A Taste of Home at Calle Arco Restaurant, Pagsanjan

By Marie. October 14, 2025

An 80+ Year Old Ancestral House Turned Restaurant

In the heart of Pagsanjan, Laguna stands a beautiful tribute to Filipino heritage — Calle Arco Restaurant. Nestled within an 80+-year-old ancestral home, this charming dining spot has been lovingly preserved and transformed into a space where tradition meets flavor.

From the moment I stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia swept over me. The wooden floors, capiz windows, and timeless architecture instantly transported me to my hometown, Iloilo City, where century-old heritage houses still stand with quiet dignity. Calle Arco reminded me of those serene streets lined with ancestral homes, each one whispering stories of the past.

A Fleeting Recollection

Deep in my memory stirred a fleeting recollection: I once lived in such a house, though briefly. Born in Iloilo, I spent a few years with my father in Bacolod City, in a bahay na bato nestled among sugarcane fields. We occupied only the ground floor — the house was far too large for just the four of us - my mom, my paternal grandma, dad and me. I remember looking out the windows and seeing banana trees nearby, and beyond them, endless rows of sugarcane. My parents separated when I was seven, and with that, my memories of the bahay na bato faded — the capiz shells, the grand windows, the wooden walls, the tiled floors.

With the gracious owner, Ronaldo Cabrera, who welcomed us into his beautifully preserved 80+ year-old ancestral home turned restaurant.

Heritage Dining

What truly sets Calle Arco apart is its devotion to authenticity. The restaurant serves classic Filipino dishes prepared with heart and respect for tradition. From the rich, nutty kare-kare to the tangy comfort of sinigang, every bite felt like a warm embrace — food that doesn’t just fill the stomach, but nourishes the soul.