King of Castilian cuisine

Shoppers have found a new reason to rejoice with the opening of TriNoma in Quezon City. Mallers, this is your mecca.

Carrying Ayala’s trademark landscaping and water features, TriNoma is home to the widest array of retail choices. It has been billed as a place where everything comes together — from well-loved stores to new shopping concepts, from state-of-the art cinemas to a lively activity center. But food trippers have even more reason to rejoice.

From among the several dozen retaurants in TriNoma, one stands out as “home away from home.”Meet the little casa within the Ayala kingdom.

Casa Armas Tapas Bar y Restaurante, located at Level M3 of TriNoma, is the latest branch of the original Spanish restaurant opened by the late Spanish chef Jesus Armas in Malate, Manila.           

While the original was put up as a fine-dining place that offered authentic Spanish cuisine in a cozy and friendly atmosphere, the newer branches are styled to cater to after-dinner patrons as well.The branches on Jupiter street, Podium Mall, Greenbelt 3, and TriNoma are owned and managed by sisters Laura Lim Rodrigo and Lorraine Lim Aguila, who wanted Casa Armas highlighted as a tapas bar, serving traditional appetizers with updated classics.

Casa Armas in TriNoma, which has a total seating capacity of 90, gives a modern take on the original restaurant’s signature rustic environment. The design elements are mostly modern with posters of bullfights and medieval shields adorning the walls to still give the place a Spanish tavern appearance. Jojo Filio, officer-in-charge of operations, says that while the Makati branches are patronized by the after-dinner crowd, the new TriNoma branch caters to families. Families carrying shopping bags and baby strollers looking for a respite from malling through a hearty meal, to be exact.

“We target mallers who want quality food and special service,” Filio says. “They want food they are familiar with and served in a place they can call a home away from home.”

Nothing satisfies a hungry stomach better than Paella Valencia, a traditional Spanish rice dish with pork, chicken, seafood and vegetables. Among the favorites for those dining in large groups are the tasty Asado de Pollo Ensu Jugo (roast chicken), which has to be ordered four hours in advance, and the Chuleton Segoviano, which is certified Angus beef served the Segovian way. The beef is cooked in a special burner in front of the customers while musicians sing Spanish tunes as they wait.

Apart from the various paella dishes, there are 46 tapas to choose from, including the best-selling Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp in olive oil), Chorizo Frito (Spanish sausage in olive oil), Calamares a la Romana (breaded squid rings), Boquerones (Spanish anchovies in olive oil and garlic), Tabla de Jamon, Chorizo y Queso (a symphony of special ham, sausage and cheese from Spain), Salpicao (beef tenderloin cubes) and Tabla de Jamon, Salchichon y Sardinas (array of Jamon Serrano, Spanish salami, and Spanish sardines).Diners craving for something different can try the Ancas de Rana (sauteed frog legs in garlic and olive oil), Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician octopus in olive oil) or Oreja de Cerdo a la Planca (crispy grilled pork ears in garlic sauce).

“The Casa Armas menu is evolving and we try to introduce new tapas regularly so people can expect something new each time they dine here,” says Filio.

The restaurant hopes to attract corporate groups seeking private lunches through their 25-seat special function room.

What makes the room special is the large bull head mounted on the wall. The stuffed toro head is imported from Spain and has information on the name of the triumphant matador’s name, the ring where man and beast fought it out, and the date of the bullfight.

Maricel Rapisa, sales manager, says those who want their food catered should definitely try the Cochinillo al Horno ala Castellano, or roast baby pig, which serves 10 people.“The cochinillo is a favorite takeout item among regulars,” she says. “When served, the roast pig is cut using a bread plate. Now, that’s crispy.”

Casa Armas Tapas Bar y Restaurante is one the featured outlets in the Citibank World Privileges program that offers rewarding experiences to cardholders.  Diners who use their Citibank card will receive a free order of tapas for a minimum single receipt purchase of P1,000 and a bottle of wine for a purchase of P10,000.

This is the royal treatment that patrons of Casa Armas have come to expect. “Our customers come back for the good food and the even better presentation and service we provide,” Filio says. “Experiencing great flavors and the joys of eating is what Spanish cuisine is all about.”

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Casa Armas Tapas Bar y Restaurante is located at Unit 3007, Level M3 of the TriNoma Mall on EDSA corner North Avenue, Quezon City. For catering, takeout, and in-house functions, call 9000-449.