A Taste of the Philippines in the heart of Kensington Following its success in Manila, Romulo Café will open its doors to all of London’s food lovers on Thursday, 24th March 2016.
Amid surroundings both chic and casual, the 70 seater restaurant will offer a taste of the Philippines in the heart of Kensington, one of London’s key shopping and residential boroughs. Its interiors have been designed to evoke a private London home, with a few surprise touches.
London, known for its hip and groundbreaking food scene, will now be able to enjoy all the grace and verve of Manila’s ‘go to’ Romulo Café restaurants. In London, Romulo Café will offer many of the signature dishes of its sister restaurants in Manila – from appetizing bar food and main courses to share, to healthy options and desserts or ‘puddings’. The restaurant is divided into four separate dining areas: the General’s Bar, the Ambassador’s Lounge, the Diplomat’s Dining Room and the CPR Library, which can also be converted into a private dining space.
Romulo Cafe draws upon the family legacy of one of the Philippines’ foremost international statesmen – General Carlos P. Romulo and his wife, the late Virginia Llamas Romulo, who was the keeper of the family’s heirloom recipes. Romulo Café was first established in Manila in 2009 by their granddaughter Sandie Romulo Squillantini and her husband Enzo Squillantini where it has since expanded to three branches (with a fourth on its way).
Romulo Café’s first international outpost is owned by their other granddaughter, Rowena Romulo, a former senior banker, and will offer such popular signature dishes as Lola Virginia’s Chicken Relleno, Adobo Romulo Style and Tito Greg’s Kare. The kitchen is led by Chef Lorenzo Maderas, a graduate of Westminster Kingsway College whose parents are from the Philippines. He previously worked at Sushisamba and at the Kentish Hare overseen by the Tanner brothers.
Rowena Romulo said, ‘Opening a branch of Romulo Café in London means a lot to me and my family. My grandfather’s open and warm character enabled him to touch the lives of many people, across countries and cultures. If his currency was journalism and international diplomacy, my sister and I, our friends and cousins, have tried to touch lives through the medium of food.
‘I hope that Romulo Café in London will make a true statement, not just about how good Filipino food is, but about how we see ourselves as Filipinos. Wherever we are in the world, we hold our heads up high. Our restaurant is for all Filipinos and anyone who loves good food in London.’
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