Some days can be longer than others. Good thing there’s a new place north of the metro that you can visit for an evening of unwinding over good tapas and fine wines. Bienvenido a Ponce!
Ponce is on a pursuit to bring good Spanish fare, fine wines and amazing experiences closer to people. Because Ponce believes that good food and good stories make life great.
The restaurant is named after Maximo Ponce, a man who grew up with an inspiring appetite for life. He spent his childhood basking under the warm sun, running across the plains of Tarlac to look after farm animals, pick fresh produce, inhale the refreshing breeze and create timeless memories.
One person who particularly got enthralled by Maximo’s worldly and gung-ho spirit is his son, Dick Balajadia.
Taking after his father’s great love for adventures, Dick traveled the world hand-in-hand with the love of his life, Mars. Together, they relished some of the world’s best gastronomic experiences and even took them back home upon their return to the Philippines.
Their magnificent journeys in Europe, particularly around Spain, inspired them to build Ponce.
When you first step inside Ponce, you will instantly feel a certain pleasant vibe. The breezy interiors and verdant accents will easily evoke in you an al fresco ambience that perhaps perfectly simulates what it’s like to enjoy a meal in Spain.
As your eyes scan the place, a cleverly written neon sign will definitely catch your eye and leave a lingering question: “Sangria? Wine not?”
And if you linger a bit, you will spot a speakeasy bar situated just above the dining area. It’s perfectly dim and chill set up will entice you to cap the night off with handcrafted drinks and good jazz music.
But before toasting the night away, you will surely want to indulge in Ponce’s exquisite offerings.
Ponce’s menu, thoroughly curated by the owners themselves together with Chef Angelo Santicruz, offers an exquisite selection of Spanish specialties. Classic picks such as the Paella Mars y Montaña is an apt nod to the flavors of Spain.
Just seeing the paella’s pan being ushered into your table will already excite your taste buds. What more if you take a hefty spoonful of the paella’s perfectly crusted rice, pork meatballs, clams and prawns? A glorious burst of flavors is bound to explode in your mouth, leaving you wanting for more.
Other must-order specialties include the Calamar a la Andalusia, a tapas y entradas offering of Andalusian squid fried to crisp golden perfection and served with a side of garlic aioli.
If these dishes are already stirring up your appetite, wait until you hear about Ponce’s house special–the Cochinillo Asado del Chef
Famed for being so unbelievably tender that a saucer could cut through it, Ponce’s De Cochinillo Asado del Chef is a Spanish specialty that traces its roots to the Spanish city of Segovia.
The cochinillo’s deliciously crisp skin crackles, as it effortlessly breaks over the slightest squeeze. Glossed over by aromatic and flavorsome spices, this Ponce house specialty brings a flare of flavor you won’t find in the usual lechon.
Imagine savoring all of these dishes after a long day, followed by swig after swig of Ponce’s refreshing sangria. White or red, Ponce’s perfectly concocted sangrias will immediately send you to full weekend mode. The medley of bright and fruity flavors is a nice finish to Ponce’s tasty dishes.
Ponce was also designed for all kinds of get togethers. Be it a nice dinner of paella and sangria, a jazzy nightcap at the speakeasy bar, or even a dinner meeting at one of its intimate conference areas.
As the newest Spanish restaurant in town, it wants to welcome and inspire great stories, vibrant laughter and warm memories. The same way Maximo Ponce has done so all his life.
And despite being situated in one of the metro’s busiest districts, Ponce can be your quiet and relaxing escape after a long day.
Ponce is located at 124 Sct. Dr. Lazcano St., Brgy. Sacred Heart, Tomas Morato, Quezon City
