Mario’s Restaurant has been there for as long as we can remember. During a dinner recently, we were surprised to find out from Mario’s scion Fil Benitez that the original Mario’s in Baguio City is 37 years old, while the one in QC is 28 years old! I believe these two are the only surviving branches now; still, that’s impressive for a highly competitive industry where the average life span is from five to ten years.
In the case of Mario’s, it pays to be known for something. It has always been a preferred place for cozy meetings and romantic dates. We learned that they pay attention to nitty-gritty details like installing the right lighting, comfy nooks, and even a “back entrance” for personalities who want to stay away from the public eye.
Then of course, there’s the food. Even with the Wagyu craze around, Mario’s rep (reputation) as a place for mouth-watering steaks has stuck. I must say its Caesar’s Salad is one of the best in town, and will easily turn a carnivore into a vegetarian overnight. House bestsellers include Spanish specialties like paella, lengua and cochinillo (roast suckling pig).
The Paella Valenciana is a classic Spanish rice dish made more flavorful with seafood, veggies, chicken and chorizo. Mario’s serving (P595) is good for two to three persons.
The Callos a la Madrilena (P360) is a rich savory casserole made from ox tripe, sausages, garbanzos and other ingredients stewed in tomato sauce.
Because I wanted a little bit of everything, I ordered a new item on the menu, the Tuscany Platter (P595) THis had a trio of beef tenderloin, cajun prawn and pan-fried fish fillet. Rating: nomnomnom goodness!
…. but not without stuffing my plate first with the appetizers like Oysters Rockefeller, gambas and mushrooms with garlic.
What’s a Mario’s dinner without indulging in something like Steak a la Pobre? I think the Philippines is one of the few places in the world where you can find this kind of steak, which is “for garlic lovers only!”
For dessert, we had Mango Jubilee (P310) and the head waiter prepared it in front of us. Mango balls were flambeed in butter, brown sugar, and triple sec then topped over vanilla ice cream.
We were full and satiated. But what made this degustation memorable was meeting with new blogger friends and bonding with old ones.
That’s me with ‘Ambassador’ Ivan Henares, ‘Manila Mayor’ Spanky Enriquez, ‘ Little Miss Martha Stewart’ Toni and La Chica Feliz Stephie.
Thanks to Mr. Fil Benitez for hosting a wonderful evening filled with fun, food, and uhmm, flambeed mangoes. Wish you could open a branch near Manila soon 🙂
Mario’s Restaurants:
191 Tomas Morato Avenue
corner Scout Gandia Quezon City
Tel. Nos. 372 0360, 415 3887
Session Road, Baguio City
(074) 442 4241
@ annalyn?
you’re the one i met at pagcor right? the mom blogger? hehehe lol
i’d really love that mouth watering paella it’s been probably years i haven’t tasted it! darn.. i wish i had this somewhere in davao resto’s
Oo ako nga yun Iceman9 😀 nice to meetchu…
Am sure you have paella in Davao. Wait, I’ve heard of one. Hola Espana?
Thanks for the link! The Tuscany Platter looks delicious!
I’m droooooling at the Tuscany Platter. Glad to see you, Toni and Stephie in one photo (my plurk pals). =)
I can almost smell and taste that food from here, just looks so good…
Hi Annalyn, thank you for stopping by Emerald Sundays. I can’t seem to find your Emerald post.
If you can give me your specific link, I can correct it on Mr. Linky. Thanks!
meow annalyn, nice meeting u at the digital filipino event 🙂
Happy Birthday AJAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Wow! the foods are very enticing…Thank you for blogging about the place. Maybe I should ask hubby to take me there..hehehe
sarap nito ah!!1 wow!
Hi Ajay! Been passing this resto for YEARS! I think the last time I tried it was 10 years ago?! Hahaha!!
Ma-try nga!
Oct. 29, 2008
Hi Ms. Annalyn! Happy Birthday! More birthdays to come and I wish you all the luck! I am glad that I’ve met you and it’s my pleasure to be one of your online friend 🙂 God Bless you po! More Power~
Thank you for the birthday greetings Spanx and Sabrina 😛
@Didi, yeah, Mario’s has been there for as long as we can remember!
ooooh i’ll order the tuscany platter next time! twas great seeing you again ajay!
Ajay,
I remember a few years ago, at the back of SM Megamall, I believe the old St. Francis location, I had lunch there with my nieces and friends and I still remember it was MARIO’s RESTAURANT. I truly had a great time in that restaurant, whoever that cute handsome manager who was making jokes with us and myself, naloka ata indi na ako iniwan hahah. When i went back to Manila, I didn’t see anymore Mario’s Resto there. Alam mo ginawa namen? Eh di kumain sa McDo which is not right there at the corner. Hahaha!
im just wondering kung meron bng special offer d2 na prang mei ngplay ng violin while having lunch or maybe dinner?