10/07/2023
Craft Kitchen: Reviving Heritage House in a Restaurant Setting
by Fatima Munding
The image tells the history and the past, where the memories of heritage house last. An old house named Craft Kitchen meets the Filipino and Chinese modern cuisine that serves a delicious slice of the past. Walking into the renovated heritage house restaurant with its sleek, and modern design is like stepping into the place that will bring you back to the 20th century with a contemporary style.
Before 1940 the house or known now as Craft Kitchen was already built by the end of World War II. The real owner of the house is 1st Lieutenant Thomas Castillo who served in World War II as a member of United States Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE).
1Lt. Thomas Castillo is the great grandfather of the owner of craft kitchen today, he was once a professor in the school founded by Arturo Eustaquio, Sr., then known as Zamboanga A.E. Colleges and known now as Universidad de Zamboanga. He likewise taught at the Zamboanga Normal School or named now as Western Mindanao State University. He also lived in the house, but soon moved to another home since the owner did not want to return to the house after the Spanish were there for some time while he was away. After several decades, the house was rented out to several families until the last tenant moved out in 2017, at which point the Castillo family began to plan what they would do with the property.
In the year 2018, the notion to establish a renovated restaurant called Craft Kitchen was initiated by a member of the Castillo family. Before the house was named Craft Kitchen, the owner started a food business from home by delivering food to customers, until they have the idea of renovating the house and turning it to a heritage house restaurant.
The restaurant is located at San Jose Road, Corner Baliwasan Chico Road, Zamboanga City, Philippines. Their service hours start at 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM everyday. Craft Kitchen is a restaurant that serves a different Filipino cuisine such beef kulma, beef caldereta, beef curry and a different type of lapu-lapu dish which is their best seller.
Their Chinese cuisine includes beef with broccoli which is one of the most popular Chinese dishes, and features succulent beef with broccoli, onions and bean sprouts tossed in a phenomenally delicious sauce.
In addition to the restaurant itself, offering catering services for events such as celebrations, birthdays, weddings, trays to go with a maximum of 15 to 20 packs, take away, food delivery, and private function rooms such as meetings and small gathering that can be a great way to expand their business and generate additional revenue. They also have the Heritage Five 17 Breakfast Café, which you can find at the back of the house, their coffee is so called "kahawa" that is free for all customers. Their food is 100% halal, they do not serve pork.
Mother's creative vision took over on designing the whole restaurant that's owned by her son. Her design was very delightful, a color of frivolity and covered with green growing plants. The mother takes great pride in providing their customers with unforgettable dining experiences. From the moment you step through the door, you are greeted with warm and friendly service that makes you feel right at home.
They also have carefully curated the restaurant's ambiance to be both perfect and instagramable, transporting you to a different place altogether. The place is very friendly and affordable. Whether you're looking for an intimate dinner with a loved one or a fun night out with friends, the owner's attention to detail ensures that you'll have a fantastic time. They know that dining out is about more than just the food; it's about creating a memorable experience that you'll remember long after the meal is over.
If you're looking for a unique blend of old and new architecture, you should visit a certain location that boasts a hundred-year-old house with a modern and contemporary design. This place is a perfect example of how the past and present can harmoniously coexist. As you walk up to the house, you'll notice the classic brick exterior, which gives the building its historic charm. However, as you step inside, you'll be greeted by a bright and airy space that features sleek lines, minimalist furnishings, and state-of-the-art appliances. The interior seamlessly blends traditional and modern elements, creating a stunning visual contrast that is both comforting and exciting. (Fatima Munding, MMA-WMSU Comm)
