The main entrance to the the house, which has been turned into a restaurant

MANILA, Philippines -- Casa Roces is an ancestral home renovated with love and contemporary flair, and named in honor of a family of writers and artists who love to eat.   It’s now a full-service restaurant and cafe located in the genteel district of San Miguel, Manila. With a kitchen run by the Cravings Group, Casa Roces serves moderately priced “comfort” food influenced by Filipino and Spanish cuisine, and based upon the heirloom recipes of the Roces family.

Right across the most prestigious address in the country – the Malacañan Palace, Casa Roces is located in a home built during the Commonwealth era and newly renovated by Architects Rey Ilagan and Bettina Bonoan.

The ground floor of Casa Roces features a coffeehouse with an outdoor wooden deck, a dessert bar, and a memorabilia and accessories shop.  A bar also serves cocktails, wine, beer and liquor for evening patrons. On the second floor are a bistro, an art and family heritage gallery as well as private rooms decorated with a mix of Commonwealth elegance and contemporary flair.

The Cravings Group, which operates the popular Cravings and C2 Classic Cuisine restaurants, has developed a menu based on their interpretation of some of the Roces family’s most well-loved dishes.

As National Artist for Literature Alejandro R. Roces puts it: “In the Philippines , food and the art of eating has evolved to become a commercial event. An excuse for revelry and companionship.  A meal is a time to meet new friends, old friends, family and everyone in between. The Filipino is famed for his hospitality, and that hospitality is centered around food.”

For more information, Casa Roces is at 1153 J.P. Laurel corner Aguado St., San Miguel, Manila. Please call 735-5896, 708-4020 or e-mail: reservations@casaroces.com for reservations.