Bistro Mercedes : A Heritage of Ye Auld Kagay-an de Misamis

When siblings Fara and Emily got together with their mom Mercedes Tan Vda de Pacana to conceptualize their dream restaurant, they wanted it in an old Kagay-anon house. For besides showcasing its cuisine, they would remind residents of the genteel days of the old Cagayan de Misamis when almost every house had a piano.

As destiny would lead them, they stumbled upon the residence of former judge Nazar Chaves along Toribio Chaves street near the corner of Capistrano Street, right next to Lourdes College, Mercedes' alma mater where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics since schools didn't offer courses in culinary arts then.

Built during the mid 1930s by the grandfather of the late judge, it has a long and storied history as a private residence of old oligarchs. Over the years, the building was used as a law office, medical clinic, barber shop, internet café, among many others.

Among the prominent occupants of the place at one time or another were Drs. Delfin Rabe and George Limjoco, pioneers of the medical profession in the city. Ambassador to the USA Raul Rabe also took abode in this house, said Nemesio Justino "NJ" Chaves, son of the late judge who is now the administrator for the building.

"We wanted to preserve the Kagay-anon heritage contained in its structure," said Ramid "Boy" Gualberto, Fara's lesser half. "To complement the old historic ambience, we also scouted around for antique chandeliers, wall sconces and commissioned a Venetian mirror to bring back fond memories of the auld Cagayan de Misamis, as the city was then called when it was still the capital town of the Segundo Partido de Misamis during the Spanish times."

With ideas and concepts from Boy and Fara, architect Rey Galua successfully brought back the glory of the old residence, preserving the original structure while enhancing a focal point here and there with an antique chandelier, a French window, circa 1930s furniture and a row of wall sconces accented by natural wood stones from Bukidnon.

Of course the venue is just but one, albeit key aspect of the many intangibles which collectively make up Bistro Mercedes. Amidst its distinctive elegance and fine dining ambiance, the restaurant offers healthy dishes using extra virgin olive oil with fresh salads, pastas and entrées prepared in their true authentic cuisine. Among the fancy preparations in the menu is the eggplant caviar on blini, a French specialty which takes up to two days to prepare. There is also the bruschetta with fresh mozzarella, garden fresh basil and tomatoes.

Fara, who is a hands-on cook, manages the kitchen and dining room staff. She intimated that most preparations are done roasted, grilled or baked. These healthy cooking techniques she learned in her culinary studies at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York USA.

A casual rundown of unique items in the bistro's menu quickly sets those taste buds salivating: roasted pink salmon with asparagus risotto and vegetable sides, prime rib in lemon oil with mashed potatoes and sautéed greens, and prawns thermidor.

Bistro Mercedes is open 10am to 10pm and its function room and second floor is very conducive for business meetings, conferences and seminars, family parties, private gatherings, and exclusive affairs.

"We want to invite all our friends as well as their friends to try Bistro Mercedes," Boy and Fara said during the blessing and inaugurals held last January 9th with some of their close friends and business associates. "We guarantee a different dining experience," Boy adds with typical Kagay-anon panache.

Sulong mga igsuon!