You just know you belong to a past generation called the baby boomers (post World War II) if you remember Casa Marcos. This resto – located in Gilmore, and then Tomas Morato – flourished at a time when today’s modern fusion restos weren’t even conceived yet. Because the original owner was Spanish ( a pelotari named Marcos de Guisasola), it was famous for traditional Spanish favorites like paella, gambas, the original pugon-baked pan de sal and of course its steaks.
It’s been more than 60 years and there is now a Casa Marcos ran by the second generation of owners at the bustling Burgos Circle in the Fort, Bonifacio Global City. The resto has been existing in this location for a year now, quite commendable for this area’s high turnover of tenants. The young owners Kevin Khoe & Jigger Galvez tell me that their customers are old regulars of Casa Marcos who are now bringing their children and grandchildren to the place.
It’s safe to say that the small two-storey resto will be packed with diners this Valentine’s Day. And that many will be ordering the perfectly-seared house specialty steak a la pobre. How many marriage proposals have been made with this piece of steak as celebratory food? probably countless. And at only P495, life’s great pleasure shouldn’t be too expensive.
The fried kalderetang usa (P475) was a welcome treat as it was tender and flavorful. Most of all, it gave me an insight on a different way of cooking this favorite dish of mine. The good thing with Casa Marcos, you are introduced to the realm of the exotic. There’s also adobong frog legs, tapang baboy damo (wild boar) and pugo or native quail cooked adobo-style.
Next picture: kaldereta baka (P320) as we know it. And of course it was good!
One of the house specialties – the almejas or baked clams (P230) with garlic and cheese was quite addicting. I agreed with my dinner mates that it was the ultimate bar chow. You will surely have a fun time nibbling on the clam bits.
Their gambas (P275) consisting of meaty shrimps tossed in its own sauce was spicy with a capital S and this is what I remember about this dish. It made me wish I was holding a good bottle of beer to go with this (and btw, they have a buy 1 take 1 promo during their happy hour) In the background is their signature Marcos sauce which magically goes well with every dish on the menu.
The complimentary pan de sal was the cutest I’ve seen, and they’re smaller in real life 
They’re given to diners (with butter!) before the start of the meal. It’s a nice touch, but then again, Casa Marcos has always been known for their soft yet crunchy pan de sal.
And while we’re at it, don’t forget to try the house’s pan de sal ice cream. It’s a bit heavy for a meal-ender all right, but this sweet thing just made my Casa Marcos dinner memorable. Pan de sal dipped in egg French toast style, topped with syrup and then sandwiched with indulgent vanilla ice cream… what more can I ask for? Coffee please!
Casa Marcos
Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Call 5523781 for reservations
Operating hours:
11 am to 3 pm; 6 to 10 pm
Restobar: 6 pm to 1 am