Dinner at CASA ROCES Malacanang

CASA ROCES at Malacanang

The boyfriend and I recently had dinner at Casa Roces. I’ve been wanting to check this restaurant out since I saw a photo of their Frozen Souffle from @mytummycraves Instagram Account.

It wasn’t too difficult to find. The place is right across Malacañang. What was difficult to find though was parking space because we went there pretty late but thank goodness they have valet.

The first thing I noticed was the interior of the place. It was very cozy and charming. Casa Roces used to be a house for the prominent Roces family until they decided to turn it to a restaurant. There is really something about old houses that makes you feel warm and welcome (unless of course house in question is abandoned, unlit, filled with cobwebs… you get the picture). Every decoration was well-placed to highlight the historic value of the house and really make you feel at home.

at the lobby (too bad  I wasn't able to take a photo from outside)

Next, I noticed was how difficult it was to get a waiter to notice you. But once they decide to attend to you, they’re actually pretty nice and accommodating.

I first tried out their Onion Soup Gratinée (Php140). The serving was pretty small for my appetite. I like my onion soup with lots of cheese on top but Casa Roces’ version was topped with this crouton already soaked in it.

For dinner, I had the Lenguado Meuniere a la Beurre Noisette (Php240) described as Pan-fried sole fillets with butter, fresh dill and capers. I thought it was pretty good and went well with the mashed potato. I couldn’t, for the life of me, taste the green liquid around it but it makes for great presentation.

Jeff had the Oven-Baked Salmon Wellington(Php460). We both love salmon so we were very excited for this dish. We were disappointed to find out it was rather dry.

The Pinakbet with Vigan Bagnet(Php210) would have been great if the Ampalaya wasn’t so bitter and cut out so big.

I couldn’t wait for dessert because I had a good feeling that the Malacanang Frozen Souffle(Php415) would more than make up for our disappointment in our previous dishes. And I was right! I loved every bite of it.

After dinner, we explored the house a bit. We found out that the second floor was dedicated to rooms you can rent if you wish to hold private affairs or parties at Casa Roces. Again, the interior of the place is just charming and cozy. The music they played really added to the ambience too that we couldn’t help but slow dance in the middle of the second floor sala.

I want this couch. 

Honestly I enjoyed the place more than the food. I’ll probably come back to give their other dishes a chance. The guy beside us looked like he was enjoying his lengua. Maybe we'll get that next time.

Casa Roces is located at 1153 JP Laurel cor Aguado St. San Miguel, Manila, Aguado St, San Miguel, Manila, Metro Manila.

Website: http://www.casaroces.com/

Contact no: (02) 735 5896

*I just realized I've been raving about its interiors so much but I've no photo to show. I'll post some when I go back there.

Have you tried this restaurant or would you like to try it some time? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

TOTAL INTENSITY by Prestige REVIEW

TOTAL INTENSITY by Prestige

                This is one product all beauty pageant candidates can swear by. The TOTAL INTENSITY by Prestige eyeliner is one of the best (if not the best) eyeliner pencil out there in the market.

                I have only ever used the Deepest Black shade but according the prestige cosmetics website, the TOTAL INTENSITY line offers more shades like Bold Brown, Daring Green, Fierce Blue, Powerful Purple, Fearless Teal, Strong Slate, Lively Turquoise and Outrageous Emerald. I’ve seen a couple of these at BeautyBar stores but I’m not sure if all of these shades are available in the Philippines.

                Prestige was not kidding when they called this INTENSE. This eyeliner does not skimp on color and pigment which is maybe why it is so easy to finish one of these 6-inch pencils. What’s great about it though is that it doesn’t smudge easily (No to accidental panda eyes!) unless you rub it hard intentionally.

(Swiped the product on my hand. No filter)

                

                You can use it directly like a pencil for that really deep dark line or you can use a fine-tipped eyeliner brush so you can build on the product. 

                It does get a little softer than you'd like it to be sometimes. The trick is to put it in the freezer for a minute before you use it. The tip of the pencil will be a lot sturdier but it will not be any less pigmented.
                 
                 If you want to use this with a liner brush, you can warm the tip of the pencil using a lighter. Hover the tip of the pencil over the fire for one second and get some of the product on the eyeliner brush carefully. Notice how its consistency becomes similar to gel type liners.

              
                I usually use this eyeliner to fill in my upper lash line. This creates an illusion of thicker lashes. Light swipes in between the lashes will do the trick. In this photo, however, I used a eyeliner brush to create this terrible excuse for a cat-eye. I think I'll get creative and try out the other colors from their line soon. 

  

                One pencil costs around the middle range at Php350. There are a lot of cheaper products out there but I think this one with all it's intensity and versatility is worth every cent. And if you are planning to get one of these babies, better go to your nearest BeautyBar branch ASAP because they disappear from the shelves like magic. As of now, the Prestige brand in the Philippines is only available at BeautyBar stores. 

*Share your thoughts by commenting below. What do you think about the Total Instensity by Prestige Pencil Eyeliner? 

About Hanna Ledesma

Hanna is a 22 year old stylist wannabe who harbors a great love for food, dogs and ice cream. She graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor's Degree in Management Information Systems specializing in Business Intelligence.

She has appeared on print ads, tv, films and beauty pageants including Binibining Pilipinas (Ms. Philippines) 2014.

Just recently, she has finally decided that she will get out of her shell and explore the world to experience all the beautiful things it can offer. Life is too wonderful to limit yourself with only what your eyes can see. This blog will serve as a documentation of what Hanna has been up to as well as her thoughts on food, travels, style and beauty.