A stopover for food lovers and car enthusiasts

MANILA, Philippines - If you ask the average man what three things he likes the most, he would probably answer “women,” “cars,” and “food.” For some guys, the order gets jumbled, but these three are almost always on a guy’s list. If a man doesn’t have a woman in his life yet, food and cars are the next best things.

Fortunately, there is a place that mixes the two perfectly. On the quiet street of P. Tuazon in Quezon City is the quaint but lovely Red Baron. It is a café conveniently situated beside a car wash and repair shop.

“I am actually a part owner of this car wash,” says Red Baron owner Reupert Johnson Sy. “But Red Baron is solely owned by me.”

The name Red Baron comes from the owner’s combined love for cars and his native roots.

“If you are a car enthusiast, the word ‘baron’ is used to designate Michael Schumacher because he is considered the best driver. So the Germans dubbed him Baron. At the same time baron in Chinese means dragon and we all know that the dragon is a symbol of good luck for Chinese people. And red is also the color associated with good fortune,” explains Sy.

The place isn’t huge but its size is not restricting. The space is perfect for those who want to have their cars washed and wait in a place that serves good food. The walls are decorated with the owners’ collection of miniature cars and Hot Wheels.

Beef, beef: The chili con carne is made with chunky ground meat and the cheese melts in the mouth.

“The idea is for car enthusiasts to have a place to hang out in,” Sy says. “We wanted to provide a place where car lovers can get together and just talk and hang out.”

But aside from providing a comfortable stopover for car lovers, Red Baron serves amazing food as well. Looking at the menu, its contents are mostly finger foods and pasta — those that don’t need any fancy preparation but can still fill one’s appetite.

The chili con carne is a definite must-try. The chunky ground meat is filled with flavor and the surprise potato bits add a little kick to the already-tasty meal. The cheese just melts in your mouth but is not too gummy to overpower the taste of the meat.

The cheese panini is a perfect merienda for those who want a hearty and satisfying meal. The dish is served with homemade French fries; one should experience it in order to tell the difference between that and the ones sold at fast-food restaurants.

Red Baron also serves coffee, tea, and other concoctions. The Black Forest Frizzy is a fine partner to any meal with its chocolate base and essence of cherry. The Dragon Ball Frizzy, which is a favorite of kids, according to the owner, is a strawberry-based cold drink that is both refreshing and satisfying.

“It was my brother who introduced me to the world of coffee and teas and this other stuff in between. But he does it better,” says Sy. “Actually our home-brewed coffee was made by him.”

But the house special that made the owner smile from ear to ear was the Carbonara Lynn.

Car-lovers love good food: “If you are a car enthusiast, the word ‘baron’ is used to designate Michael Schumacher because he is considered the best driver. At the same time baron in Chinese means dragon and we all know that the dragon is a symbol of good luck for Chinese people. And red is also the color associated with good fortune,” explains Red Baron owner Reupert Johnson Sy.

“This dish actually has a story to it. This carbonara was what made me fall in love with my wife,” relates the blushing owner while trying to suppress a sheepish smile.

Indeed one would fall in love, as the Carbonara Lynn is very different from any other carbonara. Its sauce is light and smooth and the sweetness harmoniously combines with a little bit of saltiness. The pasta is cooked to perfection and served with two buttered breads. One cannot help but enjoy this carbonara down to the last strand of pasta.

For the owner, this is only the beginning. He has his sights set on putting up Red Barons in malls, hopefully within the year.

“I would like this business to grow because I really feel that there is a market that would appreciate it,” says Sy.

It may be small but don’t let the size keep you from enjoying Red Baron. Combining cars and delicious food, Red Baron would qualify as a haven for most men.