Food at Cafe Bonita

Northwestern University President Ferdinand Nicolas, wife Mich and Isaiah.

As guaranteed, I reached the occasion to remark about the food at Parklane’s Cafe Bonita. Firstly, the morph-ication of that tired length along Bacarra Rd. (now Gen Segundo Ave.) is the real deal. The food should match, and indeed Chef Alvin Lao, who I heard is leaving town soon to broaden his horizon in America, is doing a great job of sharing his culinary skills and knowledge. I was a fan of his carbonara with white truffle oil, his Caesar’s salad and steaks, and so on.

The dinner last night was thought-provoking. It’s a recurrent, hahah, spasmodic blogger or foodie thing. Studying oeuvres like crispy succulent bagnet on a bed of peeled pomelo speckled with recognizable Asian flavors or the Ilocanonized version of the Peking duck skin wrap, which was clever with chilied hoisin sauce, was like being absorbed in an art museum. A food experience can range from hostile to orgasmic. I like eating more than looking, but sorry to take your time if you are eating with me. Hah, the hyperphotoactivity disorder of the new millennium.

I give this a very high rating.

One of my closest friends, the beautiful Marla Luis. I mean close as in we tell each other what’s wrong with us and kiss.

Bagnet (Ilocano crispy pork belly) wraps could have been perfect if the wraps had more body like less tightness in texture. The siling labuyo lent more oomph.

The prawns and mussels with lavish herbed curry sauce was provocative. I took out rice from my diet, nonetheless the potential perfect ulam was not overwhelming.

Hmnnn, the panna cotta, with flambeed pineapples (I’m not sure), was a nice finis with a tropical touch to the Asian fusion medley.

Mara Manuel, the make-up artist of the smart set in Ilocos Norte, and in-demand wedding and glamour photographer Marianne Pasion.

More here. Check out Marianne’s Cafe Bonita post also.

Cafe Bonita is opening its doors on February 14, Valentine’s Day.

As always, Dr. Pia Luis looked pulled-together. She was happy receiving her Pia shopper tote from MODi.

Le repas de Noel

My Christmas officially started last night, and with a bang. An intimate all-girl dinner was hosted by a bestie, and no less than Laoagueño Chef Alvin Lao, a product of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies (founded by Chef Gene Gonzalez) prepared an über satiating full course meal. Everything was spot on — from the cooking to the presentation to the well-balanced melange of flavors in every dish.

My friend is a first-rate shopper. First-rate in the sense that she knows exactly where to find something. She goes to Cobunpue and obscure places such as Dapitan Market and God knows where else.