Whatever it's called, this bistro across Malacañan Palace (you get a good view from the 2nd floor function rooms) is worth another visit.
Being near the Presidential Palace can be both a blessing and a curse, but Casa Roces is certainly more than its location. You come here for the food and the ambience!
We chose good starters. The Choritos Balsamico may be your "ordinary sausages" but served with arugula and paired with Caesar's Salad with Crispy Lengua, they're the bomb! Yummmmmy.
I just love how the crispy lengua cubes adorned the salad like croutons. Such a great intro to the Entreé Lamb Caldereta and the 2 pasta dishes we ordered.
You can't go around "simple" pasta meals so much -- they're either good or mediocre. The Fettucini Blue Cheese with Roasted Mushrooms and the Prawns Thermidor Linguini were superbly done. Al dente with very subtle tastes.
But if you ask me the real "star" has got to be the Malacañan Soufflé. It should be good to savor this dessert in the corner room on the 2nd floor or by the window overlooking the Palace. Love its tangy lemon taste and the texture of the chopped pistachio nuts & merengue.
Have a look around the house. The Manila Times' Newspaper Boy bronze statue guards the entrance while Don Chino Roces seated bronze on a bench guards the driveway.