Manila Standard

Nights of happiness

- Elizabeth Sy,

THERE is no greater happiness than having good food, paired with the best wine, devoured with good company. In a country where food is omnipresen­t, a celebratio­n is never complete without preparing the well-loved Filipino favorite dishes that often grace our Media Noche spread.

When Taal Vista Hotel welcomed the holiday season, they served the most exquisite five-course dinner, curated by the culinary team led by its executive chef Jayme Natividad.

The feast took place at the Grand Ballroom, elegantly adorned with Christmas lights and fresh flower centerpiec­es created by Amante Fleurs florist Julius Villamante.

The delicious fun began with the first course. For appetizer, the waiters brought in an amuse bouche of Trio of Tagaytay mushroom crepes with parmigiana cream and topped with caviar. These little appetizers brought a big punch, especially when paired with a glass of Hahn Estate Chardonnay 2020, USA.

Salad came next, with mixed greens of arugula, romaine, and barley with cinnamon-roasted squash, dressed in citrus vinaigrett­e. Also paired with Hahn Estate Chardonnay 2020, USA.

To cleanse our palate, we were served with sorbet made from ginger, chamomile, and mint. Watching the choreograp­hed way that the waiters brought the food to the table was in itself a treat.

Deuxieme entrée was fillet of beef roulade sous vide with gratin potatoes and drizzled with sauce au poivre. The entree was best eaten with Maxwell Silver Hammer Shiraz 2018, Australia.

Of course, there should always be a space for dessert. The panna cotta with pineapple-mango compote sweetened with Don Papa rum. We just love how the La Gioiosa Moscato NV, Italy brought out the flavors.

I would like to give salutation­s to Nestor Jardin for curating and pairing the scrumptiou­s food with the perfect wine.

Prior to that delicious dinner, the guests witnessed the lighting of the handmade Christmas tree in the hotel lobby. Inspired by the “Season of Lights,” the Christmas tree was made specially by Pampanga craftsmen for Taal Vista Hotel by Pampanga craftsmen.

SM Hotels and Convention­s Corporatio­n president SM Hotels and Convention­s C o r p o r a t i o n vice-president Peggy Angeles, and Taal

Vista Hotel general manager Ramon

Makilan led the tree lighting, with the special participat­ion of DOT IV-A regional director-OIC Marites Castro.

DLSU Dasmariñas Chorale filled the air with holiday music with their angelic voices. Proceeds of this year’s celebratio­n would benefit the children of Augustinia­n Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary. Read full story on manilastan­dard.net

 ?? ?? Season of Lights at Taal Vista Hotel, featuring a handmade Christmas tree by Pampanga artisans
Season of Lights at Taal Vista Hotel, featuring a handmade Christmas tree by Pampanga artisans
 ?? ?? GLAZING LIFE BY GLAIZA LEE
GLAZING LIFE BY GLAIZA LEE

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