Rainy December Evening

It feels like it has been ages since I last opened the posting part of this blog. I still have been regulary reading my favorite blogs and at times nostalgically re-read my old posts. Too lazy to write but happy to say not too lazy to read ;P! hehehehe

I wish I have had the energy to write about the nice new places I have eaten in....shared the not so pleasant experiences as well. There has been a lot of changes and developments in my personal life...mostly beautiful and wonderful, I am happy to say ^_^

I just take this time to say hello and check if there are still people who check me out. So, hello dear friends, I shall be posting more regularly next year....part of my new year's resolution ;P hehehehe

For now, let us all enjoy this cozy rainy December evening, hoping that you are having a warm delicious meal alone or with your loved ones.

I had yellow cab delivered: dear darla pizza, baked potato wedges and charlie chan pasta--yummmmm! Made more yummy by the sound of the rain pouring outside ^_^

Valentines Dinner at The Establishment

Love month once again. No matter how bad the traffic gets during this Hallmark created occasion, deep down inside, all of us want to be doing something special on this day =) I guess being out on V-day reiterates in our consciousness that we are either in-love and or have a love-life =)

Well for whatever reason we are celebrating heart's day, one thing is in common...we celebrate with food!

For this year, we set our Valentines dinner on the weekend prior to Valentines, to beat the traffic on the 14Th, and we prefer to have night outs on weekends to be more relaxed. We recently discovered this new website featuring dining and other relaxation promos and got their 4-course dinner set at The Crystal Room of The Establishment.

It was our first time to dine at the Establishment, we were delighted by the ambiance, service and formality of the place...makes a perfect setting for formal or intimate dinners. However, the food did not fair as great as the place.

Php 800.00/pax 4-course Dinner with Wine

Crispy Camembert with Mixed Berries served with Warm Goat Cheese Salad

I think this was the best part of the meal. I love the contrasting textures of the cheeses and the sweet tangy salad.

Pumpkin Cappuccino

The soup was lighter than I expected it to be...was served nicely warm...tasty.

His Main Course: Pan Seared US Beef Tenderloin with Lychee Truffle Sauce

He was a bit disappointed by the portion of his entree, though the beef was nicely cooked, he didn't like the Lychee truffle sauce.

My Main Course: Hainanesse Salmon with Teriyaki Rice

The Salmon with ginger sauce was nicely cooked and flavorful, I just didn't feel the rice complimented the Salmon. I would have liked it better if they made the rice like the traditional Hainasse style, which would make the entire interpretation of the dish more elegant and refined in flavors. It tasted good, but it just struck me as rice box-ish kinda rice, sorry.

Pistachio de Lupe

The house specialty dessert. Crepes, layered with pistachios and cream...it was nice =)

Over all, we still found the experience very enjoyable. The service and ambiance was indeed wonderful. We were told that for the month of February, the guest chef is Chef Hum Uy de Baron. I have tried a private dinner by Chef Him , and was delighted by the experience, that is why I wanted to know if by being guest Chef at the Establishment, did they mean Chef Him is actually there to over-see the kitchen and prepare the courses? If so, I am truly disappointed. Or, by being guest Chef, he just designedd the dinner? Perhaps the failure could be by the execution of the in-house chef's of the establishment. I wasn't able to investigate that night..hehehe nevertheless....it was a beautiful Valentines dinner because of the person I am with =)

a surprise for me......^_^

HAPPY VALENTINES TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pamana, Tagaytay

Filipino comfort food, makes for a perfect meal on a cool-crisp weather. That's what we thought when we headed for Pamana Restaurant on a recent get Tagaytay get-a-away. A great choice it turned out to be =)

Pamana is owned by the Ongpauco family, who are also responsible for the famous Barrio Fiesta restaurants.

I adored the rustic al-fresco setting of the place with a rustic Spanish-time feel to it. The menu was as interesting as the place. Spanish-Filipino treasured recipes by the family are featured.

3-ways Adobo

Chicken adobo, crispy adobo flakes and pork adobo trio. We loved each rendition. The chicken was like fried chicken with a garlicky gravy sauce, the most un-

usual adobo I have had, nonetheless delicious. They were all flavorful and delicious...with plenty of steamed rice =)

Zamboanga's Piyanggang Manok

Chicken simmered in coconut milk. I have never had this kind of dish before, but it was delightfully different. Think chicken curry sans the curry.

La Paz Batchoy

As I do not fancy bulalo, we just ordered some la paz batchoy. Piping hot, and rich tasting with all the innards, chicharon and egg noodle flavors melding together! Yum!!!

A little treasure box holding the bill...cute! =) The nice part...it was actually cheap!
Delightful Filipino food, reasonably priced with a good ambiance to boot! A comeback is a must.

Pamana Restaurant

Tagaytay City

Chef Tatung's Private Dining

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL YOU FOOD LOVER'S OUT THERE!!!=)

Gosh! It feels like it has been ages since I blogged about something! I soooo missed this....because I was sooooo lazy! hahahaha

I am back and for my for my first 2011 post, I share with you our dining experience at the home of Chef Tatung.

Dinners at his place is by reservation only, and they have a changed set menu, so do call ahead to check what he has in-store for the night (the number is at the end of this post).

Freshly Baked Bread

hmmm... a bit gummy...not of my liking..sorry

Spinach Soup with Fresh Dill and Sour Cream

It would have been better with less salt and if it was hot. The dill was refreshing.

Grilled Scampi, Beets, Feta Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

I love the salad as it was very fresh and the dressing was lovely. The scampi had a nice flavor but a tad bit salt.

Two Ways Chicken: Grilled Chicken Breast and Chicken Ravioli

The chicken breast was nice. but the ravioli had some gritty bits in the filling. I like the freshness and crunch of the beans =)

Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Icing

Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. Chef Tatung is very warm to the customers and always visits each guest table to introduce the dish presented, which was very nice. Our server was very nice and cordial. You feel that they care for their food and service. I would come back still to try Chef Tatung's other menu. The food was ok, and for Php 500.00 for a set dinner, I would recommend it for a unique dining experience.

Chef Tatung's Private Dining

#17 Matipid St. Sikatuna Village

0915-8463234