Second day of classes (May 31, 2011) and our restaurant and food exploration had also officially started. Another semester of law books with gastronomic sessions in between is underway. I was not present when the said promise to treat was made but as we use the term I was part of the "collateral damage", nasali sa libre! According to them Ate Cai promised to offer a treat last enrollment. So Ate Rhen, Maven, Julse, Lemz, Prinz (but Prinz had another business to attend to), Ate Cai and me planned the dinner. Classes ended at 8pm, 30 minutes earlier from the schedule so we hurriedly flagged a taxi and proceeded to Arano's at Fairlane Village, Guadalupe.
We arrived at about 8:30 pm. The street was quiet, you would not even know that a restaurant existed there, but the considerable number of cars parked outside is readily observable. We got excited, it was all our first time. The place was a residence actually but a small portion was transformed into a restaurant. We entered through a small door with a carving which says "Arano". That was our cue, that indeed was the restaurant.
There was a small reception area inside. There are also sets of tables and chairs while customers may delight in watching the television while waiting. The walls were filled with Spanish and Mexican memorabilia like coins, posters, pictures and a whole lot more. Obviously, the texts were on Spanish so I had the slightest hint on what those words meant to say. The owner, a foreigner, was also there entertaining the guests with his antics and excellent customer service. More tables and chairs were located in their garden, a perfect combination because your stomach gets full while your eyes get full of the view too. Since we went there on an evening, the place was accentuated with dim lightings with Spanish music which soothed our ears.
The menu consisted of Spanish dishes. We ordered paella (good for 5 persons but it was just right for the six of us), lengua which for me was the most delectable so far and buffalo wings (chicken wings). We also ordered leche flan and Crema de Mangga (actually it was just the famous mango float) for dessert. Just a friendly reminder, if you want to eat at Arano's, I think it would be best to call them first so that your orders will be prepared ahead. Unlike the fastfood chains where the orders are served instantly, here they cook the food as ordered right at that very moment. So you have to be patient enough. As for first timers like us, we waited for almost 2 hours just to get a taste of our orders. We even ate the desserts first just to pass the hunger.
Alas, when the foods were served, we devoured them and we succumbed to the hedonic call of our senses. Except for the long waiting period, I should say I highly recommend this place because it is affordable considering the taste and quality of the dishes that they offer.
P.S.: Big Thanks to Ate Cai.
Arano's Contact Number: 256-1937
Photos courtesy of:
http://ph.openrice.com/cebu/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=12061
http://ph.openrice.com/cebu/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=12061
