(update) Euro Kitchen, still the “hangout” of Gensan’s rich and famous
Note: This was written more than two years ago but we are reposting it for the benefit of those who haven’t tried it and are missing so much!
GenSan’s rich are quite the finicky kind. They have so much money to spend and yet when it comes to entertainment, they hardly spend it in the city.
An example would be their alarming disregard for most of the local fine dining establishments in the city. A reason for this is their tendency to compare them with those from the metro cities. A few which have passed muster like Ranchero Grill, Sud-an, Big Chow (formerly South Park) and the newer Grab-A-Crab are more like the exceptions, so that when I heard about this small steak house which seems to be packing all my “affluent” friends in, I was quite surprised.
Named Euro Kitchen and established 3 months ago by the brother and sister team of Karl and Mae Macaraeg (of the famous Macaraeg Caterers) and her expat hubby Henrik Stork, this new diner occupies one 4×5 sqm stall at the Tiongson Street side of the Tiongson Arcade (the one with the statue of the Virgin Mary).
The place still has no visible signboard to identify it except for a small hanging tarpauline banner which does not even face the road (!). In fact, you could mistake Euro Kitchen as just one of the ubiquitous barbecue and native food eateries in this famous landmark of Lagao.
EK (as I will call it) shares a a common open dining area in the center of the triangle with 10 other eateries in the arcade. It could have been the last place on earth to serve steaks at this setting, but hey, their growing clientele do not seem to mind. So everyday, it’s always full house (EK only has 5 tables under their roofed dining area) and the spill-over would have to dine al fresco at the common triangle courtyard.
As simple as it may be, the place has quite a character in its propensity for deco art. Instead of plastic, they use iron-wrought chairs. Their walls made of weaved local material contain framed european-inspired artwork and whatchamacalits. A good number of imported red and white wine brands also adorn another wall. The subdued lighting is courtesy of two art deco lamps hanging from the ceiling. The understated interiors make it charming, to say the least.
The first time I was there, the inner tables have been reserved and so we had to occupy the ones outside the common triangle courtyard. Immediately we were served fried peanuts together with the menu.
I had to try the t-bone steak and at that time, only the P360 size was available. The attentive waiter who took our order also enumerated the other things on the menu but we preferred to focus on the steak.
While waiting for our dinner, I tried to find out who the other diners were and realized that these were the people who would normally not be caught eating in such a humble bohemian setting. I noticed car dealer J and his family about to leave, while former councilor M with his wife, their daughter and her foreigner husband were just coming in. At the table behind us were a group of 2nd generation Chinoys attacking their steaks with gusto.
I also observed that owners Karl and May (when they’re not busy cooking at their kitchen) spend their free time mingling with these clients, making some small pleasurable talk, inquiring about the food and asking for suggestions. I made a mental note of that.
Eventually, our food were brought in by our waiter, each super large steak served in a really big plate which also contains vegetable sidings , pink rice (i swear!), and two slivers of butter. The mashed potato came in later.
I did not pour any sauce or gravy on my 500-gram behemoth steak wanting to sample my first bite as is. Then I started cutting. It was soft and tender and cooked rare as I wanted it. May’s marinade had just the right mix to it, not too salty, not too sweet that it doesn’t need to be, er “worchestershired”.
Despite its size, I finished my steak in no time at all together with the house salad of lettuce, tomato and onions and the chefs’ own version of the mashed potato which could have used less of the onions on it. Nevertheless, that one too disappeared inside my tummy even faster than the salad.
Seeing that we were finished, Karl served us their homemade “biko” (sweetened sticky rice), cooked with bits of langka (jackfruit) which was pure heavenly delight even for people who have sworn off sugar in their diets like me. It was individually wrapped in styro and could be bought separately. (Update: The biko is a creation of their caterer mom, Nene Macaraeg.)
We would have wanted to stay longer but more people were coming in, in small groups, mostly families. We decided to leave but not after congratulating Karl and May for their new venture.
On our way home, my companions and I decided that their steaks though excellent as they are, is actually only a secondary reason on why Gensan’s creme dela creme keep coming back.
The real reason behind their immediate success is actually Karl and May’s own brand of quality service, their personal touch of making each visitor count, treating everyone like royalty.
These, I believe are things no amount of condiments, spices or secret sauces can ever duplicate.
Euro Kitchen may be contacted at telephone #s 304-9209. I suggest you call them first for reservations to be assured of a table. Tell them Bariles sent you and earn free sidings.
(Thanks to our dinner sponsors Architect Cecille and Fish Trader Beck. Mwah! I love you girls.)
NOTE: EURO KITCHEN has since transferred to a bigger location about 15 meters away. This time it can seat about 50 people, more or less. The food is still great though and they have additional menu. Try out Mae’s heavenly TACO PLATTER and crispy FRESH GARDEN SALAD with her own vinaigrette!!! They’re to die for!
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Bariles is a Filipino word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
ayo gunting Says:
Great to see Gensan has this kind of cool hang out venue.
I would love to experience the place and write it to Manila Bulletin and Inquirer.
Ayo Gunting
Publicist
09158662424
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 5:25 AM
Dominique Says:
Er, I think you may be using “hoi polloi” in the wrong way.
“Hoi polloi” means “masa” (and often used in condescending manner.) It contradicts your opening paragraphs.
Dominiques last blog post..08.08.08
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 6:49 AM
gensanite Says:
nice post, TUNA MAN…
libre mo ako diyan when i get home…
cheers!!!
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 11:16 AM
NeilM - an Englishman in Gensan, masayang masaya sa GSC Says:
Wow, sounds like a great place to eat.
Steamed rice, sticky rice, but now pink rice !
How do they make it pink ? Trace secret ? Was it nice ?
“Euro Kitchen” ? I love Pinoy food, but that’s got me thinking about my favourite European dishes …. a good spanish paella or gazpacho ( cold tomato soup but MASARAP ! ), a Hungarian Goulash, a German Schwienbein ( boiled leg of baboy) with sauerkrout, a Greek taramasalada or even “good old”, British Fish ‘n’ Chips.
Will definitely try it soon
NeilM
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 PM
bariles Says:
Hi Ayo! Welcome to Bariles Republic! That would be a great idea! When are you coming over for the Tuna fest? Will take you there.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 3:16 PM
bariles Says:
Hello Dom! oops! I goofed! Thanks for telling me. I changed it na lang. Hehehe!
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 3:17 PM
bariles Says:
Ikaw ha? Puro ka palibre? Eh kailan ka naman manglilibre?
Sumbong kita ke Rachel and Rob and Manong Bonnie, ikaw rin….
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 3:19 PM
bariles Says:
Hi NeilM. I also adore European foods. It’s just too bad that they’re not that common here as in the big cities. But now that Euro Kitchen is here, we could suggest that they add more euro dishes to their menu. What do you think Karl? May?
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 3:21 PM
gensanite Says:
@bariles –
hahaha… after mo ako ilibre, ilbre din kita… para fair… nag-e-mail kami ni BOSS RACHEL kanina… BOSS ROB’s coming home daw on october… puwede ba tayong mag-reunion?
just a thought…
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Jasper Says:
naglaway ako sa kuwento mo Mr. Bariles ha…hehehe pero na-intrigue lang ako sa “pink rice” meron ba talaga non? Papanong ginawa nila?…hmmmm….pero nga as you have said regarding the way they treat each and every diners ay parang mako-convince akong i-try ang resto nila one of these days. I admire their humble beginning.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 10:11 PM
ache Says:
Ache! manyaman ya! pamangan talaga ang ating weakness! Aru Joss koh!
Mangan tamu ken. Sama natin si armie
Posted on August 11th, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Dave Says:
ganda ng mga post, ngayon ko lng nlmn to ah hehe visit my blog sometime http://www.jddotnet.blogspot.com baguhan pa lng ako, HAPPY TUNA FEST!
Posted on August 12th, 2008 at 12:51 AM
orman Says:
hindi ko talaga sya mahanap kung san ang euro kitchen na ito.
Posted on August 12th, 2008 at 5:03 AM
toyski Says:
will be home sometime soon.. will definitely give it a try…
toyskis last blog post..A Hundred Things to Share
Posted on August 12th, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Nate Marx Says:
Glad to see that Gensan is now into fine Dining and as I could see it mas maganda na ung customer relation ngayon like courtesy sa mga restaurants compared before. I just wish i-apply din yan ng mga malls dito…
Nate Marxs last blog post..Marketing Mentalism in Gensan
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 1:46 AM
tnay Says:
mr. author, i really like to go to that place…. can you treat me? hehehe… plz…. im begging… i love eating steak…hmmmmm
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 5:25 PM
bariles Says:
That’s a great idea! Why not? How about ethel? Is she coming home for the tunafest?
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 7:31 PM
bariles Says:
Look at the picture. It’s really pink. Sometimes, it’s blue. The 2nd time I was there, it was blue. Try them out! You won’t regret it.
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 7:34 PM
bariles Says:
Manyaman! Nucaren na ang poster ni Richard Poon ache?
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 7:36 PM
bariles Says:
It’s one of the stalls on the left side of the arcade coming from the Lagao gym.
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 7:37 PM
bariles Says:
TOYSKI!!!! Finally, you made it here! How are you? Once you’re back home, treat mo kami dito ni brother ha? See you soon. Subsribed ka na ba? hehehe! :0
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 7:40 PM
bariles Says:
Hi Nate! Customer relations should come first and I agree that all the mall restaurants must practice this. Thanks for responding nate.
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 7:42 PM
toyski Says:
@bariles –
Anytime! May utang pa ako kay sir orms libre e
toyskis last blog post..A Hundred Things to Share
Posted on August 13th, 2008 at 10:18 PM
gensanite Says:
@bariles –
not sure… i haven’t seen her for months now… cebu’s a big place…
Posted on August 14th, 2008 at 10:15 AM
orman Says:
sobrang tagal na utang na yan, toyski…
Posted on August 14th, 2008 at 1:16 PM
orman Says:
hmmmm…. nate manage your expectations lang ha… kasi hindi ito fine dining restaurant. although tama lang na maging happy tayo na marami nang nagsusulputang resto around the city lately…
ormans last blog post..Updates to playlist: India Pix
Posted on August 14th, 2008 at 1:19 PM
toyski Says:
What I so miss are Chicken House’s (along Magsaysay Ave) garlic chicken and Joan’s (along Acharon Blvd) Palabok and siopao… Nothing like those here
toyskis last blog post..A Hundred Things to Share
Posted on August 15th, 2008 at 4:46 AM
gensanite Says:
@toyski –
hello, TOYSKI…
last time i went home (kalilangan festival – february), chicken haus is already at south osmeña… lami japon ilang garlic chicken… medyo dugay lang ang service… may be because daghan gyud ang naga-order kay best-seller kaayo… i suggest that you order in advance/place a reservation for 1 whole garlic chicken (take-out), then sa balay na lang mag-eat… that’s what we do to avoid the long queue… haven’t found any garlic chicken here in cebu that is as good as chicken haus’…
da best gyud ang siopao sa jo-ann’s… lami pud sa capitol/bayfront sa may acharon boulevard japon… dagko ang ilang siopao… hehehe… i haven’t tasted any siopao as good as those here in cebu…
food trip ta ani pag uli sa ‘diangas… hehehe…
cheers!!!
Posted on August 15th, 2008 at 8:54 AM
orman Says:
toyski… here are my choices for:
best palabok – jollibee hiway beats them all. with the right mix of patis and kalamansi — ito so far ang pinaka masarap sakin…
best siopao – okay naman ang joann siopao pero right now, the “poor-man’s” siopao and by far sarap to the max is the siopao of BAYFRONT restaurant. hehehee… alam kong maraming magtataas ng kilay dyan but ang sarap talaga ng dough nila ang ang laman… grrrr… nakakagutom isipin… try nyo gud!
Posted on August 15th, 2008 at 12:03 PM
gensanite Says:
@orman –
dagko pa gyud ang siopao sa bayfront…
mag-foodtrip galore gyud ko pag-uli nako…
Posted on August 15th, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Francis Says:
RICH AND FAMOUS? Better than our regular steak house? would love to go there….when are u going to treat me? eheheheheheehe
Posted on August 15th, 2008 at 3:44 PM
blackmeat Says:
… siopao bola-bola or asado? Ahehe!
Posted on August 15th, 2008 at 5:35 PM
georgie boy Says:
NICE TO HEAR ANOTHER EURO RESTO OPENING IN GENSAN HMMMMM. CAN’T WAIT TO GO HOME CONGRATS TO BROD.KARL AND MAE!!! I WILL TREAT YOU AS SOON AS I ARRIVE KUYA AVEL HEHEHEHE!!
Posted on August 15th, 2008 at 8:32 PM
toyski Says:
A single mention of “palabok” calls to mind Jo-Ann’s Palabok. For me, it’s still second to none. I tried palabok of JBee, Red Ribbon.. No match.. A matter of taste…
toyskis last blog post..A Hundred Things to Share
Posted on August 16th, 2008 at 2:18 AM
Samara Says:
Euro Kitchen?? I was expecting one classy restaurant with classy architecture/design and interior. I wish you had more pictures of EK … na-curious talaga ako, and why, only 5 tables? An liit noHhh. That was quite an experience, sir Avel. Makes me want to go and see the place for myself.. Hehehe.
Btw, mukhang bahay-kubo ung interior nya. Pati rin po ba sa labas? Who would expect they serve European Dishes.. Well, of course, EK pngalan nila diba. Pero knowing the name only, who would also expect that diners will be eating in a bahay-kubo. XDD
Samaras last blog post..Mang Gorio Bahay Kainan
Posted on August 18th, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Lynn Says:
Didn’t know about Euro Kitchen until i’ve read this entry. I’ve known the Macaraeg’s, Karl being my bro’s barkada since college and they were actually the one who did the catering services during my wedding. Wow! Never thought they have a new business. I’d better ask bro about it.
Nice post. I got hungry all of sudden while reading.
Lynns last blog post..Gary V. In His 25th Year
Posted on August 18th, 2008 at 8:16 PM
RICO Says:
pasarap ng pasarap ang Gensan Ah…
Posted on August 24th, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Gay of A Scientist in the Kitchen Says:
Glad to find your blog. Been looking for GenSan blogs as I might transfer there in a few weeks if things push through with a job opportunity back there.
Gay of A Scientist in the Kitchens last blog post..Grilled Chicken Tandoori
Posted on August 27th, 2008 at 2:00 PM
jo mira Says:
good day! namangha kami sa sarap ng pagkain sa euro! it was worth all the diesel spent in searching for the place. my teen-age daughter who does not like to eat rice, napakain ng half-cup rice dahil sa sarap ng ulam!bongga!
Posted on August 29th, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Dingdong odtohan Says:
hi!success pala ung euro kitchen ha!good luck!!!
Posted on August 31st, 2008 at 10:12 AM
sea_urchin Says:
hmmm … i think i’l visit their place soon !
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 PM
mikel Says:
wow na feature na ang EURO KITCHEN here.im a regular costumer of the resto im there almost 3x a week(got a special price kasi ) hehehehe…rice sometimes can be pink, green or yellow.Ang sarap ng steak nila,no need for worchestershire,a1 and iba pang sauce for steaks that hides the taste of it…i should say the best steak in gensan.sometime you get goodies for free..
Posted on September 9th, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Adrenalize Says:
i grew up in tiongson st, and the new trend is a far cry from what it was 5 years ago. its where u can find cheap food at its best! even my relatives from abroad tried eating there and they all flashed a thumb up sign. keep it up guys! but lately i heard, marami na daw ma-oy dun, totoo ba?
Posted on September 13th, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Jordan Ray Quinco Says:
astig to ah!
Posted on February 9th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Bread & Music Box Family KTV, GenSan’s 1st Videoke for all ages | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] Coffee Club 101, EARHotel’s Royale Lounge, Sud-An Restaurant and Grill, Six-Blings Restobar, Euro Kitchen, Afordabolz Oriental Native Food, and Pablo’s Steaks and [...]
Posted on June 15th, 2009 at 5:18 AM
orman Says:
baduy ko talaga…up to now di ko pa rin ito napupuntahan! grrrr!
.-= orman´s last blog ..The Incredible Lightness of Being =-.
Posted on September 14th, 2009 at 6:04 AM
Food grilled to perfection and more at Harvey’s | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] – Tiongson Arcade which houses specialty restos like Gusteau’s Shrimps and Crabs, Euro Kitchen and Gio’s Mongolian Barbecue plus the 10 or more stalls selling everything from barbecue to [...]
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 4:29 PM