Dining at Mario’s restaurant is always a treat. I already know what to order when the name comes up — Caesar’s salad, steak. Classic Mario’s dishes. During an intimate bloggers’ gathering at the restaurant’s Tomas Morato branch, that’s exactly what I ordered! 😛 It was an evening of good food and good company.
Oh-wow! Oysters Rockefeller
I’ve always thought of Mario’s as a very formal restaurant. It is also very old. It’s been around for more than 25 years! Practice makes perfect I guess because their food is always spot on, like these Oysters Rockefeller. Omnomnom oysters.
Classic Mario’s Caesar’s Salad
I found it so interesting that owner Fil Benitez aims to inject a more hip and youthful vibe to the restaurant, without losing out on its Baguio roots. His term is “Hip Cordillera.” So while the restaurant kept its trademark dark wood Baguio accents, the walls and windows were brightened up, making the place look even more inviting.
Perfectly medium well Steak Ala Pobre
My steak was delicious. Now I also would’ve loved to have tried the Chilean Sea Bass! It was new to the menu, as Mario’s also wants to jazz up their offerings with light, healthy dishes. Next time then! 😉 I didn’t get to taste the Paella in the picture, but doesn’t it look so flavorful?
Paella Perfection
Fil shared that they plan to put up a garden cafe within the restaurant too. I LOVE the idea. Of all the changes being planned for Mario’s, that’s the one I’m most eagerly looking forward to. I can already imagine hanging out there with my husband as we feast on dessert.
Fantabulous Flambe Delight
The food was very good, and oooh, the night was made even better with a flambe. Yes. Everything gets better when there’s an awesome flambe.
Marvelous Mango Jubilee
Melt in your mouth mangoes and cream. I would’ve gone for another serving. Totally. 😛 After dinner, there was a little getting-to-know-you portion. It was fun meeting new bloggers! Here are some of the bloggers from that wonderful evening:
I’ve been wanting to meet these two for a long time! Spanky and I have been blogfriends for a long time now, and Stephie recently. We’re a trio of kakulitan (silly-ness?) at Plurk. They’re two of my favorite Plurkers.
Bloggirls! That’s Kaoko of Kitchen Cow, Ajay of Writings on the Wall, myself and Lorna of The Bachelor Girl.
Weee! I met Liv at last, and her husband Ruy from A Taste of (Married) Life. They’re both so cute and sweet! I’m looking forward to hanging out with them again soon.
Thanks to Mr. Fil Benitez for inviting us! I’m super looking forward to hanging out at that garden cafe and getting a taste of that Chilean Sea Bass. Mmmm! 
Mario’s has a branch along Tomas Morato, Quezon City (372-0360 /415-3887). They also have an awesome Sunday Lunch Buffet (P535.00++ adults / P405.00++ kids) which includes roast beef, cochinillo, turkey, sushi, pasta, paella, desserts and a chocolate fountain.
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Anne
October 30, 2008 at 5:26 pm (16 years ago)WOW!
those food look YUMMY! Thanks for posting this.
I will definitely have to try this place out on my stay in Manila this coming March.
Anymore places you had great experiences?
Thanks Again!
Annes last blog post..Smile its contagious
dhey
October 30, 2008 at 6:50 pm (16 years ago)is there a ‘how to get there’ map? 😀 i’m terrible with directions! i’m so~ going there (when i have the date who wants to go there)! 😛 ahaha… the paella just looks irresistible!
dheys last blog post..redefining filipino food
Lissa
October 31, 2008 at 12:00 am (16 years ago)toni, kakagutom naman ‘tong entry mo. I love your glasses!! It suits you. 😀
witsandnuts
October 31, 2008 at 2:29 am (16 years ago)Yummmmeeeeeee! Glad to see you, Ajay and Stephie (plurkmates). =)
m
October 31, 2008 at 5:13 am (16 years ago)the oysters look heavenly!
Ivan
October 31, 2008 at 10:25 am (16 years ago)Hi Toni! Nice meeting you there! I’m so delayed with my blog, so may things have been happening. Can I snatch our group photo? 😛
Ivans last blog post..Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand
K
October 31, 2008 at 3:39 pm (16 years ago)That paella is so tempting. I heard only the “tagalogs” can cook real paellas?
bem
October 31, 2008 at 8:53 pm (16 years ago)mario’s caesar salad – the BEST!
bems last blog post..super jumbo
Rach (Heart of Rachel)
October 31, 2008 at 11:48 pm (16 years ago)Glad you had a wonderful time meeting blog friends.
Food looks great. I’m craving for some paella right now.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)s last blog post..Aloha Friday #47
Stephie
November 1, 2008 at 10:37 pm (16 years ago)Hi Toni!
Is it okay if I post our pic on my Mario’s entry?
Stephies last blog post..Guitar Hero World Tour Commercial
julie
November 2, 2008 at 10:10 am (16 years ago)Wow, all those food look yummy. The oysters! Now why am I suddenly thinking about these?
odette
November 3, 2008 at 3:01 pm (16 years ago)wowee, food feast again!
it looks so much fun toni!
odettes last blog post..the knitting and stitching show
Eper
November 5, 2008 at 10:02 pm (16 years ago)I am salivating and that’s not a good thing as it is past 10 in the evening and this could lead to binge eating…
Epers last blog post..I Want to be an American
ree
November 27, 2008 at 8:00 pm (15 years ago)i love mario’s! growing up, it was such a treat. i remember my mom would save up and we’d eat at mario’s so she could teach us fine dining etiquette. and when i got my first summer job (before the fifth grade–peeling potatoes in a french fry factory!) i treated my mom to mario’s with my first paycheck! well maybe my first two ;p we always had special celebrations there. and the waiters knew us already (one of the joys of growing up in baguio). i love how they’d prepare the ceasar salad in front of us…i love their steaks. and the desserts! growing up, i always promised myself that i’d have marios cater my wedding or whatever milestone…we had raine’s first birthday and dedication in mario’s kitchen, tiendesitas
i love mario’s.
rees last blog post..And So It Begins