Paradise for the taste buds

Diners who settle for nothing but the best have a new favorite Vietnamese restaurant: Dusit Hotel Nikko’s Thien Duong, which means "paradise" in Vietnamese. And a veritable food lover’s paradise it is. The first Thien Duong restaurant, created for Dusit Thani in Bangkok, is world-famous for the superb quality of its Vietnamese food, and the same dishes are here in the metro.

In its effort to keep improving its already magnificent menu, Thien Duong has recently hired Master Chef Ngo Dinh Ket, who hails from Hanoi, Vietnam, and was trained by popular Vietnamese guru chef Doan Cam Van. The quiet and unassuming yet skillful young chef has added 10 new dishes designed to tempt everyone’s palate: Goi Cuon Hanoi Style (fresh spring rolls filled with beef, chicken, squid and shrimp); Nom Hoa Chuoi Thit Ga (banana flower and chicken salad); Goi Muc (squid salad with celery); Goi Bobop Thau (beef salad with herb); Pho Ga (chicken and rice noodle soup); Canh Chua Thit Lon (hot and sour pork broth); Ca Kho To (baked fish in clay pot); Bo Luc Lac Hanoi Style (stir-fried beef with tomatoes and onions); Bo Kho To (baked beef hue style); and Che Tung Thung (sweet bean with lotus seeds).

My mouth is watering already just talking about the food! See you at Thien Duong!

(For inquiries, call 867-3333 loc. 3354.)

A Warm Welcome

Dusit Hotel Nikko’s excellent ambiance and superb service have once again been chosen by people who know their hotels – top executives from Qatar Airways. Dusit recently held welcome cocktails in honor of the first batch of Qatar personnel who selected the hotel as their home in the country. Dusit Hotel Nikko’s indefatigable general manager Chiyuki Fujimoto personally welcomed the guests to the hotel’s spacious Chao function room.

From Dusit’s incomparable line of restaurants came a stream of delectable cocktails from various cuisines – Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Filipino. The Qatar Airways people, especially Area Manager for the Philippines and Micronesia Manolo San Juan, were seen smiling contentedly after such a gracious welcome!

South Forbes City’s ‘Brides At The Astoria’

South Forbes City, the 250-hectare project of Cathay Land, Inc. destined to be the country’s next premier residential frontier, recently hosted a bridal fair and an investors’ night at the Astoria Plaza in Ortigas. Entitled South Forbes Weddings at the Astoria, the follow-up bridal fair held at South Forbes featured performances by Leggiero Strings, Agape String Ensemble and lady harpist Holly Angel Paraiso.

A personality enhancement seminar by AVON and a fashion show of one of the respected fashion designers Gerry Katigbak were the highlights of the Investors’ Night. With Velvet Mood string ensemble setting the romantic mood and chic footwear provided by Solea by Emi Bolaños-Jorge, the event was also supported by Samsung Electronics, Decisive Moments by Mel Cortez, Thousand Flowers by Archie Chua, Eddie Bruan, Berde Plants and Federal Design Expo.

Apart from offering a refreshing and invigorating environment near burgeoning Sta. Rosa, Laguna, South Forbes City gives meaning to the words "accessibility and connectivity" because of its proximity to educational institutions (Xavier School, Brent, St. Scholastica’s, Don Bosco, De La Salle), technology and manufacturing plants (Ford, Coca Cola, Toyota, Honda, Panasonic), commercial establishments (Paseo de Sta. Rosa), and recreational centers (Enchanted Kingdom and surrounding malls).

Live life anew at South Forbes!

(For inquiries, call 635-8108).

A Bridal Show From Makati To California

The inimitable Dr. Yolie Balmes, head of Power Heads, held recently another fabulous theme trade exhibition and a bridal show, Captured Moments of a Lifetime at The Loft in Rockwell, Makati.

Spectators were pleasantly surprised when they saw who the ramp models for the show were – some of the loveliest contestants from the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. The exquisite designs were from some of the country’s top designers today, Renee Salud, Edgar San Diego, Edgar Madamba, Johnny Abad and Edwin Uy.

Department of Tourism officials and Intramuros administration bigwigs were among the event’s supporters. An unexpected yet pleasant surprise ensued at the event when Jhun Reyes, the brother-in-law of the Philippine-born mayor of Milpitas City in California, Jose "Joe" Estevez, saw the show. Jhun was so impressed that he offered to help bring the show to California, for the benefit of the Filipinos in the state who were "hungry for Filipino culture." Dr. Balmes has already met with Susan Reyes Estevez, wife of Joe Estevez, to plan the event to be shown in California. The tireless Yolie plans to create a showcase of Philippine artistry not only in bridal wear but also in embroidery, and beadwork, handicrafts and artworks – the best products of the archipelago.

Keep up the good work, Yolie! We’re proud of your efforts.