Style Narratives: Now and Then

Monday, June 13, 2011

Now and Then

There are some good things you keep on coming back to. Last year, this author was saddened by the news that Cafe Adriatico or more commonly known as Cafe Ad in Malate, Manila burned down. The pillar through decades of Malate culture and nightlife was witness to countless fashion and lifestyle chronicles which has been part of history. Malate for a time was the scene to be seen and this establishment was the heart of it all--it was where it all began.
About three weeks ago, this author found out this institution is having a resurrection and was excited to drop by and check it out with friends. When we finally visited, the place seemed the same though there were minor changes. The walls were painted with a lighter shade of yellow with green highlights. There were new fixtures hanging on the wall with some memorabilia plus the lighting seemed a little brighter. Old world charm dominates the entire theme of the place with a lot of dark wood furniture and wood works. So decided to order the all time favorite spareribs adobo and savory taste of it was gloriously recalled by my palette that filled my craving apetite. Among the ones frequently ordered besties are the callos (tripe and chick peas in tomatto sauce) and lengua estofada (ox tongue) in mushroom sauce. For dessert is the popular Claude's Dream which is a concoction of vanillla ice cream, pandan gulaman and buko. Service was really good and this author was lucky to have bumped into one of their more senior waiters whom he's met more than a decade ago. How quickly time flies as I fondly recall a lot of chitchats, kwentos and dramas that has made this place so memorable in my life. There might have be slight changes but the food, ambience and service is still the same...some good things are made to last.