Our reservation at Gumbo for dinner was only 30 minutes away, after work hours. Desperate to catch it on the quickest time, I walked briskly (almost ran) until I reached my first stop: Chocolat, SM Mall of Asia, where I bought a red velvet cake for my parents’ wedding anniversary. The night, after all, was all about celebrating this wonderful occasion.
My parents hit their 26th this year. *Big congrats!* It’s our first time to dine in at this branch of Gumbo (read review of Gumbo at Robinsons Place, Manila). Funny it’s located exactly beside Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant, where we celebrated our parents’ silver anniversary last year. We were led to our seats and before we knew it, the food arrived.
Celebrating Our Parents’ 26th Wedding Anniversary at Gumbo (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)
It’s already more than a decade when Gumbo opened its first branch in the Philippines, but it already feels like longer. Featuring New Orleans cuisine, this restaurant is considered as iconic an institution as any of the high-low, smart-fusion, upscale-casual restaurant archetypes that have redefined how we eat. Its menu reflects a melting pot of different cultures. A decade later, the crowds are still here. Gumbo branches are all spacious and thus serve as great venues for celebrations and parties.
For the food, we opted with the tried-and-true classic, Gumbo’s Spaghetti Puttanesca (PHp 375, Petite; PHp 575, Grande). It consisted of spahetti pasta, tossed in pomodoro sauce with fresh basil, capers, balck olives, artichoke and anchovies. With flavorful and aromatic sauce, this version of spaghetti is a comfort food favorite thatβs rich and satisfying. The best thing about it? It’s free from meat and is completely vegetarian! At least for our family, it’s a timeless dish thatβs ideal for any day’s supper.
Like Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant, which is also owned by Specialty Restaurant, Inc., Gumbo gives customers the liberty to choose up to four pizza flavors on the menu and make them into an order of one pizza. We had the following:
- Jumpin’ Shrimps – all fresh-shrimp pizza with pomodoro and mozzarella
- Quattro Formaggio – mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar and bleu cheese
- Pomodoro and Cheese – pomodoro sauce topped with mozzarella cheese
- All-Meat – a hearty combination of pepperoni, Italian sausage, grilled chicken cube and andouille sausage
Gumbo’s pizzas are so good that I’d want to eat a slice every day, but then my diet would be doomed.
Lastly, this wedding anniversary celebration wouldn’t be a feast without us ordering the Family Feast (PHp 795, Petite; PHp 1395, Grande) plated with the best of everything. It had theΒ combination of honey-grilled chicken, Bourbon-style barbecue ribs, batter coated cream dory and shrimp kebabs and grilled skewered veggies (zucchini and mushrooms). We generally agreed that each viand was a pleaser. The balance between the seasoning, sauce and smoke of the seafood, meat and veggies hadΒ captured the subtle complexity of what we regard as good food.
After eating, our attending waiter quietly offered to serenade us with a song and at the same time serve the cake. I said okay and they waited for my signal.Β Shortly, all of Gumbo’s staff (yes, including the chefs and kitchen assistants) arranged themselves in a horizontal line and sang “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” in front of our table.Β It was such a joyous moment that we wholeheartedly appreciated.
My sister gave my parents a handmade heart-shaped letter and personalized couple mugs with prints of their name and faces. These things are not anything monumental or life-changing but enough to make my parents that know and feel they are loved and cared for. We then exchanged sweet nothings,Β enjoyed wearing Gumbo’s hats and took pictures with their lovely background and cozy ambiance for the rest of the night.Β π
Every year since I was in secondary school, I make a self contemplation about marriage. Looking at how my parents live life together, I learned that seriously loving someone is not much about having butterflies in the stomach or having extravagant gifts to exchange every day. Rather, being together is more about the day-to-day co-existence. It’s more about living simplyβsmiling when a message is received from the partner, laughing at inside jokes, cooking meals, serving food, watching shows, telling stories and setting directions.
When one is sad about life, unmotivated to wake up in the morning or when one is ready to give up on everything, the other should give purpose and excitement over again. I told myself I should remember all these. I must take pictures and write about them, so I’m reminded how great my parents are with everything that goes on around them.
Happy 26th Wedding Anniversary, Mommy and Daddy. We love you, always. β₯
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
The meal looks so delicious and you seem to be having so much fun judging by your smiling faces! Hugs. Vanessa
My mom chose the food we ordered, and we were lucky she made great choices. Yes, we did have a lot of fun. π Thanks, Vanessa.
Sharing of happy moments with your family. Enjoy taking good care of your loved ones. Be creative and let the beauty shine!
Exchange of great moments with each members of a family, truly memorable.
This post serves as a good reminder that we are a happy family. Celebrations should not be overlooked as well. I hope to inspire readers including those on the other side of the world. I believe this sharing can touch lives, even in the smallest of ways. π
Congrats on their anniversary! Seems like you all had a great party as a family π I too think that true love is based on friendship, hard work and dedication to each other. Butterflies is only a small phase in the beginning π
Thanks, Maya! Yeah, it was all fun that night. All stresses were vanished almost magically. π
Congratulations and belated Happy Anniversary to your parents.
Thanks, Peachy! π
wow! i love to go to Mall of Asia but have not try Gumbo yet. t
Mall of Asia is my favorite mall! π You should try Gumbo soon. It’s worth the trip.
Congratulations on your parents anniversary!!
The Gumbo’s Spaghetti Puttanesca looks totally mouth watering. I’m a big pasta lover ;9
Thanks, Sekar! π I’m by no means a pasta lover but I liked the Spaghetti Puttanesca. Maybe I’m not into the sweet taste of regular Filipino spaghetti recipes.
Gumbo with be the perf place for me as I am a pasta and pizza girl..
There are more restaurants offering better pasta and pizzas, but Gumbo is a good option. π
Congratulations! Happy Anniversary to your parents. They look like a very happy couple=)Fun party, too!
Thanks, Wena! π Yes, they are happy and I look up to them.
the place looks good and the foods are tempting, belated happy anniversary to your parents,
Thanks, Nestie. π
Well before anything else i would like to congratulate you and your parents. Giving quality time to your family and love ones will surely makes every memory last. Food trip somehow is one of the best way to bond with family. I enjoy your post..
Thanks, SilayTambayan. π We love to eat and this is definitely the place to do it. <3
this looks like everyone had a blast, so much fun and food, great celebration, thanks for sharing xxx
It’s my pleasure to share. Thanks, Pixie! π
happy anniversary to your parents,those dishes are looking so delicious.
They don’t only look delicious; they are delicious. π Thanks, Debarpan! π
Congrats to your parents! God bless your family.
You are lucky to have amazing parents. Make them proud and happy always. We owe a lot from them.
Nice review! I love Gumbo <3
We were actually there when we watched the Pyro.
Thanks! We also want to watch the Pyro…maybe this coming weekend. π
Happy anniversary to your parents! My parents naman will celebrate their 25th year this March. And I love love love Gumbo and their Jambalaya! π
Oh wow, advanced happy silver anniversary to your parents! Hope you’d also have a great celebration as family. π
Happy 26th to your Mom and Dad. As for the food, they all look so appetizing especially the Family Fest.
You are right. The components are all good. π Thanks, Angie!
Wow! The pizza looks so yummy! π Happy Anniversary to your parents. God Bless you and your family.
Thanks, Shekinah! God bless you, too. π
Nice to see your whole family having a good meal and having fun. You like like you’re just brothers and sisters with your dad and your mom.
Hehe yup and sometimes we’re like best friends. π
The pizza looks very good! Happy anniversary to your parents, what a great way to celebrate.
We’re happy that we can choose the flavors and not stick to one and the same taste for the pizza. Thanks, Krizia. π
I want to wish your parents “Happy Anniversary” and many more to come! Your family is a truly example of love and happiness, I just can tell and your parents look so young! Thank God that when I am reading this blog post I’m on my lunch break, the food looks amazing, makes me so hungry. π
Hugs,
Rally
Hehe a lot of people comment that they look young. You may be surprised when you learn how old they are now. Thanks, Rally! I often feel that hungry, too, while reading food posts or viewing pictures of food on lunch break. π
Happy anniversary for your parents. The food seems delicious and you had so much fun :))
Yes, we did. Thanks, Eri! π
This is so cute! Congrats to your parents! The food looks so delish especially the pizza! π
Thanks, Patricia! Best of those three dishes was the pizza. π
Belated Happy Anniversary to your parents! Cheers to more happy,loving years.
Thanks, Peachy. π
looks like everyone had fun on the event π and the food looks good too!
Good food, good times π
I agree with your concept of marriage. Being Chinese, I noticed from my parents and married relative they don’t shower each other with sweet in gestures or words but they never fall short in showing love by how well they manage life together with care, respect, cooperation, laughter and loyal companionship. I hope to find that someday too. =)
Me three! π
Wow, I haven’t tried Gumbo when I was still there in PH. I’m going home for a vacation this March and I’m going to check it out. And yes, belated happy anniversary to your mom and dad! π
Thanks, Brigitte! I don’t know if it has branches in other countries but yeah, it’s pretty big here in the Philippines. You should try when you fly back for a visit. π
I remember dining out with my husband at Gumbo – (SM NOrth EDSA Branch) on a Valentine’s Day. Keeping my fingers crossed that me and hubby will also be like your parents also. π
My prayers are with you. π