Christmas Day may officially be over, but the holiday spirit is very much alive all year round at Cafe Claus, apparently the first Christmas theme restaurant in the country.
At Cafe Claus located in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Kapuso actor Ken Chan and his business partner CEO Ryan Kolton share their family's favorite traditional food that would always remind you of Christmas.
"Here at Cafe Claus, it's Christmas every single day. But it's deeper than that. It comes to the idea that every day, no matter what happens outside, no matter how down you feel, whenever you come to our doors, this is your home away from home. If there is one thing that you can take away, this is your family-first type home to come back to and reconnect to all the things that made your life and home beautiful," said Ryan, during the launch of the cafe restaurant on Dec. 26. "This is the place to be."
Ryan added: "What you're seeing now is a product of three years of planning, creating, and conceptualizing. I had the pleasure of working with Ken for many years now. We've put up companies together. But we both have a passion for opening up a restaurant café, though, the challenge was, we really didn't exactly know what the idea would be. When we first thought about it, we want the best features, the coffee machines, the fridge, the desserts."
"Ken and I love Christmas because Christmas is everywhere. The reason why we love Christmas is that, on the personal side, for both my family and also for Ken's family, Christmas is not just the holidays. It's a day that marks both sad and good memories," said Ryan, who was referring to the loss of Ken's relative, who's like an uncle to him. "It's because of him that this café restaurant was conceptualized."
Café Claus formally opened to the public on Dec. 27. Tandang Sora in Quezon City is a memorable place for the actor because he grew up in the area.
Ken said that two more branches of Café Claus will open in Metro Manila during the first quarter of 2022.
"Tayong mga Pinoy, love na love talaga natin ang Pasko. Halos kalahating taon tayo nagse-celebrate ng Pasko. Ngayon pa lamang, ramdam na namin ang suporta ng tao. Magtatayo rin kami sa Greenhills Promenade in San Juan at Eastwood in Quezon City. Three years in the making ito pero para sa akin, ang bilis. Mahabang proseso ito mula sa look at pagkain," the actor said.
"Bawa't isa sa mga pagkain na yan may kuwento. Hindi lang kami nagserve. That's why yung ibang food namin may pangalan ng mga tao. We want it very personal and isa ito sa mga elemento na talagang pinag-isipan namin," added Ken.
Ryan's favorite dish is the roasted chicken, known as "Roasting On An Open Fire." He said: "It's an old recipe prepared by my great-grandmother."
Helping celebrate the opening of the cafe-restaurant is Kapuso star Rita Daniella, co-star of Ken in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Huling Ulan Sa Tag-Araw."
So bring on Prancer (signature Golden Belgian Waffle with maple syrup); Dasher (classic pancake with homemade maple and craisins); Donner (signature longganisa paired with truffle scrambled egg); Comet (Christmas Tapsilog); Happy Chesse Dream (grilled cheese panini), etc. It's Christmastime at Café Claus every day!