Rendezvous reopens with affordable menu

Rendezvous International Cuisine has pivoted to offering a la carte items that could very well be the most bang for your buck on island. (Mark Rabago)

Rendezvous International Cuisine first opened on March 12. A few days later the island went into semi-lockdown to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Owners Marvin Deocares, Boy Ching, and Leo Canedo, however, are undeterred and reopened the new restaurant atop Saipan Vegas along Beach Road in Chalan Kiya late last month.

Instead of their daily lunch buffet, Rendezvous has pivoted to offering a la carte items that could very well be the most bang for your buck on island.

For instance, its steak and lobster combo costs only $32.95 and includes a slab of New York steak and lobster tail served with sauteed mixed vegetables, steamed rice, and iced tea.

Bacon-wrapped fillet mignon ($22.95), lobster tail ($19.95), and ribeye steak ($19.95) are also on the menu along with New York steak and grilled short ribs, which, at $14.95 each, feels like Rendezvous is practically giving them away.

Rendezvous’ $14.95 New York steak. (Mark Rabago)

House specialties like savory chicken, pata tim, stir fry beef oyster sauce, lechon kawali, and spicy buffalo wings are also in the revamped menu and ranges in price from $10.95 to $14.95.

“All come with steamed rice and iced tea for free. You cannot really get a better deal than that,” according to Deocares.

Looking for something a bit light? Rendezvous also has you covered with their short order menu that includes Hawaiian poke, butterfly squid, calamari, beef fajita wraps, hot & sour honeycomb tripe, and beef bagbagis (crispy deep fried beef intestine), among others.

Rendezvous currently has a bucket beer promo, where you can order five cans or six bottles of domestic beer for just $18.

Rendezvous’ $14.95 savory chicken. (Mark Rabago)

Deocares admits that the COVID-19 hit their newly opened restaurant hard as they were forced to shutter their doors days after opening. Even when they reopened last month, it was only on the weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). What sustained them during the lean restart was they were always booked for special events like birthday parties, christenings, and the likes.

“Of course we practiced social distancing but since our venue is so large, it’s easy to fit 50 or more people at Rendezvous,” said Deocares. Rendezvous has an original seating capacity of 200 people.

To adhere to the government’s COVID-19 safety protocols, all Rendezvous staff wear masks and gloves. They also get their temperatures checked before going on duty. For diners, staff also check their temperature and write their names and contact information. Tables and chairs are far apart and directional arrows have also become a norm.

Rendezvous International Cuisine is now open daily for lunch, 11am-2pm, and dinner, 6pm-9pm. For more information and for reservations, call 235-444 or you can also reach Rendezvous through their Facebook page.