I don't remember being so excited about any dinner lately as much as I was about this meal.
And it wasn't even in some impossible-to-book Michelin-starred restaurant!
It was at the Manila Bulletin Office, the home of the Philippines' leading national newspaper.
This photo somehow reminds me of the Manila Hotel lobby. :)
This photo somehow reminds me of the Manila Hotel lobby. :)
The Manila Bulletin Building
Tonight we were "meating" in the conference room
Meating with a very important personality who just flew in from Japan - Kobe Beef!
CHECK OUT THAT MARBLING!!!
CHECK OUT THAT MARBLING!!!
Mushrooms were our choice of vegetables :)
Inside this Manila Bulletin teapot was a sukiyaki sauce made from scratch by the in-house chef
And look who was cooking for us that night!
Manila Bulletin's EVP himself, Dr. and my Ahia Emil Yap III!
Chef Emil sauteed the onions until fragrant, arranged the beef on top, and poured
sukiyaki sauce over it
sukiyaki sauce over it
I wish this blog had a scratch and smell feature so you could experience the euphoria
brought about by the amazing scent
brought about by the amazing scent
Marbee got the first digs. Lucky girl! :)
THIS IS KOBE BEEF SUKIYAKI.
Please erase all versions of your past kobe beef sukiyaki experience.
This is the only legit K.B.S.
#walangkokontrathankyou
Please erase all versions of your past kobe beef sukiyaki experience.
This is the only legit K.B.S.
#walangkokontrathankyou
And just when I thought I couldn't get any happier, these little dumplings of joy happened.
Ahia Emil has perfected the gyoza recipe. Look how thin the skin and how mighty the filling!
I murdered five or six of these tasty babies.
I murdered five or six of these tasty babies.
The Chawanmushi was better than what I've had in many restaurants. So eggy, soft and silky!
For dessert, we had homemade Strawberry Shortcake also prepared by the in-house chef.
I think I am gonna have to move into the Manila Bulletin office now.
I think I am gonna have to move into the Manila Bulletin office now.
The innards with our very own sweet and juicy Baguio strawberries
I don't care how heavy the cream and how much fat went into this panna cotta.
It made my eyes roll up in pleasure and no panna cotta had ever done that to me.
The others were afraid, but I cleaned up my bowl really nicely, Mr. Clean would be proud.
It made my eyes roll up in pleasure and no panna cotta had ever done that to me.
The others were afraid, but I cleaned up my bowl really nicely, Mr. Clean would be proud.
Cheryl, Marbee, Angelo and I award Ahia Emil 5 Michelin Stars!!! :)
The Aftermath
Don't worry! After dinner, we all went to the gym...
And I did some really intensive cardio workout for the next 4 hours.
Just kidding!!! We went back to the office and lazed around while watching Cheryl's brother
Chris play against San Mig Coffee.
Chris play against San Mig Coffee.
I also got to take home a few of these beautiful orchids from Ahia Emil's garden.
They now sit in my room and bring a smile to my face every morning. :)
They now sit in my room and bring a smile to my face every morning. :)
EMIL'S ANGELS
"OMG!!! Ang tatakaw nila!!!"
"OMG!!! Ang tatakaw nila!!!"
After dinner, we went to the Tap Room at Manila Hotel to watch Margaux Salcedo perform.
Margaux not only eats well, writes well, she sings very well, too.
She is such a joy to watch!
She is such a joy to watch!
Even Former President Joseph Estrada agrees!