The Birth of La Mesa Resto Bar
In the bustling Wuchang District of Wuhan, China, Cherrie Lou Angeles, a native of Bataan in the Philippines, created a home away from home for Filipinos through her restaurant, La Mesa Resto Bar. Together with her Chinese husband, Francis, she opened the restaurant in September 2023, aiming to introduce authentic Filipino cuisine to a city known for its love of spicy dishes.
Despite initial skepticism from others, Angeles forged ahead, believing in the power of Filipino food to win hearts. “How will they know if they don’t try Filipino food, diba?” she remarked.
A Rising Star in Wuhan’s Food Scene
More than a year later, La Mesa has become a favorite destination not just for homesick Filipinos but also for locals and international diners. The restaurant offers catering services for universities, schools, and private events, drawing repeat customers like Rochelle Cayetano, a Filipino teacher at Wuhan Yangtze International School.
Cayetano praises La Mesa for its authentic flavors, listing kare-kare, sisig, and lumpia shanghai as her personal favorites. “The food and service were excellent. Even the kids and coaches loved it,” she shared.
La Mesa’s dishes, including adobo, empanada, and pancit, have also captivated Americans, Africans, and Mexicans. Angeles beams with pride every time customers rave about Filipino food, saying, “My heart swells because other races get to experience our cuisine.”
From Waitress to Entrepreneur
Angeles’ journey to success wasn’t straightforward. Originally a nursing graduate, her dreams of working in Canada shifted when she moved to Singapore in 2013 and found work as a waitress. There, she met her future husband, Francis, a chef. They married, started a family, and eventually moved to China.
Living in a rural area in Fujian, Angeles yearned for independence and started a travel agency promoting Philippine destinations. In 2019, she began planning her restaurant but faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2022, armed with savings of RMB 100,000 (around Php 800,000), she signed a lease for her restaurant and transformed a former real estate office into La Mesa.
Building a Filipino Haven
Angeles overcame countless challenges to bring her vision to life. She sourced budget-friendly furniture, built a kitchen from scratch, and worked tirelessly with her husband to serve customers. Initially relying on promotional pricing to attract diners, their strategy paid off as word spread about La Mesa’s authentic Filipino dishes.
By December 2023, they launched a catering service and expanded into frozen goods like longganisa, tocino, and tapa, leveraging China’s efficient shipping system to deliver dishes as far as Beijing.
A Filipino Christmas in Wuhan
For the holidays, La Mesa is spreading Filipino Christmas cheer with festive menus featuring lechon belly, embutido, kare-kare, and a variety of desserts like mango graham cake and leche flan. On December 25, they’ll host a Christmas buffet for RMB 108 (Php 864), welcoming diners to experience a truly Filipino celebration.
Lessons in Resilience
Angeles attributes her success to determination, adaptability, and humility. She listens to customer feedback, constantly innovates her menu, and embraces the challenges of running a business in a foreign country.
“Never give up. Just go. Move forward despite criticisms. Be humble and listen so you can resolve problems quickly,” Angeles advises.
A Bright Future for Filipino Cuisine
For loyal customers like Cayetano, La Mesa is more than a restaurant—it’s a beacon of Filipino culture and warmth. “Cherrie is hardworking and very Filipino in her approach. La Mesa’s service is personal, making everyone feel at home,” Cayetano shared.
As Angeles dreams of expanding La Mesa to other parts of China, she remains committed to her mission: to share the joy and comfort of Filipino food with the world.
