MANILA, Philippines - There is a new “bird restaurant” in Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center. Makati. Well, it’s actually been around (in Market! Market!, BGC, Taguig) since five years ago. It is called Owlisms, a food joint serving food, quickly; light, and affordable (FQLA). The resto serves Bacolodnon and Ilonggo dishes, its owners being natives of Bacolod.
Retiring as a top executive in a multi-national bank, Elaine Torrejon-Dichupa didn’t want to be idle so she thought of putting up her own restaurant.
The inspiration and motivation came naturally having been a collector of owl items and deriving the bird’s character – wide-eyed, wise, contemplative and solemn.
Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Owlisms is a place for morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner.
Some of the resto’s specialties are dinuguan served with rice or manapla puto, and molo soup. There’s also chicken arroz caldo -- regular or with turmeric. The sandwiches are served in a special bread, which is comes from another family venture – Elsie’s. Elsie’s is known for its French breads, plain or garlic. it also offers cakes and pastries.
At Owlisms, customers can enjoy intimate tete-a-tete, or entertain themselves by reading the Owlisms on the wall: “A wise old owl sat on an oak; the more he saw, the less he spoke; the less he spoke, the more he heard; why aren’t we like the wise old bird?” Another poster reads: “People won’t always see things as you do, let it go. You won’t always see things as others do, let it go.”
Beating the afternoon or evening rush traffic can lead one to Owlisms restaurant.