Gadgets Philippines – July 2019

82 JULY 2019 http://www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Still, people always go back to their roots longing

for that comfort food that reminds them of home.

Who doesn’t miss the aroma of spices in the

kitchen? Who didn’t grow up with mom or dad

whipping up a sumptuous Sunday meal?

With fast-food joints burgeoning in urban areas,

finding something close to a home-cooked meal

can sometimes be futile.

This is exactly what Christine Reyes Dayco wanted

to address when she opened Casa Reyes Bistro

Filipino in 2006 with branches at Connecticut

Arcade and Promenade Mall in Greenhills.

“I want our customers to remember their heritage

and feel at home whenever they enter our

restaurant.” Dayco said.

Reyes wanted to give diners the feel of real Filipi-

no home adorning the restaurants’ interiors with

trinkets of antique decors. Items like rattan

baskets, wooden horse, and calesa greet the

guests at the entrance of the branch at

Promenade. These pieces of memorabilia alone

distinguish the Casa Reyes from other

ultra-modern restaurants along the strip.

Honoring the legacy of the Reyeses, the young

restaurateur placed black and white photographs

of matriarchs Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes and her

mother, Maria Lourdes Reyes.

“As someone who came from a family of cooks, I

was inspired to follow the path of my ancestors

and establish my own name.” Dayco said.

Finding her calling in continuing the family’s

legacy, Reyes honed her cooking skills by studying

abroad. She used the modern kitchen techniques

she learned into further improving the family’s

recipes putting fresh takes to appeal to the

young generation. Reyes is careful not to lose the

authentic Filipino flavor Casa Reyes is best known

for though.

Words by Jewel Sta. Ana

Photos by Chini Soriano and Jezeil Romero

FOOD

The local gastronomical scene is

inundated with dishes from other

cultures, which might explain why

the younger crowd developed an

extremely discriminating palate.

Restaurants from all over the

world, from fine dining to

fast-food, open branches in the

country in recognition of the

Filipinos’ appreciation of

good food.

Casa Reyes

Bistro Filipino

Serving timeless comfort food that reminds of home

Co-owner and general manager

Christine Reyes Dayco

The facade of the resturant also features

the artisanal Pinoy gelato cart