally oversee the operations, from the food preparation to the entertainment aspect.

The couple also constantly reinvents Merk’s, conceptualizing shows and events to attract more clients. The Glass Onions performs Beatles hits with Richard. There’s also the Jazz Night specials.

“We are blessed and thankful to all those who have been supporting and believing in our vision,” Richard says. “We have dedicated time and passion to both the old and new Merk’s. You must be creative in this kind of business and give the people something new all the time.

“It’s fun to do something that you love. That’s important to get you going. I am so grateful to everybody who has been a part of Merk’s, to all our clients who support us and keep coming back. I want to do more for them.”

Merk’s Place is at the second floor Colbella Arcade, 910 Pasay Road, Makati City. For details, call 378-0546, 701-2289 or 0906-4904730.