One of the family’s favorite is lamb. Recently, as we eagerly looked forward to a dinner of barbecued lamb ribs, we instead got the very big disappointment of having the toughest lamb ever. After grilling it, we could not cut it, we could not even bite, much less chew, it. Monterey has failed us again. The consolation was when we returned the meat, they gave us a refund, even though the woman behind the counter questioned our cooking ability.
Bread has come a long way from the pan de sal and pan americano that we grew up with. While the variety in our youth also included pan de monay, pan de coco, and others, today’s bread eaters are luckier to have a wide range of choices, basic breads (loaf and bun) infused with different flavors that come in different forms. Bread shops have mushroomed all over the country. A few years back, a brother brought home a loaf branded Gardenia, insisting that it was one of the tastiest, if not the tastiest, in the market. Gardenia has carved its niche and has become one of the most creative bakeries in the country. If we remember correctly, they started with the Classic loaf. Now the line includes flavored loaves and stuffed buns (ube, cinnamon), the latest Honey Oat Loaf, a product of a partnership between the bread maker and the legendary Quaker Oats. This gives the consumer a healthy choice, since oats are supposed to reduce cholesterol. For years oat meal has graced many breakfast tables, basically because of its healthy nutrients. We can’t believe Quaker Oats has been in the market for more than 100 years, with the recognizable symbol “Larry”. In recent years it merged with PepsiCo, the Purchase, a New York-based food and beverage company. Other than this new product, look for their Black Forest loaf as well. It is an ideal light merienda fare, when toasted with spreadable cheese. Gardenia loaves come in two sizes.
Enderun College, the institution that would produce tomorrow’s competent chefs and culinary experts, has broken ground on a 1.7 hectare lot on McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. On this will rise a community consisting of a state-of-the-art culinary center, a boutique hotel, sports center, library, career development center and, needless to say, classrooms. To be built in several phases, two main buildings will be ready for students by late 2007. Enderun College offers a carefully crafted program of study leading to a Bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management in two major areas, hotel administration and culinary arts.
At the moment the college is housed in the Wynsum Corporate Plaza on F. Orgitas in Pasig, where ‘Teaching’ Restaurant 101 serves as the hands-on training venue for the students who compose the kitchen brigade and service staff. The 40-seater dining area serves dishes classified as French infused with some distinct ethnic influences. The menu could include Roast Garlic and Tomato Espresso with Ham Croquettes, Steamed Fillet of Norwegian Salmon with Miso Bordelaise or the Flourless Valhrona Chocolate Torte with Warm Madagascar Vanilla Bean Sauce, all prepared and served by those enrolled in the college. Due to the fact that this is mainly a training facility, it is a members-only restaurant and membership is by invitation. It is clarified that the members are actually the school’s co-collaborators in the education of their students.
A young member of the family discovered another dining place in BF Parañaque. It is called Café Francais (no e) on 61 Aguirre. It is not limited to French food but has a lot of Italian and Spanish dishes on its extensive menu. The interesting pizza is one that has pastry on top and is called Vesuvious, simply because it “explodes” as it gets cooked.
You need to go there to see this. Their pizzas come in three sizes, at P225 to P350. For starters we can recommend their platter of sausages and onion rings. What we had was scallopini of beef, tender and deliciously done with creamy sauce. Your bill might be a bit higher than what you’d expect, but for a special meal in a place that is quiet, clean and quaint offering good service, you will not regret paying more.
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