‘Lutong Orig’
Sun.Star Davao, Feb. 23, 2008

Cooking is a passion that the Orig family takes seriously.

Vanessa Orig-Pacheco (now based in Canada with her husband Robin) is one of my ‘bestest’ friends since grade school. In high school, when all of us girls were struggling not to break our fried egg yolks in Home Economics class, Vanessa was already whipping up delectable dishes in her spare time together with her mom Joy, sister Sue Anne Orig-Samson and brother Dino. Tito Bobby, their amiable dad who is Davao Light and Power Co.’s Vice President gladly played the crucial role of food taster.

Tita Joy, a former Philippine Airlines flight attendant, constantly goes the extra mile for her family--creating homemade corned beef, ham, longanisa, guava jelly, homemade anything!

“If we want to eat a certain food, she would find a way to make it herself”, reveals eldest Sue Anne.

On the other hand, Vanessa patiently makes her own pan de sal in her Toronto home. Recently, she has even started supplying her delicious Filipino bread rolls to friends.

A taste of home

Our barkada has always enjoyed the parties held at the Orig home. Their family residence is so inviting and cozy with its country style interiors. The lanai is the perfect setting for an intimate dinner with family and friends.

As I’ve written in my article “Christmas in November” last November 25, 2006, “The Origs are connoisseurs of entertaining at home. With all the kitchenware and china pieces they’ve collected through the years, they might as well go into the catering or food business. Most importantly, the family has an innate gift of making each visitor feel comfortable and pampered as they personally attend to their gastronomic needs”.

Last February 8, 2008, the Origs finally shared their love for cooking and entertaining to the public through their family-owned Cafe Andessa.

When Tita Joy texted me that they were opening up their very own restaurant, I was extremely delighted with the news. ”At long last!”, I told my husband Gary.

Seeing Cafe Andessa for the first time during its opening and blessing, I was proud and impressed with how the family’s vision for the restaurant came to life.

Cafe Andessa

“Andessa” is a combination of the Orig siblings’ names, “An” for Sue Anne, “D” for Dino and “Essa” for Vanessa.

The restaurant seems to be an extension of the Orig’s family home in its design and proximity. It is situated right in front of their residence where the driveway’s garden used to be.

Sue Anne’s 7-year old daughter Alex laughs, “One time, my Dad said ‘Kain tayo sa labas’ (Let’s eat outside), I thought we were going to McDonalds or something, it turned out that he meant Cafe Andessa”.
The cafe, which can comfortably sit 50 people, is a reflection of Tita Joy’s fine taste in interior decoration.

Huge mirrors and colored glass adorned the wooden walls. Wicker and wrought iron chairs as well as dark wooden tables were especially ordered from Angeles City, which was where the Origs resided in the mid 80’s.

The high ceiling contributed to the restaurant’s relaxing log cabin ambience, pleasantly reminding you of Tagaytay or Baguio. The quaint cafe is filled with Tita Joy’s collection of novelty items and unique decorations.

On busy evenings, it is not surprising to catch Tito Bobby and Tita Joy entertaining the cafe’s guests while Sue Anne oversees the food, cooking and operations side of the business.

“High school friends have been convincing me to open up a restaurant for a long time. But, I was hesitant at first. Our family loves to ‘feed’ friends but we are not business-minded people”, Sue Anne divulges.

Although it’s a bit of a challenge, University of the Philippines (Diliman) graduate says that she wants to maintain the quality of the food served in the cafe without scrimping on the ingredients and “at a price the people are willing to pay”.

‘Lutong Orig’ (Orig Cooking)

The menu boasts of the Origs’ well-loved Filipino and international recipes. No pretentious and fancy-sounding names in its roster of dishes but definitely, the restaurant offers good old fashioned home cooked meals that would satisfy one’s discriminating taste buds.

The cafe’s specialties include Bicol Express (P105) which is named after the train that travels between Manila and Bicol.

Sue Anne whose mother’s side hails from Bicol explains that the popular dish has many variations and versions: “Some have vegetables while others don’t. Ours is how my Lola used to cook it the way my Lolo likes it. This is not for everyone but if you’re adventurous, go ahead and try it”.

Laing (P75) is also highly recommended. The menu aptly describes the dish as the “quintessential Bicolano delicacy”. It is mainly composed of gabi leaves, shrimps and coconut milk.

“My mom makes the best laing in town. This is often requested by her friends”, proudly declares boxing buff Sue Anne.

Work in progress

Other musts-try are the Taco Salad (P80), Jalapeño Poppers (P85), Asian Glazed Spare Ribs (P120), Chicken Andessa with Java rice (P100), Chicken Adobo’ng Bicol (P75), Kalingking (sweet potato fritters)(P50), Bilo-bilo (glutinous rice balls in coconut milk)(P35), Binutong (glutinous rice served with tsokolate)(P40).

Among the cafe’s desserts, our barkada’s ultimate favorite is the binutong. I ordered this sinful treat last Valentine’s Day during a potluck dinner. My friends raved about it and couldn’t resist drinking the extra native cocoa that was supposed to be poured on the binutong.

Not to be missed, too, are traditional Kapampangan dishes such as Kilayin (‘Fear Factor’ Kapampangan delicacy which is similar to bopis)(P75), Sizzling Tokwa ‘N Talong (P75)and Sizzling Sisig (P120).

“For now, the cafe is more of a restaurant than a coffee shop. Eventually, we will be adding a variety of coffee selections in our menu”, shares Sue Anne.

With all the plans the family is concocting, she admits that “the cafe is still a work in progress”.

And, what wonderful progress the Origs have been making, thus far!

Cafe Andessa is located at #2 Cabantian Road, Carpio Subd., Davao City (From Buhangin Road, it’s just a few meters away from the Buhangin/Diversion Crossing, after Cartir Square). Telephone number (082) 2410004. It is open from Mondays-Saturdays, 10am-10pm and Sundays, 11am-9pm.

(E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com)