A Year Older in Old Manila.

It is always a sweet gesture when your honey throws a surprise party for you. I think that the effort to choose the menu, invite all your dearest friends and make sure that no one spills the beans is a tough job.

In this case, my hero is CYT who organized the birthday party for LT last Saturday at Old Manila. It was dark and cozy when I arrived. The lights were dimmed and people were sort of whispering. It was fun and exciting while waiting for the celebrant to arrive.

And when he finally did, how shocked he was that all his close friends were there to celebrate his birthday. He looked so happy and grateful to everyone that was present, especially to his wife who handled it all for him.

The food was taken cared of by Stephanie Chong, events manager of the Peninsula and everyone was very vocal about how good it was. I liked the desserts most. (wink wink)

To LT, thank you for being born and for marrying CYT. If you hadn't, we would have missed a truly great evening of good company, plenty laughs and delicious food.

The real reason to party.

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y!!!!!!

Old Manila with a New Chef and Menu!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I have a friend named Markus Tauwald who is somewhat new to the country. Only been here for 6 months and is still in the middle of furnishing his apartment. But being new here is something you might hard to believe when you get to know him. He is considered one of the VVIP's in a few establishments and has about a million friends in the Philippines already. He sometimes knows the streets of Makati better than me. Shame on me, I know.

When Steffie told me that the hotel has a new chef and that he is cute, I didn't think "Chris O'Donnel" look-a-like would become one of my best friends. But I am glad that he did because this guy is all about fun, laughter and stories about interesting experiences in Switzerland, Maldives, Bangkok, and everywhere around Europe where he worked at an early age. 

Chef Markus Tauwald is from Bavaria, Germany. At 25, it amazes me that he holds the title of Chef de Cuisine of one of the most prestigious and expensive restaurants in the country. Old Manila at The Peninsula is now serving modern European cuisine that Markus had created.

Last week, my cousin from the US visited. Janina and I decided to treat him to Old Manila because we were quite excited to taste the new menu the restaurant has to offer. 

First, I say, if and when you want to eat in OM, make sure you are prepared to spend but believe me, it is worth every centavo. Bon Appetite!

Black and white truffle soup with parmesan shortbread is P680.00


Seared tuna loin snow pea sprouts, cauliflower and truffle dressing is P640.00


Trio of foie gras of ginger-honey parfait, cognac-balsamic reduction and pineapple-pear relish is P1,350

Roasted rack of Lamb with baby artichokes Rubik potato and Madeira reduction is P1,800


The Rubik potato looks too artistic to eat.


The best sorbet I have ever had, Cinnamon and Apple flavor. YUM!



Truffle-crusted milk-fed Dutch veal rib eye with couscous, roasted parsnips and red chard leaves is P1,900



The Chef and the gang.



The Peninsula Manila
Old Manila
(632) 8123456
www.peninsula.com.ph

Cris R. wears a Kamiseta in Old Manila!

A dinner I am not likely to forget happened at 7:00 pm on 07-07-07. Cris R invited very close family and a handful of friends as she celebrated her birthday at Old Manila. As I entered the room, 800 dozens of red roses were beautifully arranged in the very intimate fine dining restaurant of The Peninsula Manila. Candles were lit and the table set up was breathtaking. All thanks to the very able hands of Zenas Pineda, event stylist. She made sure that the celebrant and guests were surrounded by utmost beauty and opulence.


Stephanie Chong, Events Manager of Peninsula and Mitch Zepeda, Outlet Manager of Old Manila took care of the menu, service and set up of the whole event. They went through a lot of obstacles to make the evening a success but as expected, it was pure perfection. The food was extremely delicious, the waiters were very attentive and even Executive Chef Adam Mathis was around to make sure that everything was in order. Bravo Peninsula!



Celebrity stylist, Eric Pe Benito coordinated everything from the celebrants hair and make up, hiring Zenas, the surprise performers and the ordering of the birthday cake from no other than Penk Ching. A job well done. Below is a photo of Eric with hair stylist Roman, who did Cris' hair in a tight bun to show off her natural beauty and flawless skin but most especially the dangling earrings that Jul B. Dizon Jewellery made especially for her. She completed her stunning look with a red off the shoulder t-shirt and long ruffled white skirt from wherelse, Kamiseta. She was a sight to behold and I am sure that everyone in the room felt the same way, especially hubby Gunn who could not stop looking at his wifey.


After the scrumptious dinner, we all headed down to Garcia-Villa function room for a surprise Eric had prepared for Cris' guests. Once again, Zenas dressed the room up with fresh red roses and white painted twig trees with blue lights illuminating them. The dessert was served here and if you know me, this is what I believe heaven looks like. Two huge tables of nothing but sweet goodness that makes me have a sugar rush just by looking. I was good though....only had a small cup of pannacotta topped with fresh and sweet mangoes and chocolate shavings. Seriously, can you blame me?


Tenor Nolyn Cabahug and soprano Rachel Gerodias serenaded us with songs from Broadway. Their powerful voices left such an impact in me that I had dreamt about being an opera singer that same night. Although in my dream, I only had one audience. It was my nanny who was in a hurry to get out because she has to do my laundry. Great, so much for my singing career.


The very beautiful daughter of Cris, Alex was looking very chic in her red and white stripped t-shirt dress. Watch out guys, this cutie will surely cause many ouchy hearts.


Happy Birthday to you Cris. Thank you for allowing me to become part of your life. Your friendship means a whole lot to me and I hope it is one that will last for the rest of our lives.

By the way..... Eric gave me some of your flower arrangements to put in my store's window. This was after we were informed that the hotel would dispose all the flowers that same night. I just couldn't bear the thought of throwing away such beauty. Hihihi..hope you don't mind.



The Peninsula Manila
(632) 8123456

It's so ZARAp!!! (Part 2)

Now for the good stuff. The food, drinks and my friends at the ZARA event at Rockwell.

The Peninsula catered the show handled by no other than the greatest Events Manager, Stephanie Chong. Truffle filled with icecream served on a bed of crushed ice, pecan tarts (my favorite), Camembert cheese on Italian cracker with fig, parma ham wrapped in Old Manila grissini sticks and other delicious treats were served alongside the overflowing glasses of champagne and orange juice. The outcome? 3 pounds and an inch at the waist. THANKS a LOT Steffie.




The fountain was transforned into a stage and the DJ's playground. White drapes hung on the ceiling that created a tent-like enclosure. Playful colors of lights played around against the white cloth that matched the chairs that were sprawled out on the floor area. BEEAAUUTIFUL work. I told Steffie that I had to get Sunday Alcaraz, who was also responsible for the set up of the fashion show, to do my future events but I was told that he is exclusive to Store Specialists, Inc. How snobby!!! Now, I want to hire him even more! BRAVO Sunday!




White lit up balls were scattered everywhere and added a real modern touch to the whole set up. They had this cutest ice bucket that I have ever seen. When I get married, I would totally have this on my gift list that one of you MUST get for me. Deal? DEAL!!!


Outside, about 15 drummers were doing their act and was amazing how they can coordinate with one another despite all the other noise around them. They were all in white and danced as they beat their assorted percussions. Another must for me to make note of for my future parties.

Good friends, talent scout-Pia Campos, Miss Earth 2005-Priscilla Meirelles and Annabelle Chavez of Naturalizer were around to enjoy the evening.


One of the best make-up artist in the country, Mr. Patrick Roxas, who is sooooo slim now poses with yours truly, his new cover girl for his upcoming book (Hihihihi, I wish).


Ok, now for a promise that I made to a friend...here goes:


The beautiful, talented, funny, SINGLE model/actress Wilma Doesnt was there to grace the occasion. She was all smile and ever so gracious as she posed for me and my overused red Sony Cybershot. Wilma Does-it again! ( I am sure she gets that a lot)

So to those who care to know that I say about this experience of mine, do the ff:

1. Hold a party
2. Hire Sunday to set it up, if you dare (he's exclusive remember?)
3. Get Steffie to cater (just don't do it on a Sunday, that's her dog day)
4. Go to Zara and buy a great outfit
5. Invite Wilma for a guaranteed good time (Wholesome fun lang, silly!)

ZARA
Rockwell, Glorietta, Shangri-la
Mall of Asia, among others...

The Peninsula Manila
Stephanie Chong
(632) 8123456
www.peninsula.com
stephaniechong@peninsula.com