Chef du jour

The place was more than usually packed on a Tuesday night, the day Xavier Anthony started to cook in Nuvo. People attended the cocktails then flocked for dinner after to sample the cuisine of the renowned chef.

Xavier is a celebrity chef in France. He has been doing parties and events while cooking for his guests since 1994. Clients for these parties include the caviar house Petrossian, fashion house Escada, and Ivana Trump. Xavier has authored a recipe book and writes a food column for four French publications and is part of the French version of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, called Cinq Experts dans le Vent.

Guests that night enjoyed a variety of appetizers prepared by the charming Frenchman. These included a shooter glass of crab and mushrooms in an orange jam, prawns flambéed in Pernod, smoked salmon with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, a delightful bruschetta topped with white truffle oil, and fried zucchini flowers.

That same evening, Vicky Zubiri hosted a farewell dinner for Saint Tropez-based banker Nene Lacson. The dinner began with a duo of scrambled eggs, truffle flavored and topped with smoke salmon followed by a scallop cream soup. The main course had a choice of a stew of US beef tenderloin which was marinated for 24 hours in red wine and French herbs and served with potatoes and sliced green olives or the grilled Chilean sea bass in a creamy champagne sauce served with mushroom risotto. Dessert consisted of dark and white chocolate mousse topped with orange compote and ginger. Everyone was filled with utmost content.

Globe Platinum and Nuvo are responsible for bringing Xavier to Nuvo, where he will be the guest chef until Dec. 7.

(Nuvo is located at Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Makati City. For reservations, please call 757-3698 to 99.)

Red hot century

Century Tuna’s party dubbed "The Red Runway" was a celebration of fashion, fun and food featuring Century Tuna Red Label, the premium line made from the choicest cuts of high quality and best-selling tuna. The newest label is subtly flavored with the right blend of only the finest spices. It has no preservatives, it is low in cholesterol, and is a rich source of nutrients like protein and heart-friendly Omega 3 that helps lower the risk of heart disease.

Century Tuna marketing manager Ayet Evangelista says, "Red is all about royalty and elegance. It dares to put all these qualities in one premium line that truly captures the discriminating taste of the health conscious while keeping them healthy, fit and fabulous."

The Rockwell Tent was transformed into a massive chill-out lounge draped in white and highlighted by bright red lights. Guests were mostly dressed in red, sipping Platypus Run red and white wines from Terry’s Selection and special culinary delights prepared by Cibo. Electronic music set by Drip and lounge grooves were courtesy of DJ Karl Ty of Superfly. Highlighting the event was a fashion show directed by Robby Carmona featuring hot new collections from designers Jun Escario and Ivar Aseron. The models’ exquisite features were accentuated by Shiseido products. Strutting on the catwalk were 2006 Century Tuna Superbod winners and new image models John Mullaly and Michelle Padua.

There were also raffle prizes like Danielle Jean Richard watches, mobile phone from Globe Solutions, Yering Station Reserva Red Wines, limited edition Pilipinas watches by O.D.M. and Shiseido Red Gift Packs from LuxAsia.

The floating world

Firma and Greenbelt Mall launched "The Floating World," an exhibition of 17th to 19th century Japanese paintings and woodblock prints, at the Greenbelt 3 Lobby. Firma proprietors Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre, in vintage Japanese hakama loose trousers and geta wooden clogs, welcomed guests who went crazy over the artworks. Live koto music enthralled guests as they immersed themselves in the world of imperious shoguns and wily samurais, coquettish courtesans and scheming ladies-in-waiting, dashing kabuki actors, and their swooning fans. Some were lucky to get hold of Chito’s limited edition couture obi pillows and some of the antique accessories from the exclusive collection.

Everyone enjoyed Bambi Sy Gobio’s eclectic mix of specially prepared hot and cold dishes like blinis with wasabi cheese and salmon roe, miso-glazed swordfish skewers, Japanese yaki sticks, seared tuna tataki, and soba noodle cups as they sipped cherry bellinis and bubbly way into the night.

Firma remains one of the top lifestyle stores in the country. It’s located at the ground floor of Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City.

(For more information, please call 757-4009 or email firma2@vasia.com.) Art in the park

Museum Foundation of the Philippines promises a pre-holiday treat with the second "Art in the Park" on Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City. Museum foundation president Maribel Ongpin invites the public to this "entertaining, educational and affordable event that provides all with the opportunity to include art in their holiday activities." Participant Tina Fernandez of Art Informal says "part of the charm of Art in the Park is that it’s like being on a treasure hunt." A portion of the sales will support the Museum Foundation’s work in raising awareness for the National Museum.

First held in June to coincide with the second anniversary of the Salcedo Community Market, Art in the Park continues to be supported by Barangay Bel-Air headed by Kapitana Nene Lichauco and MACEA through president Adolfo Duarte.

Inspired by the weekly Art Fair at The Rocks in Sydney, Australia, Museum Foundation’s Lisa Periquet and Trickie Lopa conceptualized Art in the Park to create a leisurely atmosphere in which people can buy and enjoy paintings, prints, photographs and sculpture by both young and veteran Filipino artists. Other committee members are Mailin Locsin, Pepper Roxas, Dindin Araneta, Tana Lopa and Tricia Limon.

All works will be reasonably priced with P20,000 as the maximum. Credit cards will be accepted and a special installment plan (three months, zero percent interest) is also an option as arranged by the Bank of the Philippine Islands Credit Cards.

Galleries participating in Art in the Park are Art for Space, Art Inday, Artwalk Gallery, Blanc Art Space, Boston Art Gallery, Galeria de las Islas, Hiraya Gallery, L’Arc en Ciel, Nineveh Art Space, One Workshop, Ricco Renzo Galleries, Silverlens Gallery and Tin-Aw/Slash Art. Other groups exhibiting are Ilustrador ng Kabataan, KASIBULAN and Kulay Marikina. Students from the fine arts and architectural colleges of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University and FEATI will also be present.

(For more information, please contact the Museum Foundation office at 404-2685 or 0918-585-0383 and look for Elvie Magpayo or Tricia Limon.)

Silk opens

My dream has come true since Cecille Ysmael opened her new Thai restaurant Silk at the Fort. I remember how I used to look forward to her Thai cooking when she and husband Louie had dinners at home. With her new restaurant, I can now conveniently have Cecille’s Thai food anytime I want.

Cecille studied extensive Thai cooking for several years in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand. Thai fine cuisine seems to be her natural calling as she does not compromise any of her ingredients, having to grow her own Kaffir lime, galangal and betel leaves to provide diners with only authentic Thai ingredients, not opting for substitutes. She is very hands on and cooks there every night.

Must try dishes are the Phad Thai, my favorite green chicken curry, red duck curry, anything with the betel leaves for appetizers and the fried rice with pork and fermented shrimp paste. They even have a choice of brown or white rice!

(Silk is located at Unit 1C12 Little Asia, Ground Floor, Serendra Piazza, 26th Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. For reservations, please call 856-0386 to 87 or 0917-8229818.)

(Email me at peppertstar@yahoo.com)