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San Juan eats: Choi Garden takes over Greenhills branch of Gloria Maris

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Jeeves de Veyra

<p>MANILA -- The Greenhills branch of Gloria Maris Shark&#x27;s Fin Restaurant has always been known for its elegance and fine dining Chinese food. </p><p>This expansive building on the periphery of the Greenhills Shopping Center is a landmark seeing countless baptisms, birthdays, wedding receptions, and Sunday family gatherings celebrated within its walls.</p><p>This year, this venerable institution of Chinese food sees itself reinvigorated as the Lao family, owners of Choi Garden, takes over the management of the restaurant.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Janica Lao poses at the entrance of Gloria Maris in Greenhills. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;It was an opportunity for us as the owners of the Greenhills branch were set to retire,” explained Janica Lao, the young chief operating officer of the Choi Garden group, who considers Gloria Maris&#x27; asado and the salt and pepper crab as her personal favorites.</p><p>But Lao was quick to note that the two restaurants cater to different customers.</p><p>“We didn&#x27;t really see Gloria Mars as a competitor because we know that they cater to a different market. Since the acquisition, we’ve noticed that there a lot of Filipinos who come here to eat which was something completely different from the market of Choi’s. In Choi’s Garden, it&#x27;s the Chinese and Chinese-Filipinos are living in the area,” she said.</p><p>With this in mind, Yao stressed that Gloria Maris and Choi Garden will have their own distinct personalities and that their menus will remain independent. For instance, one won’t find Choi Garden’s famous Sweet and Sour Pork here. </p><p>Gloria Maris is synonymous to quality seafood dishes like the Taro Baskets with Prawn Scallop, Salt and Pepper Shrimp generously topped with fried garlic, and the Steamed Alpahap with Taoso, a Chinese version of fermented bean paste.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Taro Basket with Prawn Scallop.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Shrimp with Garlic.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-4.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Oysters.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/220200311-gloria-maris-5.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Alpahap with Taoso.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The Peking Duck, naturally, is always a hit at celebrations.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-6.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Peking Duck. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The Lechon Macao’s skin is extra crispy with succulent meat. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-7.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Lechon Macao. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>A Chinese celebration isn’t complete without symbolic dishes representing wealth and long life.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-8.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Cha Misua. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Since taking over at the start of the year, Yao and her team have been hard at work improving the flavors and adding new entrees to the Gloria Maris menu. Of note are the meat entrees like the Black Pepper Beef, and the Lamb Chops served with a side of mint jelly.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-9.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Black Pepper Beef.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-10.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Lamb Chops.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>On the healthier side, the menu also has entrees like this Spinach Tofu with abalone sauce.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-11.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Tofu with Abalone.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Even Frank Lao, the patriarch of the family, has already stamped his mark on the menu. Frank’s Rice is a fried rice dish with sauce, which can pass off as a meal in itself as it is fully loaded with bits of meat and quail eggs which the wait staff mixes in front of diners as it is served.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-12.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Frank&#x27;s Rice.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>For dessert, Gloria Maris’ Almond Shake with fresh mango bits is a cool refreshing take on the traditional almond jelly.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/03/11/20200311-gloria-maris-13.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Almond shake with mango. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The takeover is really about the Lao family bringing their operational expertise to improve Gloria Maris. </p><p>When two big names specializing in Chinese food come together, it is indeed cause for celebration.</p><p>Gloria Maris Shark&#x27;s Fin Restaurant is located on Missouri Street, Greenhills Shopping Center and is open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.</p>

<p>The Greenhills branch of Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant has always been known for its elegance and fine dining Chinese food. This year, the Lao family, owners of Choi Garden, takes over the management of the restaurant.</p>

The Greenhills branch of Gloria Maris Shark's Fin Restaurant has always been known for its elegance and fine dining Chinese food. This year, the Lao family, owners of Choi Garden, takes over the management of the restaurant.