Warming up memories with conversation pieces
When Ricardo Hernandez decided to convert a portion of his family garden GR Farms into a restaurant following a clamor from his farm patrons, it happened around the time that his son, Raffy, was also contemplating putting up a café
When people get together to reunite, what could be better than doing it over great meals, rounds of drinks, art and garden pieces and special events? There is something about all of these that encourage endless conversations among families and friends. Ricardo’s Coffee + Classic Cuisine located at C.M. Delos Reyes Highway in Barangay Dagatan, Amadeo, Cavite, features all these in one homey restaurant.
The town of Amadeo is known for various festivals and thanksgiving, including the Pahimis Festival, being the coffee capital of the Philippines. Amadeo can be your next bet to Tagaytay when you want an easy escape from the city, being just 48 kilometers from Manila.
When Ricardo Hernandez decided to convert a portion of his family garden GR Farms into a restaurant following a clamor from his farm patrons, it happened at around the time his son, Raffy, was also contemplating putting up a café. Soft opening in November 2018, Ricardo’s is a result of a fatherand-son tandem, fusing Ricardo’s intuitive experience, being a member of a big family (both maternal and paternal sides) and Raffy’s research-based marketing plan.
Bringing along experienced chefs who carefully plan each meal, drink and bakery offerings, Ricardo’s is keen in delighting a wide repertoire of diners who come in groups, such as families, colleagues, friends, cyclers and riders. Soon, the establishment decided to serve international and Scandanavian cuisines for mainstays.
They may even be willing to close the place just for your event. Of course, it helps to give them a call for reservations a few days before.
While the place has ample parking spaces, a growing crowd is anticipated especially with the recent events that are taking place at Ricardo’s such as the creation of a mural for Ricardo’s and portraitures by Rico Aunzo (better known as “Pedrong Masipag”) last May 2019.
The restaurant looks intentionally like a restored house, and carries a vibe that makes you want to bring family or close friends since the overall ambience leans on the warm and casual side of class.
For those who fantasize about the good ol’ days, there’s a collection of antiques and here, the gramophone still plays to complete your nostalgia — if tracking back your memory lane goes that far.
“The place is still a work in progress,” says Ricardo, who is clearly unstoppable at improving the place further.
A welcoming ambiance, Dream Cake, French macarons and farm-to-table salads from their own backyard garden are traffic drivers. And before you think it’s just coffee they serve, dare to try some of its drinks with a twist like the strawberry vanilla with white chocolate and the rootbeer mocha. At the time of this writing, wine pairing tests are also in the works.
As beautifully decorated meals have become increasingly common, another winning feature is the wide array of delectable desserts, pastries and artisan breads, such as pandesal with charcoal, pumpernickel and sourdough breads. “We never expected that two of our bestselling pastries would be in demand and loved by many,” Raffy proudly shares about the Dream Cake and French macarons in his social media account. Can you imagine indulging in five layers of chocolate: sponge at the bottom, chocolate cake, ganache that glazes the cake, fudge, then topcoat with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings? “I guess the series of formulation and survey we did in the past to perfect the taste, texture, etc. have been effective,” he said.
With word spreading fast, Ricardo’s has been accepting orders through Facebook Messenger and also joins seasonal food bazaars. A caveat though when you’re there is to make sure you don’t have further appointment afterwards, because what starts as lunch most often slides down to mid-afternoon merienda with so many choices suiting every palate of the young and young at heart. That’s why the restaurant cleverly complements it with a bakeshop.
You leave the restaurant without feeling ripped off since the pricing is set to spell value for money.
Catch father and son welcoming you and even gladly taking your family photo as you dine in Ricardo’s.
Denice Christine Garcia-Pilla considers writing as the seat of her creative passion whenever her hands can take a break from other undertakings of a mom, wife and market research professional. She has extensive published credits in business, lifestyle and human interest issues and her works have appeared in various print and online publications.
The restaurant looks intentionally like a restored house, and carries a vibe that makes you want to bring family or close friends since the overall ambience leans on the warm and casual side of class.