La Maison Rose : A Dose of France in Cebu

Cebu is a city that bridges the past and the present. The Queen City of the South, with its strong heritage and colonial history is at present the most progressive city in the Philippines.

Amidst the fast growing development and changing architectural landscape of Cebu, one iconic house has withstood the proverbial test of time. A witness to the changes of Cebu society is “The Pink House,” which as known to many, has transcended from a family abode into a cultural hub and haven for both local and international guests and now called “La Maison Rose.”

Standing on the gravelly and lightly forested stretch of Gorordo Avenue in Lahug, Cebu City, the facade remains the same but once you enter inside, you’ll notice a fine balance of the old and the new. The entire renovation focused on keeping intact the ‘soul’ of the house and to accentuate its 1930s ambience. The idea was never to remodel the house but to return it to its original. The colonial style building is a reminiscent of a French Indochina villa. Its pink color has always been significant to the French. Pink is the color of love and to live La Vie En Rose means to look at life in a happy way.

As you step inside, La Maison Rose will instantly transport you to a place of French elegance and countryside charm. The romantic pink hues are contrasted with refreshing green tones. The home is decorated with ornate florals. Lampshades made out of zoetrope of French-Asian culture light up the corners of the room, while paper lanterns strung over cozy nooks set the lounge aglow. Its interior of shabby chic, in the styles of Shanghai and French-colonial Hanoi, with touches of pop art is fancifully well presented.

The setting is smart, with chairs upholstered with bright, floral fabrics and tables with pristine white cloths. Spread throughout the restaurant, vintage posters of beauteous women from Shanghai adorn the walls in gold, red and black frames.

La Maison Rose’ architectural details like old ceiling beams and moon-shaped doors were retained to add charm to the space. The second floor above the restaurant is the headquarters of Alliance Française de Cebu, where French classes and monthly French art exhibits, film showings, music and dance shows are held.

There's a classic piano, painted white, which sits by the main entrance. French is known as the language of love. Whether you want to seduce your lover or you need some inspiration, there's a vast amount of romantic songs to suit your tastes.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxing, homey atmosphere, La Maison Rose offers the perfect solution. It has a living room that contains furniture such as sofas, rectangular coffee table and a chair. Reading coffee table books while sipping on a freshly brewed cup of coffee is a great way to pump up your day!

The restaurant troths to be a culinary fete, with the belief that the best way to get to know a culture is through the stomach, serving classic dishes with a contemporary twist.

Having this gizmo at your side gives you the comfort of knowing that if you need anything, you simply make use of the call button next to you. Whenever you need something, you press the button and moments later, a staff member will be there to attend to your needs. Call buttons encourage diners to order food and beverages without having to wave or call for assistance. It gives you the convenience you expect and deserve.

Indulge your very own culinary journey, guided by an expert server dressed up as a french maid. Waitresses at La Maison Rose act as if they are servants in a private home. They treat their customers as masters and mistresses.

La Maison Rose has a visually appealing menu. It boasts a robust selection of classic French food made with seasonal ingredients. Bon appétit!

The complimentary plate is divided into three proportions. The center section features their signature handmade toasted bread made fresh daily by their bakery, "La Vie Parisienne" topped with bacon bits. It is accompanied by pesto cream dip on the left part. Plus, a vegan macaroni salad on the other side.

Caesar Salad with Homemade Smoked Chicken

This version of a salad features smoked chicken. The combination of smoked chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, especially their signature dressing make this dish a crowd-pleaser. This new take on a classic salad has all the crunch and is rich, decadent and full of flavor. Topped with slices of hard-boiled eggs and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, this salad elevates from a simple side to a stunning main dish.

Smoked Salmon Carbonara

This is a lighter version of spaghetti carbonara. For people who want the flavor but not the bacon, smoked salmon is the perfect substitute. Salmon is packed with lean protein and omega-3 fatty acid, which helps keep your brain, eyes and heart all in tip-top condition. This hearty pasta has the perfect weight and velvety texture to cling to the creamy sauce and stand up to the bulky protein in every satisfying bite. It is mounded with grated Parmesan cheese making it oh so yummy!

Sous vide Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly with Pineapple

The term sous vide, pronounced as soo-veed, is a french phrase which literally means under vacuum. It is a method of cooking food slowly in a vacuum-sealed pouch at a low temperature so as to retain most of the juice and aroma, getting your meat to the doneness you desire without overcooking it. La Maison's pork belly is succulent and tender while the pineapple added a refreshing and unexpected burst of flavor. The caramel sauce has all the sweet, buttery notes but with a subtle spicy aftertaste. This dish is served with rice and fresh green beans.

Caramel Flan

Caramel flan is a creamy custard dessert with a layer of soft caramel on top. This is great when you want something sweet but not too heavy. With its smooth and silky texture, topped with raisins, this is an order you’d never want to share!

The bill comes in this clever book box. This elegant themed book box has the perfect touch of Paris culture. It features graphics of the famous Eiffel Tower and some postage stamps.

It's imperative to turn an eye to outdoor dining. La Maison Rose also offers a good amount of outdoor seating that's a nice retreat when the inside packs out. It has a lovely outdoor terrace area which is sheltered by a retractable roof.

Sit outside for an early morning juice, afternoon coffee or an evening of wine. Kick back on these fancy outdoor bean bag chairs that will change your way of sitting. Bean bag chairs are utilitarian, as well as stylish and comfortable to sit on. They are generously-sized to provide calming sensory input throughout the body. Patrons will get the chance to dine while enjoying the laid-back comfort of these bean bag chairs.

Simply hearing the word “hammock” elicits an overwhelming urge to grab a book and a beverage, and fritter the day away in a hanging recliner. While you may think of hammocks as beachside loungers, the suspended seating has evolved into stylish furniture. La Maison Rose has hammock chairs that come with stands which is designed to be more stable and less prone to flipping over while you get comfy. They are also ideal for keeping guests warm during chilly nights.

There’s no dress code required at La Maison Rose. As long as you arrive with the appetite of a true ‘gourmand,’ which, in French, refers to a person who loves food, then you’re welcome to eat!

At the end of the day, they’re all after one thing: seeing the customers smile, after they’ve enjoyed and savored their meals.