In Pasay, a tapas bar and restaurant that celebrates food, family, and love

Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant opened quietly in January 2020, as a new virus called COVID-19 threatened much of the world, at the Garden Wing of Newport Mall Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

A bold and risky move, but restaurant owner Henjie Carmona embraced his restaurant staff like they were his family, and they embraced him back.

Two years on, Rafael's is still standing strong, the major theme of family proving to be at the heart of the restaurant and the Filipino-Spanish food it serves.

It's hard to think that was the case — that things nice and warm like family and friends sat at its front and center — judging by the Rafael's intimidating facade.

A well-stocked bar, and its fine rows of alcohol in tight flasks and glass bottles greeted guests as they entered Rafael's. 

A quick look to the right will show walls adorned with different paintings of women, both calming and captivating.

Red and black exploded in every part of the space as a golden chandelier resembling trumpets hung in the center, accenting the room.

Intriguing art pieces paraded everywhere you looked, inviting you to sit down, stare, have your food and drink. 

Named after Henjie's father, Rafael’s was his way of keeping the memory of his father alive. The menu is something of record of all the delicious dishes his father would cook for the whole family back then.

He's also dedicated a special corner to his mother, naming the VIP room, where Rafael's hosts intimate dining events, meetings and small get-togethers, Petronila after her.

But for Henjie, this real essence of Rafael’s is the food. Henjie, with the help of his R&D and kitchen team, curated a delicious menu that helped him honor his father and was every bit bang for the buck.

“‘Yung food na nakikita ninyo dito, these are mostly food prepared by my father when I was growing up. I just worked with my kitchen team to innovate it, modernize it and make sure [that] somehow it will become palatable to the market that I want to cater to,” he said.

Here are some of our favorites:

Keeping the restaurant afloat through the pandemic required perseverance and a hefty exhaustion of his resources. At one point, Rafael’s had to resort to packed meals and limited operations.

But, says Henjie, "At the end of the day, it always comes back to family. I’m with my family, network of friends, and my staff.” — LA, GMA News

Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant, 2/F , Garden Wing of Newport Mall Resorts World Manila in Pasay City. 11am-11pm.