Casa Manila opens on The Danforth

Casa Manila opens on The Danforth

Casa Manila owners Mila and Rizalde Cuachon with their staff

By Michelle Chermaine Ramos
The Philippine Reporter

On Sunday October 23, 2022, Casa Manila celebrated the opening of its new branch at 508 Danforth Ave in the heart of Greektown in Toronto.

Mila and Rizalde Cuachon opened their first location at 879 York Mills Road where they introduced the concept of kamayan dining in North America in 2012. They first thought of starting the business when Mila’s Canadian friends wanted to taste Filipino food and she realized there were no restaurants in Toronto that offered the same ambiance and dining experience she enjoyed at traditional Filipino restaurants back home.

A giant bowl of halo halo

When she observed how Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine began to boom across Canada, she decided it was time to promote Philippine cuisine in Toronto by veering away from the typical carinderia style setup. First impressions are crucial especially for foreign diners. Mila’s eye for design is reflected in Casa Manila’s food presentation and interiors. By serving only beautifully plated, freshly cooked food that guests can enjoy in a stylish yet cozy setting, their overall dining experience is elevated. Being health-conscious, Mila also designed their menu to use less salt and oil, no MSG, and they also offer vegan versions of traditional favorites. “We have our own way of cooking. It’s called the nature to nurture philosophy. The least we tamper with mother nature’s goodness in the food we eat, the more it will nurture our bodies,” she explained. “We’re not allowed to use any flavor packs because we have no control of the ingredients. Everything has to be freshly cooked.”

Compared to the larger York Mills location’s cozy and more traditional Filipino décor, the new branch on the Danforth has a more modern urban chic aesthetic accented with accessories and lighting fixtures that have a hint of the tropics. Considering the state of the economy since the pandemic, Mila also came up with a more affordable option for foodies to discover and enjoy Filipino food.

They also offer the same kamayan sets as in their York Mills location

While all dishes at the York Mills location are prepared from scratch only when you order, a new addition to the Danforth location is their traditional turo-turo counter where you can order some ready- to-eat meals Filipino fast-food style if you’re on a budget or in a hurry. Otherwise, you can also order other items fresh a carte from their extensive menu. Dish sizes and weights are the same at both locations so diners can enjoy the same generous servings that Casa Manila is known for at both locations.

While the York Mills location has always had vegan menu options, Mila announced that the Danforth location’s vegan options almost make up 50 percent of the menu. The larger York Mills location has always been a popular venue for private parties such as christenings, birthdays, etc. and the new Danforth branch is also taking orders for catering and party reservations and can comfortably seat up to 34 people inside and 8 outside.

Mila tells how Casa Manila on the Danforth came to be. After many months of running their restaurant during the pandemic when things were not getting any easier with the uncertainty of the Covid situation and inflation, the idea of  retiring somehow came into the minds of Mila and her husband. Ridiculous, unthinkable, some kind of a joke, knowing how passionate the husband-wife entrepreneurs have been about their enterprise, some of the guests at the opening thought.

However, one day, Mila was on her bike in the Danforth Avenue neighbourhood, a place where she felt so much at home, having resided there at one time. All of a sudden, she got a text from somewhere about the availability of a space for rent on the restaurant strip, which she checked out immediately, After a cursory look, she fell in love with the location and she thought it was ideal for a second home for her kind of a restaurant.

She contacted her realtor and after a span of 48 hours, she made an offer right away. A spiritual woman, she believes that her decision was a leap of faith, and seeing the place finally completed according to how she visualized itand she knew there was no turning back.

As Mila explained about her restaurant’s new location, she shared with her guests her vision: a restaurant where she can proudly bring Filipino cuisine to a famous Toronto dining destination; offer affordable meals by introducing “turo-turo” style of serving Casa Manila dishes but still making available her cook-as-you-order dishes; and create vegetarian and vegan versions of Filipino traditional delicacies while still making available seafood and meat dishes.

Conveniently located within walking distance of both Chester station and Pape station on the subway line, Casa Manila on the Danforth has the makings of a popular dining spot for Torontonians of all cultures who want a taste of Filipino cuisine on this famous and trendy restaurant strip in Toronto.

Mila Nabor Cuachon explained the culinary history of Filipino food

Casa Manila owners Mila Nabor Cuachon and Zaldy Cuachon with guests outside Casa Manila on the Danforth

From left: Loida Cox, Zaldy Cuachon , Lilac Caña and Mila Nabor Cuachon.