Tastes of heaven
Warm greetings to my dear loyal readers! It is a brand new year so let’s try to give only our very best and hope it gets better, too, for the country as a whole.
The multi-awarded Tivoli restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila was the hands-down choice for an intimate dinner for close friends hosted by yours truly. I thank the culinary creativity of Tivoli executive sous chef Remi Vercelli for creating a seven-course French menu that titillated the palate and thrilled the consummate gourmand in me and my guests. Let me just name a few of the exquisite dishes: hot-balloon of scallop flambé with “pastis de Marseille” and pan-fried foie gras, duck magret “Waldorf style” and liquid nitrogen mint meringue. Not to forget is the piece de resistance — white chocolate pumpkin surprise, which simply left my guests awestruck. Credit also goes to food and beverage director Chico Angeles and restaurant manager Anna Rint for creating the total luxury dining experience. Singing chef Norman Tugaf, accompanied by a violinist, also regaled us with his renditions of well-loved Italian classics. Kudos to Mandarin’s GM Mark Bradford and director of communications Charisse Chuidian! If what you seek in dining out is anything but the ordinary, certainly the Tivoli will not disappoint you.
A valuable contribution for the Filipino children
Serving the needs of impoverished Filipino children was the main agenda of one of the country’s most prestigious publications. As part of its 25th anniversary countdown, Lifestyle Asia magazine led by editor-in-chief Anna Sobrepeña (second from left) and associate publisher Cheryl Tiu (extreme left) recently made a contribution to the EJ Litton Foundation, Inc., represented by its president Tess Litton (third from left) and your columnist at the exquisite MO Lounge of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila. The EJ Litton Foundation seeks to provide education to less fortunate Filipino children for them to grow as successful citizens. It is indeed a great act of charity to help Filipino children build a bright future. Cheers!
A remarkable citation for Baby
Congratulations to the ever affable Baby de Jesus who was awarded as one of Manila’s Best Dressed 2011. The awarding ceremonies were held at the Grand Ballroom of the exquisite Dusit Thani Manila. Cheers!
Greetings
A prosperous New Year and happy birthday to our celebrator today, regal lady Cristina Ponce Enrile.
Advanced birthday greetings to STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte, Manny Maceda, Offie Recto and Babette Aquino, Jan. 4; megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan and Cesar Gaupo, Jan. 6; and Tess Litton, Apa Ongpin and Tootsie Eduque-Marco, Jan. 7.
So how was your week?
(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)
