And they keep coming back

The new L’ Incontro Ristorante Italiano is a beautiful dining space on Nicanor Garcia Street in Makati City. It is progressively growing to be a favorite destination for Italian food lovers. My personal favorite dishes in this restaurant include crespelle and almost any of the fresh, homemade pastas.

On this page is a collage of photographs culminating a great second year of the new L’ Incontro. One beautiful thing that happened at the restaurant, for example, was how Bea Tantoco’s loving family, who is always closely behind her, had seen her flourishing career at the new L’ Incontro’s on several occasions. Let it be said that Bea had several remarkable singing stints in the restaurant.

On the other hand, Val di Toro vineyard from Italy, which is renowned for its Vermentino, led one of the many wine-tasting dinners at the restaurant. It was hosted by the Straits Wine Co. Aside from wine-tasting dinners, the restaurant is also popular for birthday parties and bridal showers.

The restaurant is cozy enough to exude a whole new mood and atmosphere — all these are put together by design consultant Miguel Rosales. A new Italian menu by Tina Pamintuan differentiates the new L’ Incontro from the old one, which had an over extensive and somewhat confusing menu. 

The main dining room offers a unique pasta-tasting menu of five courses, including a chestnut and ricotta ravioli in porcini mushroom sauce or a straightforward crab cake linguini with spiced bacon.

A hip L’ Aperitivo bar is soon to open. The bar is set to mix serious and casual moments as it is poised to offer a comfortable and relaxed setting to enjoy food, music and wine all together. L’ Aperitivo welcomes a list of classic and fun cocktails, antipasto and Italian tapas. The bar would be a very welcome addition to start L’ Incontro’s third year of operation.

 Away from the hustle and bustle of boxed malls, the new L’ Incontro Ristorante Italiano, with its unique high ceiling, has a cool indoor alfresco feel. Many people say that the overall setting creates a feeling of warmth and a coming together of different styles and experiences. The food is excellent, too, and that’s why its clients keep coming back for more!

Looking forward to an even greater third year!

(The new L’ Incontro Ristorante Italiano is located at 207 Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo), Bel-Air, Makati City. Call 899-0635 for inquiries or reservations. E-mail at [email protected] or visit the website at www.lincontro.ph.)

‘Compassion into action’

People empowerment is all about individuals working together for a common good. It talks about the value of taking care of other people’s welfare. It is about giving utmost regard to humanity. 

HSBC president and CEO Tony Cripps formally turned over a check of P12 million to Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon recently at the HSBC Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The donation included the immediate cash assistance sent by the HSBC Group last December 2011 worth $250,000 as well as funds raised by HSBC employees amounting to P621,336 (which was matched by the bank).

Cripps said, “Red Cross’ urgent response to the Typhoon Sendong calamity underscores its steadfast commitment to provide immediate relief efforts. We are glad to be part of this worthy effort that empowers people to perform extraordinary acts in the face of emergencies and trust that this donation will help in rebuilding the affected communities.”

Typhoon Sendong hit Northern Mindanao on Dec. 16 last year and caused massive flash floods and landslides that killed over 1,200 people. To date, 39,414 people are still in emergency shelters, in need of food and supplies.

Gordon said, “We are truly grateful to receive HSBC’s donation during this crucial phase of rehabilitation. Support from partners like HSBC is vital in mobilizing volunteers and resources for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. It is our privilege to put their compassion into action.”

To gape is to believe

It’s definitely not your conventional theater show. Female dancers sway inside a massive swimming pool above the spectators. Tumbling performers suspend in mid-air. A man runs on a giant treadmill then bursts through a series of moving walls. The members of the live audience join the thumping beats and engage themselves in many dream sequences. This is Fuerza Bruta, a show that promises to treat the audience to spellbinding performances. See the worlds collide as reality takes a back seat when Fuerza Bruta premieres tonight at the Manila Hotel Tent. The cast will perform in Manila until March 26.

Fuerza Bruta (Spanish for “brute force”) is a revolutionary show from the Argentinian makers of De La Guarda. It has become a club and a touring company in the US and has played in major cities worldwide.

The impact of the show deserves no less than an after-party. Whether you have show tickets or just looking for a place to hang out, go to the Fuerza Bruta Lounge, which was designed by UK-trained artist and architect Juan Carlo Calma. The lounge has a cocktail area and plush couches for the guests. It will be open from Monday to Thursday (9 p.m. to 3 a.m.) and Friday to Saturday (12 a.m. to 5 a.m.).

The Manila Hotel is the official residence of Fuerza Bruta. Ticket holders get a 20 percent discount on rooms and in all Manila Hotel restaurants. Groups of up to five members can avail themselves of the after-party room package and get a 10 percent discount on tickets. All Fuerza Bruta room packages entitle the occupants to late check out and a choice between buffet breakfast at Café Ilang-ilang or a Hangover Breakfast Set from the room service. Manila Hotel Prestige members can also purchase tickets at 10 percent off when they buy them at the hotel concierge.

(Show schedules: Monday to Thursday (8 p.m.); Friday to Saturday (8 p.m. and 11 p.m.). For ticket inquiries, call 320-1111 or visit www.hoopla.ph. Tickets are also on sale at the Manila Hotel concierge. Please call 527-0011 or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.)