MANILA, Philippines -- When award-winning architect Mike Peña secured a property in White Plains Subdivision, he wanted the family to get involved in making something out of it. His wife, Elena, poured her interest in interior design and home accessories while the eldest, Paul Michael, helped his father do the architecture that leans toward the sustainable kind. Isaiah, on the other hand, conceptualized the food and ambience while the youngest, Carla, helped in the finishing touches. The result is Silya't Sili, a restaurant/gallery/events place that has harmoniously blended their interests into a fine destination in Quezon City.
From the outside, one would initially predict a simple eating-out place but once inside, a showcase of furniture, décor and artworks will surprise the diner-laid-out and cleverly integrated into a modern structure trimmed with the beautiful grain of hard wood. The two-story building is where the restaurant is located. Paintings by emerging writers hang on its white walls while chairs are set against floating shelves. Upstairs are rooms devoted for private functions, defined by a collection of Tulip chairs.
Contiguous to the structure and led by a curve of steps is the events hall-a garden-inspired place with serious outdoor and hand-carved furniture pieces. The ceiling is composed of tented fabric which gives the space its stylish touch. Surrounded by bonsai plants that are part of architect Mike's collection, the hall is designed to be an intimate venue for 40 to 60 people.
The main draw of Silya't Sili is the fact that it not only offers a dining experience different from the usual fare, since you also get to have an appreciation of fine furniture and exquisite works of art. In fact, if you fancy the chair that you are sitting on as you partake of Filipino and Asian Fusion cuisines that the restaurant offers, you can probably buy it. "That's one thing that people are coming here for," says Isaiah. "It's not just a restaurant where you can dine but also look around and admire the furniture and the artworks."
Because of its proximity to some of the exclusive subdivisions in the area such as White Plains, Corinthian Garden, Greenmeadows, among others, Silya't Sili has drawn mainly families as its steady guests and occasionally attracts those who want to have an intimate setting either for lunch or dinner. Despite the upmarket feel of the place, Isaiah says that their food is affordable and people tend to relax because of the domestic ambience. "Here, you have a homey feel," says Isaiah who also runs his own pizza business called Pizza Bowm. "And it is complemented by the food which is done the lutong-bahay style."
Isaiah reveals that the 1,100 sq.m. property will undergo a redevelopment by October when it is transformed into a four-story project that will integrate health and fitness components such as a gym, a yoga place among others. The building, he adds, will be "green architecture all the way." The restaurant with its gallery concept will remain as they still want to cater to the families in the neighborhood.
The entire Peña family who contributed efforts in making Silya't Sili a reality, doing it with equal amounts of hard work and love for the job. "In putting up this kind of business, passion plays a huge part," Isaiah says. "If you really like what you're doing, you're happy."
Silya't Sili is located at 52 Katipunan St. White Plains, Quezon City. It is open from 11 am. to 2 pm., 5 pm. to 9 pm., Tuesday to Sunday. Visit silyatsili.com for details.
