On the Table: Mary Grace Dimacali of Mary Grace Cafe
on 12 August, 2007
I have to say that it is my husband Hector Dimacali who influences my baking and cooking in the sense that he is a quality man who puts high standards for me to attain for all my products.
Which book has had the biggest impact?
There is no one book, there are a collection of books that are my teachers. When I trouble shoot or develop a recipe I go to all of these books.
What was your first job in the food business?
I didn’t work for any food establishment. I was my own boss.
When did you decide you wanted to open Mary Grace Cafe?
There has always been requests for my customers for me to open a cafe where they can sit down to eat my ensaymadas and cheese rolls with a cup of coffee or tsokolate. This and an opportunity for a little cafe in Serendra lay the grounds for my first cafe. The management of Serendra liked my concept and gave me a break.
What is your favorite item on the your menu?
My food are all my favorites but top of mind is a tomato and herb pasta, a mango and papaya salad with prawns, a cup of rich and velvety Mary Grace chocolate, with a Mary Grace grilled ensaymada of course!
Which restaurant meal (foreign or local) do you remember the most?
This is a hard question as I can remembering enjoying a lot of good meals — Indian, Japanese and Italian.
Besides your own place, what’s your favorite restaurant in Manila?
Again a hard question. I have a lot so rather than risk offending other restaurant owners who have turned out to be my good friends, may I just keep you guesing?
What junk food do you love?
A lot! My Sans Rival, ice cream, french fries, chocolates . . .
Is there a food you just can’t seem to enjoy?
Let’s see… I will never really like eating celery stalks no matter how good the dip is.
Just between us, what are your future plans?
A third branch after Serendra and Trinoma. Expanding my menu to include soup and a few entrees.
Mary Grace Cafe
Piazza Serendra
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Telephone: (02) 856-0858
Email: marygracefoods@yahoo.com.ph
Thank you to Gabby Dimacali for making this post possible.
LABELS: Mary Grace Dimacali, On The Table

4
comments
Post a commentAUGUST 16, 2007 4:39 AM
christine said...
I really enjoy dining at Mary Grace cafe. They have good, simple pastas and they have a wonderful Mexican chocolate which I love, aside from other things. I love how it feels like I'm a guest at a favorite aunt's home. Mary Grace herself is a sweetheart, she treats her customers like special house guests. :)
AUGUST 17, 2007 1:11 PM
Franco said...
Hi Christine,
I haven't tried her non-ensaymada dishes. But I've heard so much about her longganisa and kesong puti pandesal sandwich. That I'm planning a trip back there soon. :)
NOVEMBER 24, 2007 3:35 PM
jonezybabe@yahoo.com said...
i just love love love the cheese rolls at Mary Grace! My friend Aileen introduced me to this delectable pastry just a few month ago, now im hooked. Problem is my wedding is coming up, and i need to shed a few pounds... Since this heavenly pastry is just one of my few indulgences in food, may I know how much calorie does this soft, sweet and creamy pastry packs. Eventhough im going through this phase, I don't want to restrain myself too much. I believe pacing is key to a successful dieting. Hope I can get a response... Thanks a bunch!
FEBRUARY 16, 2011 4:29 AM
jotan23 said...
Mary Grace Cafe is love!
I love the cassava chips, vigan longganisa sandwich and most of all, their lemon scampi pasta!!!
i need to come back for more!!!
http://jotan23.blogspot.com/2011/02/mary-grace-cafe.html