Love Generation: Dining options for Grandparents at the City of Firsts
Mano po, Lolo! Mano po, Lola!
If Araneta City had been a senior citizen, they would have most likely enjoyed telling classic stories of how it witnessed millions of Filipinos enjoying their first moments in every restaurant and attraction across the City of First in the past seven decades.
As we approach the final four months of the year, the 70-year-old city in the heart of Quezon City is bracing itself for the much-anticipated holiday season by bringing grandmas and grandpas to the best and laidback gastro choices that will make them reminisce about their good old days and soothing their tooth and live longer happily, ever after.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane to the following restos whose menus have a special place in the hearts and tummies of our dearest Lolos and Lolas for so many years:
Palenque
Upper Ground Floor B, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City
A tribute to Filipino cuisine, Palenque collectively unites the five gastropubs and various stores representing diverse communities comprising the entire country in one corner of a cosy shopping mall.
From the signature Pork Sisig by Nasi by Bale Dutung of Chef Claude Tayag to the Chicken Galantine by Chef Myke Tatung Sarthou’s Tindeli. From the juiciest empanadas by B.E.L. Iloco of Chef Al Purungganan to the Fried Oyster Cake by the Original Chicken Fandian of Chef Albert Uy to the Pianggang Manok by Chef Miguel Moreno of Palm Grill. Palenque is a perfect spot for every elderly folk longing enough to taste the best of their respective hometown they’ve been wanting to visit in their lifetime.
In addition, Palenque also hosts a souvenir shop featuring wooden goods, abaca-made essentials, flowers, and other items that are proudly Filipino. Organically grown fruits, native sweets, and sorbetes are also available in this section.
Tropical Hut
Ground Floor, Farmer’s Plaza, Araneta City, Quezon City
Approaching its diamond anniversary by 2025, Tropical Hut comes first to the minds of many Filipino senior citizens who witnessed the first wave of fast food chains during their time. What makes this brand distinctive is its menu, which offers appetizers, burgers, chicken, pasta and noodles, and sandwiches closer to the taste buds of locals across generations. Who cannot forget their iconic pineapple rings in the middle of their burgers, matched with their feel-good sandwiches wrapped with love and their one-of-a-kind macaroni salad?
But wait, there’s more! Download the Araneta City app, create an account, earn more points and aim for rewarding choices from Tropical Hut!
Classic Savory
Upper Ground Floor A, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City
At the heart of every Classic Savory branch is a chicken that tastes like we were all living in the 1950s – the exact decade when Araneta City was born. There is no doubt that the presence of this classically Filipino chain within the City of First brings something magical to every bite of their signature fried chicken recipe, shanghai rolls, chop suey, Savory Classic Lomi Soup, and many more. Fun fact: their Long-Life Pancit Canton suits everyone who wants to live longer like every Lolo and Lola.
Cafe Mary Grace
Upper Ground Floor A, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City
Level 1, Gateway Mall 1, Araneta City, Quezon City
Like every love story of our dearest grandparents, the sweetness in every bite of pastries from Cafe Mary Grace comes with a background of how Ms. Mary Grace Dimacali fell in love with the art of baking for her family until she had her first store in 2002 and expanded until it reached its gateway to confectionary success with its two branches at Gateway Mall 1 and 2.
The fusion of Filipino and Western cuisine at this resto is truly a match made in heaven.
Choi Garden
Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City
Close ties among family members, particularly the elderly ones, are some oriental traits that equate well with the authenticity of Cantonese cuisine brought by Choi Garden. A wide array of Dimsum and an iconic Peking Duck, paired with Yangchow Rice and Xiao Long Bao, await all grandparents looking for an exceptional spirit of the eastern recipe.
Grace Park by Margarita Fores
Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City
This concept restaurant by Asia’s Best Female Chef of 2016, Chef Margarita Araneta Fores, continues winning Filipino cuisine to an extraordinary level. She is also the same culinary master behind Cibo and seven other restaurant brands under her wing.
Grace Park takes pride in their very own Negros Organic Lechon, together with Yellow Camote, Kalinga Etag soup, Smoked Kesong Puti Sauce, Dark Chocolate Eton Mess, and other dishes that comprise its best fine cuisine. It also stands out for giving freedom to its diners where one can curate the salt level of the food or opt for a choice of rice variant – something every Lolo and Lola should look forward to.
The victory made by Chef Margarita by becoming the 2016 Asia’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants (William Reed) is one of the ingredients behind the dishes of Grace Park that will last for more generations to come.
Tim Ho Wan
Ground Floor (Al Fresco), Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City
A Michelin Star and award-winning International Restaurant from Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan takes pride in bringing its dim-sum favourites to the City of First. An exciting addition to the growing community of oriental choices in Araneta City, this restaurant fits well for grandparents craving well-curated steamed goods and noodles crafted to make diners live longer.
Mamou
Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City
Let your Lolo and Lolo feel the warmth at home in the comfort of Mamou, which offers a fusion recipe menu straight from its home kitchen. Strolling around the mall for hours could make them rest over the table of their prized signature platters like Lola Fam’s Pasta, Lorenzo’s Truffle Cream, Lobster Linguini, and many more.
Here is the exciting part: Lolos and Lolas, alongside people of all ages, are in for a treat as the Ground Floor of Gateway Mall 2 hosts a mini-dance party every night featuring the greatest and the latest hits played by the resident pianist.
Together with the rest of most establishments across the country, restaurants in Araneta City remain compliant with the existing 20% discount entitlement to all senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD) as reflected in the invoice or receipt issued. For assistance, the concierge and the personnel around Araneta City are glad to help the senior citizens wherever they want to navigate.
Head over to Araneta City this coming weekend and treat your beloved Lolo and Lola to an exciting surprise made by the City of Firsts to welcome National Grandparents Day – and even every day!
Follow the Araneta Rewards by liking its Facebook page and downloading the Araneta City app on Android and iOS to get a golden bunch of exclusive rewards and perks from the City of Firsts.
Salamat, Lolo! Salamat, Lola! Happy National Grandparents’ Day!
