I cannot remember the number of times I found refuge in this unassuming but cozy restaurant inside the department store I frequent – Cafe Via Mare in Landmark, Makati. I remember this nook from back when I was still in senior high school, college and when I started working in Herrera St. in Makati. I will always have fond memories of Cafe Via Mare where I would rest my tired feet (from going around the mall), met with friends, as I snack on my favorite Lumpia Ubod, Enseladang Suha at Labanos, Puto Bumbong, whichever I felt like eating during that time with my staple Sago drink.
Happy 40th birthday, Via Mare! 🙂
Cafe Via Mare is turning 40 right around the same time the hubby is. A day before to be exact. Via Mare was born in September 5, 1975, as a Seafood Fine Dining Restaurant. Believe it or not, my folks still think that it is still a fine dining restaurant to this day. My mom recently told us a story of having one of their wedding anniversaries celebrated in Via Mare.
Ensaladang Suha at Labanos (Pomelo-Radish Salad), P168
From starting out as a seafood specialty fine dining restaurant, Via Mare evolved to serving celebrated and well-loved Filipino cuisine. As opposed to other restaurants manner of serving fusion dishes, with a hundred and one variety of a single dish, Cafe Via Mare kept to their well-loved recipes that followers have constantly come back for. I have unknowingly done this over the years.
Rellenong Talong, P135
Another all time favorite recipe of Cafe Via Mare is their Rellenong Talong – broiled eggplant stuffed with sauteed ground pork and pan-fried beaten eggs. Now we can’t get more Filipino than Rellenong Talong. 🙂
Enseladang Bagnet, P195
Enseladang Bagnet is crispy roasted pork with mustard leaves, tomatoes, shallots in calamansi ang bagoong dressing.
Via Mare’s chef Glenda Barretto’s passion and her strong belief in the Filipino cuisine’s potential to be world class, pushed the restaurant to keep outdoing its achievements.
Laguna Cheese Pandesal, P155
In all my Cafe Via Mare going years, I have not once tasted this until my son introduced this to me in one of our shopping dates in Landmark. Our 10 year old is a big cheese muncher and from his first bite of this delightful bread treat, it has since become his favorite. Truth be told I haven’t appreciated native kesong puti before this. This has since become my son’s “pasalubong request.”
Salpicado, P430
Diced beef tenderloin  in spicy sauce.
“The past 40 years is not only the story of a restaurant, it is a story of the Filipino people,” Barretto said. “Via Mare is our pride as we helped a lot of Filipinos enjoy and be proud of the cuisine that we have here, of recipes that we have enjoyed throughout our childhood, and of what Filipino fine cuisine truly tastes like.”
Puto Maya
Legacy of Taste
Since Via Mare first opened its doors in 1975, it has consistently been the first choice for hosting dinners for dignitaries, heads of state, international celebrities, and international events. Via Mare hosted the following special and historical events in the country: the 1995 Miss Universe pageant in Manila, the papal visit of then Pope John Paul II, the 1996 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the gala of the Philippine-run of West End’s Miss Saigon, the 2007 ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the weddings of illustrious families, and other milestones in Philippine history.
The restaurant itself has changed over the past 40 years. While it maintained to be the premier Filipino restaurant, it branded itself according to the demands of its wide clientele. Café Via Mare was introduced to the market, dubbed to be a pioneer in introducing the first authentic Filipino café. The Via Mare Oyster Bar was also launched to cater to the more discriminating taste and specialized in serving the most succulent of oysters.
Bibingka with Laguna Cheese and Salted Duck Egg, P130
I honestly have yet to taste a more delightful Bibingka in all my bibingka-eating years. And that’s a long time! Â It’s the one thing we cannot leave Cafe Via Mare without ordering, whether its to eat in or for take-out.
During Via Mare dinner, we also had the privilege of meeting Sir Rosendo “Boy” Cano (the guy on the far left), one of the charter staff of Via Mare.  He started in Via Mare as a bus boy in 1975. He has since worked his way towards his current post, Operations Manager. At the beginning of this post, I mentioned that I frequent at the Landmark, Makati branch. From the time that I was a young teenager up to now, I see the same familiar faces. One of which is that of the tall guy, Larry, who seems to me is the head waiter in that branch. He is the same guy I’ve witnessed serve in that cafe from so many years ago. That alone tells a lot about the company a person is employed in.
Via Mare has become synonymous to the phrase, “of splendid cuisine and fond memories.” More than the cafes all over the metro, Via Mare is also known for its dynamic food offerings and has since continued being a frontrunner in the catering industry.
Photo op with other foodies and Via Mare’s General Manager Mr. Rany Rono.Â
Special thanks to Sir Rany, for accommodating all our many questions, for letting us in on the restaurant’s history, trivia and for the gastronomical treat. We truly enjoyed the dinner. 🙂
Delight in the well-loved Filipino flavors and savor your classic family favorites at Via Mare. For more information, visit www.viamare.com.ph and follow them on Facebook – ViamarePH.
