It was a perfect two-hands lunch as one chef took care of the savory dishes and one took care of dessert! Chef Abi Balingit joined Kalel Chan in the kitchen of Lobby 385 in San Juan City.
Kalel is the chef in this restaurant that opened late last year and is known for its delicious steaks and pasta.
Kalel also handles the kitchens of Saboten, Chotto Matte, Friends and Family, Chacha Boracay, Jones All Day, Farmer’s Table, and Café Mabini, and now, his new Lobby 385.
Abi is a Filipino-American baker based in Brooklyn, New York. She has a blog called “The Dusky Kitchen” and released a cookbook ”Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed” in 2023 and won the 2024 James Beard Emerging Voice Awards for Books.
An intimate lunch was held to introduce Abi as she has not been in Manila for a while. Kalel prepared Lobby 385 classics such as the refreshing stracciatella caprese salad with grilled grapes, fig balsamic jam, and kaffir threads, lobster capellini with ikura (salmon roe), and the specialty -- 27-day dry aged t-bone hybrid F1 steak (half Angus, half Australian Wagyu) with cauliflower, horseradish cream, mac and cheese, steak rice, and creamed spinach.
As Abi continues to champion Filipino desserts around the world, she prepared two Filipino-inspired desserts for this occasion - chocolate pan de salbread pudding and her ube macapuno lava cake.
Both chefs took time out to talk to the guests, who were mostly food writers and other chefs. It was a great way to spend a special lunch by two talented individuals. The get together was sponsored by International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines, Nutribullet, and Masterplan Global. *
(Lobby 385 is located at 385 P. Guevarra Street, San Juan City. They are open from 11am daily. Call or message (0917) 169-5338 for inquiries or reservations.)
Discovering haute couture wines
Laurent Ponsot’s Winery is true to nature and grows their vines without chemicals while utilizing modern methods when necessary. Ponsot’s experience of over 40 years in Burgundy led him to know some of the best growers who produce grapes with amazing quality crucial for crafting their haute couture wines.
Txanton brought Ponsot to Manila for a special Master Class at The Keep at Shangri-la at The Fort in Taguig City. Txanton General manager Besay Gonzalez welcomed only 14 wine enthusiasts for this intimate event.
Guests were first served Jamón ibérico de Bellota freshly carved by Txanton’s Master Carver to start the wine tasting. First served was the Laurent Ponsot Meursault Charmes 1er Cru Cuvée de la Centaurée 2020. In Burgundy, the word “Charmes” means fallow land, in the sense of stubble fields where a few thickets of charme or hornbeam might grow, these small rustic trees with hard wood being perfect for heating. The wine is gold-green, canary yellow, or polished bronze-gold depending on its age. This was followed by the Laurent Ponsot Chambolle-Musigny Cuvée de la Violette 2021. This bright ruby colored wine has the smell of violets and red berries, which is delicate and full bodied yet offers soft tannins. Shangri-La The Fort’s Executive Chef, Joris Rycken prepared Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream, Ikura, Micro Greens Crostini, Goat Cheese, candied walnuts, Olive Soil Bruschetta, and Poached Shrimp, Avocado Cream, Sun Dried Tomato Crispy Baguette to pair with this wine. The third and last wine for this session was Laurent Ponsot Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru Cuvée du Saule 2020. Laurent Ponsot SAS is the largest producer of this appellation, which the company works over one hectare, as well as buying grapes from other producers. This extremely rare wine is the pride of its makers. The characteristic aroma is red currant and is silky and full-bodied. This wine can be drunk young or aged for years. This was paired with Fourme D’ Ambert, Balsamic Figs, Hazelnut, Wheat, Bread Beef Tartar, Capers, Pecorino shavings, Crispy baguette, and Duck Rillette, Pistachio Crumble, Kibble Rye.
Txanton started operations in 2015. It is engaged in the importation, distribution and retailing of fine wines and gourmet. The idea stemmed from bringing together jamón and wine enthusiasts in one spotThe passion for fine gastronomy products and meticulous attention to their care drove the success, leading to expansion over the years into different concepts like Cave. La Carne, and Caviar Bar. Laurent Ponsot wines are available at Txanton.
(Txanton is located on the 2nd floor of Alegria Alta Building, 2294 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. Email info@txanton.com.ph or check out https://txanton.com.ph.)
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