La buena vida at Cebu’s Darras and Bowler

Constant prodding and persistent persuasion from dear friends and relatives who relish the buena vida prompted enterprising Corinne Darras Joseph, the lady who bakes the best napoleones and homemade fresh pate de foie gras in town, and Therese Bowler Gonzalez, the successful franchisee of the popular Potato Corner found in every shopping mall, busy supermarkets and food courts around the city, to open a specialty gourmet delicatessen with-a-difference, complete with a wide selection of wines. They recently did at uptown Banilad, aptly called Darras and Bowler. You guessed it: It is after the maiden names of the proprietors.

Guests of honor during the launch were Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, Honorary Consul of Spain Jaime Picornell, caring mother-turned-educator Judy Aboitiz and L’Ordre Mondial des Degustateurs president Michel Lhuillier. The blessing was officiated by Fr. Mikaela of the Mission of Africa.

The just-before-sunset cocktail reception had members of both clans and close friends in attendance. The well-wishers were led by the Gonzalez matriarch, the much admired Hazel, the lady behind one of Cebu’s first restaurants established after the war, the Beehive, which remains a favorite of so many Cebuanos and visitors alike. She was joined by daughter Betsy and husband Alex Chiongbian, longtime residents of the United States who have moved back to Cebu permanently, and grandson Mark, a recent graduate from one of America’s top business schools and only son of Therese and Ed Gonzalez. Ralph Joseph, the gentleman behind the popular wine and spirits shop that proudly carry his name, was also on hand for the celebration.

In addition to the members of the Cebu Cheese and Wine Club, where Dondi is a founding member, the D&B played hosts to Emmanuel Cruse, the proprietor of Chateau d’Issan, a grand property in the commune of Margaux in the Medoc part of Bordeaux, and Marcel Ducasse, the managing director of Chateau Lagrange, a grand Saint Julien estate that boasts a 600-year history.

Both presided over the tasting of the Chateaux’s second growths: The Fiefs de Logrange and the Biason d’Issan in vintages each, 2000 and 2001 amidst tableful of pica picas, a choice of soft, hard, mild or strong cheese and salads.

The D&B has a wide variety of cheeses that includes queso manchego, goat milk brie, fondue noix and morbier to sausages and Spanish specialties, such as chorizo pamplona, jamon serrano bacalao, angulas, olives, sardines and lots lots more.

Seen appreciating and enjoying the excellent selection of award-winning wines from Australia and New Zealand were wine connoisseurs Karl Hudson, general manager of Marriott Hotel, Jon Aboitiz and Montxu Aboitiz of the Aboitiz Group of Companies, expat Mike Hennessy, and the Lichaytoo brothers Alex and Clifford of Bacchus International.