Benjamin

Benjamin is such a big name in the Vicencio family.    There are five Benjamins in the family:

The family patriarch, my grandfather,
Benjamin Sr. (Lolo Ben)

My uncle, Benjamin Jr. (Tito Benjo)

My cousin, Jose Benjamin (Joben)

My nephew, Benjamin Miguel (Migo)

And by affinity, my husband, Benjamin (Ben).
What a good coincidence that he has the right name.
Serendipitous indeed!

Now comes Benjamin, the restaurant.  The brainchild of my chef cousin Nico Vicencio.    It's opening on October 25, 2014!!!

I think there is no better way to celebrate and share one's passion for good food than to open a restaurant bearing the family's special name.   You know the family's pride and reputation are at stake.  That's how you'll know the food is going to be fantastic.

The restaurant is set in the garden of the Vicencio ancestral home, now owned by Nico's family.  My Uncle, Tito Noel (Nico's dad) breathed new life into the property with his keen aesthetic sense.    The result: a very fine marriage of the classical-old and the modern-contemporary.  Look at these photos:

The Vicencio ancestral home

Al fresco dining area

The Bar.  Those gas tank bar stools are so novel!

I love the logo B made of bullet shells

Antique bikes. An old boat.  Old-fashioned
wheels used in animal-drawn carts.
Period artefacts adorn the grounds.

Look at those old school water pumps

Tito Noel.  The genius behind the layout & design

Despite being tucked away in Lubao, Pampanga, this will be worth the trip from Metro Manila.  Pampanga is a culinary destination in the Philippines, and I'm positive Benjamin will earn its rights to  be one of the pitstops of a Pampanga gastronomical tour.

And now the food:

Benjamin is not your regular hole in the wall restaurant.  The menu and restaurant atmospherics have been carefully thought through.    You have a true-blue Kapampangan, formally trained and avid foodie at its kitchen, and he only works with fresh ingredients.   Take me there now!

I am so stoked that Nico is starting to turn his dream into reality.   I am sure Lolo Ben in heaven is smiling down on him.  We are mighty proud of him.  

Chef Nico!

Benjamin is located at Sta. Monica, Lubao, Pampanga

Open 3 days a week (Thurs - Sat from 4pm to 10pm)

Opening on Oct. 25, 2014

Tel. no. +63 917 471 2604