STARS IN BUSINESS
Cesar Montano's “Beautiful Restaurant”
By Tinna Bonifacio

Cesar Montano is a rough, tough action star onscreen. He has also directed and produced films, and paints as a hobby. But his latest venture is something far removed from show business, but which he is just as passionate about—his Italian restaurant called Bellissimo, which in English, literally means “very beautiful”.

The restaurant, which is managed by Cesar's daughter Angela, takes up two apartment units along Scout Castor street cornerTomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City, a stone's throw away from the two major television networks, ABS-CBN and GMA-7.Thus, it has become a favorite watering hole for showbiz folk. Regular patrons include Kris Aquino, who loves Bellissimo's aglio olio (garlic and olive oil) pasta and gelato (ice cream), which is made fresh daily. Another recent visitor was Hollywood film director Quentin Tarantino, who was inManila for the 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival. Cesar, who's a fan of Tarantino, invited the Pulp Fiction director to sample Bellissimo's offerings in a private dinner.

Aside from the occasional celebrity visit, Bellissimo also regularly hosts showbiz-related gatherings; the press conference for the grand finals of Pinoy Mano-Mano, which Cesar hosted, was held there. The guests raved over the food, particularly the pizzas, which are baked in a brick and wood-fired oven, thus preserving the authentic Italian flavor.

Cesar says the restaurant was an offshoot of his regular trips to Italy, where his sister lives. He has been making annual visits there for the last 13 years. “I always enjoy the food whenever I go there. Masarap talaga ang pagkain, and I wanted to bring back that same kind of experience to the Philippines. So tuwing nagpupunta ako doon, nagtatanong-tanong ako, nag-o-observe ako ng pagluluto, at 'yon, dahan-dahan, natuto ako,” he says.

When he's not busy with his showbiz commitments (he's currently preparing to star in a new series for ABS-CBN, Palos, a remake of the series of films originally popularized by Charlene Gonzales's father Bernard Bonnin in the 1960s), Cesar can be foundat the restaurant, where he not only entertains patrons, but also cooks himself. “Oo, nagluluto ako,” he says. “I love eating, and I also love cooking. I actually enjoy it.”