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New owner reopens Denair’s Oasis Grill
Papa V's Oasis Grill 1
Papa V’s Oasis Grill and Deli owner Vladimir Garces and his fiancée Tina Verceles are serving up longtime favorites, as well as new Asian-inspired dishes at the Denair eatery (JOE CORTEZ/The Journal).

Name of business: Papa V’s Oasis Grill and Deli

Type of business: Mediterranean, Filipino, American restaurant

Location: 4332 Main St., Denair

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Contact: 209-656-9947

 

History of business:

Fans of the popular Oasis Grill need not worry — their favorite eatery is in good hands.

New owner Vladimir Garces, a native of Manila, has 24 years of experience in the food-service industry. He and fiancée Tina Verceles, also originally from Manila, left their home in San Francisco and purchased the Oasis from long-time owner Sonia Odicho.

“We were doing our research, seeing how we could start a business,” said Garces. “And this is the one we came up with.”

Sure, there’s been a name change — it’s now called Papa V’s Oasis Grill and Deli — and the menu has been updated, but fans of the original Oasis can still find many of their old favorites.

“It will be a mix,” said Garces. “We’ll still be offering some of the best sellers, like gyros and chicken pizza and the Wow Salad.”

But there will also be an Asian twist on the menu.

Garces, who earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Perpetual Help in the Philippines, has worked at establishments in the Philippines, Singapore and Dubai.

Papa V’s will serve chow mien, rice bowls, lumpia and other Asian specialties, including halo-halo, the wildest dessert drink you’ve ever seen.

Made with ice cream, milk, coconut, Rice Krispies, candied fruit and corn, it looks like a rainbow in a cup.

Right now, the restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. But Garces is considering offering breakfast each day from 6 to 7 a.m.

“Right now, it’s only Tina and me,” said Garces. “So that will have to come later.”

But so far, according to Garces, the response from the community has been positive.

“They love us for what we’ve done,” said Garces, who took over on June 1 and opened for business on June 5. “We’ve created a clean, colorful, lively atmosphere.”