Maria’s cozy nook

What was initially targeted to cater to the business process outsourcing employees has now become the go-to place of many foodies—and for a good reason.
Its fancy interiors, welcoming vibe and mouth-watering dishes are more than enough reason to drive individuals to this casual dining nook located on the ground floor of Il Centro, at the Sta. Lucia Mall in Cainta.
Aptly called Maria’s, this cozy nook caters to almost anyone who looks forward to having a “feel good” meal no matter what time of the day.
“In every Filipino home, there is always a Maria. It’s a famous name that almost everyone knows at least someone who has a Maria in her name. We thought that giving the restaurant a name that one could easily identify or relate to is practical and wise,” said one of the owners, Vince Medina.
The one at Il Centro, however, managed to capture a diverse set of diners, which included seniors coming in for breakfast, the office workers during lunch breaks, and for dinner, families and friends who are into the casual dining scene.
“At Il Centro, Maria’s was able to capture a different market. Here, diners are always in big groups, mostly families. Maybe it’s the overall look and design that made Maria’s truly appealing,” Medina related.
“It’s young, colorful, and straight to the point. The food is nothing fancy—it’s really a no-frills resto that offers a comfortable ambience and great food selection. Once you go inside, the first thing that would capture your attention would be the interiors. The overall feel is very youthful, from the pieces of furniture that come in different colors down to the way our tables are set up,” he added.
Maria’s interiors feature various colors and textures, all of which are targeted to add more life and evoke a warm atmosphere that can make one’s dining experience truly memorable. The way the items were mixed and matched is interesting as well.
“There’s color everywhere, and the interiors were finished with mostly wood and stone to give Maria’s a homey feel. There are also lots of TV monitors that show various channels like Food Network, CNN, so that diners are entertained while waiting for their food. We have breakfast, lunch, dinner and after—we are a complete package,” Medina concluded.