Damaso Residencia, A Private Kitchen by Chef Bambi Sy Gobio

 

Last August, Bubba and I headed out to hunt down a Swiss chalet-type of house somewhere in Greenhills.  If you pay attention closely right after La Salle Greenhills, the red roof and green shutters are hard to miss despite the tall brown gate.

 

Bubba and I arrived first ahead of the others and were welcomed to a waiting-slash-reading room that looked like it was a setting taken out of the movie, “The King’s Speech.” 

It felt so English except that the server asked what drinks we wanted and asked politely if we’d like to try their Tubig ni Maria.  Curiosity didn’t kill the foodie and we found out that it is actually cucumber water lazed with ginger and lemon.  I obliged since I barely drink colas or anything else –it’s an interesting take which still retained the purity and lightness of water.

 

If you’re familiar with Restaurante Pia Y Damaso, the restaurant that started that whole theme of Spanish-Filipino era from interiors to menu, the original concept was from Chef Bambi Sy Gobio.  The Damaso restaurant in Greenbelt 5 took Filipino cuisine to a new light with her at the helm.  Chef Bambi further opens your palate with scrumptious dishes taken from her family recipes at her lovely home.  Damaso Residencia, is the newest private kitchen to open its doors to discerning foodies.

 

If you are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, family occasions and in need of a venue for group gatherings, Damaso Residencia is a good option to hold a private dinner at.  That evening, the spread was centered on Chef Bambi’s famous Roasted Turkey with Chorizo Stuffing.

 

The guests started piling up in the sitting room.  The air was busy with talks of latest food discoveries while everyone munched on bite-size corn muffins and chicken skin served on a tier of silver platter.  

After a short while, we gathered inside the dining area which was an elegant setting fit for a happy family ready to partake in a feast.

On the Table

Split Pea Soup

The warm soup of split pea felt comforting since it was raining that day.  It’s in the shade of greyish green color that has a grainy composition that gives it texture.

 

Baked Fish

Of course, the roasted turkey is but lonely with the accompaniment of other viands like the baked fish.  The sauce was delicious and combines ingredients of lemon, wine, caramelized onions, garlic and tomatoes.

 

Creamy Mashed Potato

Smooth smashed potato perfect alternative starch for “trying hard non-rice eaters” like me.  The no-rice diet like most of my diets only lasted a day.

 

Roasted Turkey with Chorizo Stuffing

The star of the show comes out eliciting hushed enthusiasm from the crowd.  It’s fairly-sized for our party’s number but Chef Gobio has bigger turkey sizes for bigger groups.  After giving the turkey dirty looks, and snapping shots for food pornography, the server then starts to willfully glide the sharp knife across the breast part for easy serving.  

 

He also places the chorizo stuffing and other vegetables neatly on the serving plate.  With the hefty weight, turkey has the tendency to be dry, but these thinly sliced turkey meat were incredibly moist and tender than expected. 

 

[Read more…]

UFC on ABS-CBN Presents Mark Muñoz, A 3-Part Special on The Filipino Wrecking Machine

After the huge success of bringing NBA games to Free TV, ABS-CBN presents another top caliber sports content to local television audience.  The local audience is very fortunate to get FREE access to these first-rate shows and programs that only a network stalwart like ABS-CBN can provide.  Sports fans should laud the network’s efforts in bringing the UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts closer to Filipino hearts.

Early this year, Mark Muñoz flew in Manila to visit the Philippines.  Muñoz came home to his roots for the first time.  With press cons for the media and fans alike, Mixed Martial Arts clinics, autograph-signing and photo op sessions, Muñoz was still able to include a visit to his parents’ respective hometowns in his itinerary.  Born on the US naval base in Japan, Muñoz’ parents relocated to the US Navy Town of Vallejo, California when he was 2 years old –so he was particularly happy to be exposed to the Filipino culture.

Via Getty Images / ESPN UK website

At 34, Mark Muñoz has already made his name in the UFC scene as top contender in the middleweight category and is actually ranked #3 in the world by Sherdog in that weight division as of March 2012.

  [Read more…]

CIRQUE de Soleil in Manila Presents Varekai

 

 

CIRQUE de Soleil is bringing Varekai, one of its big top productions, to Manila this June!  It will be a 20-show run from June 22, 2011 to July 10, 2011.

 

 

Varekai in Roman language translates to the word “wherever.”  The show will highlight the captivating forest that is inhabited by whimsical and enchanted creatures.  The show will center on pure escapism, according to Cirque de Soleil manager, Robert McKenzie.

 

Cirque de Soleil VAREKAI

Venue: Quirino Grandstand

Date: Opens on June 22, 2011

Contact: For ticket purchase and reservation, call (+632) 6692222

 

 

Hoopla Inc. brought Cirque de Soleil in Manila with its co-presenter Manila Hotel.  The venue is being constructed in Rizal Park, across the Quirino Grandstand. 

 

Regular ticket price ranges from PHP 2,300 to PHP 5,500 for children and PHP 2,700 to PHP 6,500 for adults.  For VIP, it costs at most PHP 10,500 for adults.  I wonder which is more expensive, watching it in Macau or here in Manila. 

 

 

I wish I watched it with Bubba when we were in Macau in 2008.  They were showing it in Venetian Macao where we stayed.

 

 

READ MORE:

Peanut to Acorn (Teaser)

The Sun Shines Bright in Macau (1st of 3 Parts)

The Sparkle of Macau (2nd of 3 Parts)

After the Jump in Macau (3rd of 3 Parts)

 

 

 

Tapis Rouge VIP Info:

 

One hour before the show and during intermission, Tapis Rouge takes you into the sensational world of Cirque du Soleil.

 

The Tapis Rouge VIP Experience includes:

 

  • Preferred seating
  • Reserved parking
  • Access to the Tapis Rouge suite via an exclusive entrance one hour before the show and during intermission
  • An array of mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres, fine wines and refreshments followed by desserts during intermission
  • Unique multimedia entertainment and original music in a stunning décor with a relaxed atmosphere
  • A Tapis Rouge souvenir
  • A souvenir program
  • Priority purchasing of Cirque du Soleil merchandise in the Tapis Rouge boutique
  • Private restrooms and terrace

 

Tapis Rouge offers a warm welcome and generous hospitality in a unique, surprising and playfully inventive setting dedicated only to your enjoyment

  

Tickets are available online at

www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/varekai/ticket /manila.aspx.

 

Starbucks Runaway Hit Product Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew is Now Available in the Philippines

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through their unwavering commitment to excellence and guiding principles, Starbucks brings the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup.

What’s brewing? 😉 Starbucks recently announced that the Philippines in now the fourth market to offer Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew.  Started mid-September, all Starbucks stores in the Philippines carry the new product, Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew in flavors of Colombia, Italian Roast and Decaffeinated Italian Roast.

“We know there is a significant opportunity in the Philippines marketplace for Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew since nearly 100 percent of retail coffee sales come from instant coffee*,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo, Starbucks Coffee Company.  “We know rapid innovation for Starbucks VIA® and creating opportunities to further increase awareness and trial of Starbucks VIA® broadens our overall customer base both in the U.S. and in international markets.”

Starbucks opened its first store in Makati City, Philippines through a licensing agreement with Rustan Coffee Corporation in December 1997.  Today, there are more than 160 stores throughout the Philippines, and Starbucks growth has played a key role in building a strong local coffee culture in the country.

The Philippines will join Japan as the second country in Asia to offer Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew.  Starbucks Japan launched Starbucks VIA® last April to rave reviews.  More than 10 million sticks have already been sold in Starbucks stores throughout Japan, with distribution expansion plans set for September as VIA® enters grocery and trade channels.

As a premium-portion stick coffee solution that doesn’t require any special equipment, Starbucks VIA® is resonating with consumers and meeting untapped demand.

By expanding the product line beyond Colombia and Italian Roast varieties and into new channels, innovation around the Starbucks VIA® platform remains a priority for the company. Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew Decaffeinated Italian Roast launched last November, and Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew Iced Coffee launched in late June; both representing the beginning of the Starbucks VIA® innovation pipeline.

Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew is made from 100 percent natural roasted arabica coffee in an instant and microground form that is rich and full bodied in flavor, just like a fresh-brewed cup of Starbucks® coffee. Starbucks VIA® is made with a proprietary, U.S. patent-pending technology to preserve the coffee’s flavor.

To share in the experience, please visit Starbucks stores in Philippines or online at starbucks.com.

Perseid Meteor Shower

 

 

Perseid meteor shower was witnessed last year in late July.  This year, the event will occur again on Wednesday and Thursday as Earth runs into a trail of dust and pebbles in the orbit.

 

The usually unexciting night sky will be painted with “falling stars,” which are actually dozens of meteors passing per hour.  This debris strikes the upper atmosphere at around 60 kilometers (37 miles) per second, a speed that causes it to burn up into white-hot streaks.  The bigger ones may appear as fireballs.

 

Image Source: AP

 

East Asia has the best view to see the shower at its most intense moment, which is predicted for 1800 GMT on August 12, according to the US publication Sky and Telescope.

 

Get Delicious at Dinelli Gourmet

 

The Inauguration and Press Launch of Dinelli Gourmet happened last Tuesday evening, 18th of November 2008.  Dinelli Gourmet is the latest addition in Manila’s gourmet and specialty foods market.

 

 

The newly opened gourmet shop is your new stop for the freshest and unique selection of gourmet foods.  More than the exclusive imported items and fresh cold cuts and wide array of cheese selection, the store also has a section for kitchen equipment from Australia, Europe and USA.  The husband and wife tandem of Anthony and Kristine Meehan, proprietors of Meehan Cellars Inc. decided to open a chain of gourmet shops in the Metro.  The Tomas Morato branch is the first of the three set to open.  The second branch is fixed to launch in December which location will be at the Fort.

 

 

The Amazing Race Asia 3 Philippine Team contestants (and hopefully winners!  We’ll find out tonight) model Geoff Rodriguez and beauty queen Tisha Silang hosted the event.  While cocktails and various wines were being served around since 630pm, the official ceremony started at 8pm with the formal ribbon cutting.

 

 

The Australian Senior Trade Commissioner Ross Bray, was the Guest of Honor and consequently presided over the ribbon cutting.  It was a well-attended event as local dignitaries, eminent businessmen, celebrities and models graced the event alongside the media cluster.  Representatives from Yummy Magazine (calling Fran Haw, where were you?) and Uno were also present. 

 

 

As the event kicked off, Geoff passed the floor to Mr. Anthony Meehan who welcomed the guest and thanked those who made the event possible, as well as the media partners.

 

I got to have a quick chat with Geoff and egged him to reveal if they won TARA 3.  It was after all, 2 nights away.  He was mum all the way.  I guess I had to wait for 48 more hours.

 

 

Whether you’re looking for a strong-tasting cheese or smooth creamy cheese, or even cheese studded with pimiento or chilies for that extra zing, Dinelli Gourmet offers a complete cheese selection.  Dinelli advises that hard cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, Manchego and Grana Padano are great for crumbling or grating texture.  Cheddar, Edam, Gruyere, Emmenthal are semi-hard cheese that have milder flavors and can melt quite easily.  For other cooking needs such as adding a height to your sandwich creations, semi-soft cheeses are available too, like Bleu d’Auvergne, Port Salut (saint Paulin), Fourme D’Ambert, Roquefort Societe, Gorgonzola Dolce, Feta.  For rich creamy variants, the popular ones are Brie and Camembert, followed by St. Nectaire, Mascarpone (usually used in desserts) and Cambozola Cheese Kaserei.

 

 

They also carry Moondarra cheese brand: ashed goat, chilli, creamy blue cheese, fruit and nut, garlic and chives, garlic and herb goat cheese, honey and pistachio, melon and mango, pear and vanilla bean, sun dried tomato (Mm-mm!) and herb, bruschetta cheese among others.

 

 

For those who have a discerning taste for the expensive, Castaing Fois Gras products are available in Dinelli Gourmet stores.

 

 

Refreshments and treats from the store’s gourmet selection and menu items were at every corner.  The food (cheese, meat, pasta, dessert) and wine were free flowing throughout the night –even at the time when we left, fresh batches were being brought out.  The treats were simple ingredients tossed together –but it definitely tasted like designer cocktails.  Seeing all the products, I had the urge to buy so many items off their racks.  A bottle of cocktail onions, brie, gorgonzola, manchego and fontina, grapes, dried apricots, walnuts, wine and I’m good to go for a cheese party.  There were Moroccan lamb stew and couscous on a microwave-able container that Bubba was interested in, plus a dish of Tortellini and cream cheese.  Whereas for me, my curiosity was more piqued with the individual ingredients I’ve only seen there.  That launch surely fired up a vanishing cooking passion in me. Getting an access to an assortment of distinctive ingredients inspired me to concoct new dishes.

 

 

Each guest also received a gift basket with a selection of gourmet foods to be able to sample the Dinelli gourmet lifestyle at home.  Dinelli Gourmet will surely change the landscape of Metro shopping and hopefully ups the ante of deli stores as well as Filipino home dining.  Get creative with Dinelli gourmet products and come up with the freshest dish ideas.  Dinelli Gourmet is located at 5 Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

 

 

Thanks to Christopher Pettersson, CEO of Kingpin Syndicate Inc. for the invitation.

 

Dinelli Gourmet Album

 

 

BTV on Sky Cable as an Ala Carte Channel

BTV Available On SkyCable As An Ala Carte Channel

(Source CTC)

 

Good news for Basketball fans! Popular sports channel Basketball TV is now available on SkyCable on ala carte. BTV brings live and exclusive hard court action straight from the world’s biggest basketball arenas.


BTV is a 24-hour sports channel that is home to highly sought-after basketball leagues such as the NBA, PBA and the Philippine Collegiate Championship, among others. It also features magazine-type shows that provide in-depth game analyses and exciting personality profiles of basketball superstars.

 

Subscribing to BTV requires a Digibox and an additional monthly fee on top of the regular subscription rate. This pioneering scheme in the local cable TV industry makes it possible for SkyCable subscribers to have more flexibility in choosing and paying for the channels and programs they want to watch. BTV’s availability on SkyCable could not have been more timely, especially with the start of the 2009 NBA season. Basketball aficionados will surely have a front row treat to all the heart-pounding games of their favorite NBA Teams.


To subscribe to BTV, please call the Customer Service Hotline at 631-0000 or send an SMS to (0917) 631-0000 and (0918) 638-1000.