HOSTING the Christmas family reunion and celebration this year and worrying about all the food that you have to prepare? Thinking about that potluck party you’re attending and what dish you’ll bring to impress your former classmates? Planning to give edible gifts to clients but not wanting to enslave yourself in the kitchen?
No need to do the cooking—or baking!—yourself. Chef Laudico Guevarra’s, that awesome buffet restaurant in San Juan City housed in a 1920s heritage house with a sprawling lawn, has just launched its Guevarra’s Handaan Kahit Saan. While the restaurant, with its impressive 80-item buffet of classic and modern Filipino dishes by the husband-and-wife team of Chefs Roland and Jac Laudico, has become a favorite venue for birthdays, weddings, baptisms and other celebrations, now everyone can enjoy Guevarra’s food in the comfort of his (or her) own homes or anywhere. Just order party trays of Guevarra’s favorites, and arrange pick-up or delivery.
Guevarra’s Handaan Kahit Saan, which makes it possible for people to assemble their own mini Guevarra’s buffets, includes mainstays of the restaurant buffet. Top picks are Lechon that’s charcoal spit-roasted to perfection, Pugon-roasted Pork Bellychon, and Pugon-roasted U.S. Angus Beef Shortplate. Top beef favorites, all made with U.S. Angus Beef, are Kare-kare, Kaldereta and Grilled Beef Tapa. When it comes to chicken, the best options are Tamarind and Lemongrass-spiced Roast Chicken Sinampalukan (best served with Kamote Salad) and Fried Chicken Adobo. Among noodles and pasta, the best-sellers are Pansit Bihon Guisado, Pansit Canton Guisado, Palabok, and Party Spaghetti. Most of these come in two sizes, servings good for 12 to 15 and for 6 to 8 persons.
“These are the items that are most requested. We get complaints when they’re not available,” says Chef Jac who, as the pastry chef, takes care of all the desserts, while Chef Roland, better known as Chef Lau, handles the savory items.
At Guevarra’s, food is prepared from scratch, the way Chef Lau’s food was prepared while he was growing up. “I still remember our family Sunday brunches. We didn’t rely on convenience products or instant stuff and part of the enjoyment was in the preparation. It took a lot of time and effort but it was worth it since the food was absolutely delicious. That’s the same dedication that I instill in my kitchen staff, to do everything the long and traditional way, the way our lolas and lolos cooked, but with my own signature style,” says Chef Lau.
Dessert, meanwhile, comes in the form of Strawberry Shortcake, Brazo de Calamansi, Mocha Cake, and Brigaderos, in which Chef Jac combines the old and the new. Other interesting sweet treats include Butterscotch, Crinkles, Brigaderos Balls (yema and dark chocolate truffles), Kalabasa Pastillas Balls (milk candies lightened with squash), Maja Blanca, and Cassava Cake Flan.
Beyond Christmas, Guevarra’s Handaan Kahit Saan party trays can also be relied upon for everyday meals or sudden get-togethers, as it will now become a part of Guevarra’s regular menu.
(Chef Laudico Guevarra’s is located at 387 P. Guevarra corner Argonne St., Addition Hills, San Juan; with telephone numbers (02) 8705-1811, (02) 87051874 and (0917) 3112222.)
