Dining with Carlos P. Romulo
MANILA, Philippines - Romulo Café has captured the hearts of those who have dined — and has them coming back for second servings.
“My husband came up with the idea of putting up a restaurant in honor of my grandfather, Carlos P. Romulo, ” says Sandie Romulo-Squillantini, granddaughter of the man himself. “We wanted to create awareness with the younger generation. People don’t know who he is anymore. Even my children didn’t realize the impact he had during his time.”
Young Filipinos are clueless about the man who astounded the world with his intelligence, wit and passion to excel and contribute to world peace and harmony. “He was a soldier, a journalist, he became secretary of education, secretary of foreign affairs, foreign minister, he was an ambassador, he served eight Philippine presidents, from President Quezon all the way to President Marcos,” recalls Squillantini proudly.
Just like Carlos P. Romulo had it: The boneless crispy pata binagoongan Romulo Café is the work of partner and designer Ivy Almario. Modern and clean, but warm, with her signature black and white colors, touches of green topiaries, large prints, and vivid contrasting colors that surprises the guests with its charm.
All around the restaurant, the walls are lined with framed photographs that are neatly arranged to show the different stages of his remarkable life.
While the restaurant is managed and operated by grandson-in-law, Enzo Squillantini, a graduate of hotel and restaurant management in Switzerland, the Spanish-Filipino fare was conceptualized with the same ingenuity — the recipes are straight from the Romulo kitchens.
Lola Virginia’s chicken pork adobo Romulo-style, and Tito Greg’s kare-kare are crowd favorites. Dishes from Camiling, Tarlac are evident in the menu with chicharon, boneless crispy pata binagoongan bagnet pakbet, and bagoong rice, among others.
A must try: Tito Greg’s kare-kare “The food is really lutong-bahay,” says Squillantini. “What makes it more impressive is the fact that the pricing is affordable. Our average price is P450 per person.”
Romulo Café is located at 32 Scout Tuason corner Scout Lazcano, Tomas Morato, Quezon City, and is open everyday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6 p.m.-11p.m. Dinner reservations are a must, call 332-7273. For more information on Carlos P. Romulo, visit http://www.carlospromulo.org.
