A Filipino couple who spent more than a decade in Bahrain returned home with a suitcase full of memories ... and a menu to match.
Now settled in the cool highlands of Baguio City, the pair have opened a restaurant serving up Bahraini favourites, bringing a flavourful slice of the kingdom to the Philippines.
Husband and wife duo Ansarie Marin and Angelica Marin have recently opened Bahraini restaurant, ‘Bistro 973’, which has quickly become a popular dining option among both locals and Arab tourists.
Mr Marin, 37, is currently the restaurant’s executive chef and Ms Marin, 34, is its operations manager.
Speaking to the GDN, Ms Marin stated that the couple consider Bahrain a very special place for both of them, not only because it is where they met and fell in love, but also because it is where their son, Rohi, now five-years-old, was born.
“Bahrain was amazing and remains truly our ‘second home’,” she said. “Life was simple, well balanced and opportunities were great and we found a wonderful community through the Bahrain Christian Fellowship.
“Ansarie and I met in Bahrain, got married there, and our son, Rohi, was also born there. It is also where our professional skills were truly honed.
“By bringing Bahraini flavours to the Philippines through Bistro 973, we are bringing our second home to our first home.
“We realised this was a great venture because so many overseas Filipino workers, once based in Bahrain, have returned home for good and many students, raised in the Middle East, have come home to study and they all crave that authentic Bahraini taste of cuisine.”
Mr Marin spent 11 years in Bahrain, where he worked as a Chef de Partie at the Interior Ministry’s Officer’s Club. Ms Marin, meanwhile, worked in sales and marketing, and then later as secretary to the director and chief executive of Almoayyed Contracting Group.
After more than a decade in the kingdom, they moved back to their home country. Baguio City is becoming increasingly popular among Gulf nationals, particularly for education, tourism, and as a cool-climate retreat.
Many Arab students, particularly from countries like Saudi Arabia, visit for English language studies due to lower costs, while others are drawn to the city’s unique, temperate and multicultural atmosphere.
The couple initially wanted to open a coffee shop, but given Mr Marin’s expertise in Arabic cuisine, they were instead inspired to open a specialised restaurant serving Bahraini food.
They called it ‘Bistro 973’, bistro meaning ‘small restaurant’ and ‘973’ being the international telephone calling code for Bahrain.
“Ansarie’s experience at the Interior Ministry truly honed his culinary skills under the leadership of chefs such as Khadija Kahlil, Othman Basyouni and Mohammed Jubarrah,” said Ms Marin. “He is deeply passionate about bringing that authentic Bahraini taste here to the Philippines.
“I, on the other hand, was inspired by my previous mentor at the Almoayyed Contracting Group, including Manil Thomas. I learned first-hand how to think like a chief executive, how to handle conflicts, make critical business decisions and understand the vital importance of filing and documentation.
“I was also greatly inspired by Hala Almoayyed, who showed me how successful women can be as entrepreneurs.”
They began operating the restaurant in October, 2024, and started very small serving only karak, shawarma, and mandi rice in a 25sqm space.
Since then, they have doubled their floor space and expanded their menu to include a variety of authentic dishes, including samboosa with cheese, chicken Musakhan, and potato.
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Shawarma, specialising in local favourite malgoom, and Arabic-style Biryani, have also proven to be popular options, alongside chicken and lamb mandi, broasted chicken, bechamel and Kunafa.
The restaurant also occasionally offers discounts and produces celebratory meals on occasions such as Bahrain National Day in December. They currently also have an iftar service for the holy month of Ramadan.
“Filipinos absolutely love it!” said Ms Marin. “Even those without prior exposure to Arabic cuisine have proven to be gastronomic adventurers.
“I read a news article last year stating that the Philippines is currently in its ‘Biryani era.’
“While Pakistani restaurants initially introduced biryani here in Baguio, many locals have grown to love the specific Arabic-style biryani we serve.
“Mandi, with jarjir salad and daqoos sauce is also fast moving.
“Our shawarma is a big hit, especially the malgoom, and we have gained many loyal customers who keep coming back for the ever-comforting chai karak.
“We have become the top choice for Arab expatriates in Baguio City looking to satisfy their cravings.
“Many Saudi students taking English courses here have become our friends and regulars and we have a partnership to provide student meals during their class days.
“We even have a Bahraini customer, Mr Faisal, who is currently staying in Baguio. His favourites are our shawarma and bechamel.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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