At home at The Fort

Philux began as a passionate endeavor by its founders who have a fascination with local Philippine materials.

The creation of its furniture is inspired by the preservation of age-old milling and assembly techniques using sustainable wood.  The process is slower but more intricate and methodical. From its two carpenters, Philux has grown and is one of the leading manufacturers in the country today.

On its 35th year, the new concept Philux Home was launched. It is a lifestyle showroom that blends curated home accessories with furniture pieces from Philux. It also showcases embroidered textiles, scents, paintings and its first line of children’s furniture called “Little Philux.”

With VP for sales and business development Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez and head designer Jessica Kienle Maxwell at the helm, Philux Home is a testament to being a dynamic and inspired brand that is relevant in contemporary times but remains true to its history of fine furniture making.

Philux Home at Shangri-La at the Fort just opened, go ahead and take a look at its fine merchandise.

(Visit Facebook.com/philuxinc, www.philux.ph and @_philux_ on Instagram.)

The Fireplace relaunched

New World Manila Bay Hotel GM Mark Heywood and executive chef James Williams.

I first visited The Fireplace years ago when it was still in the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila. Now, the restaurant is still there but under the management of New World Manila Bay Hotel.

I recently got a call from  the hotel’s communications officer Joey Silvestre to try out the new dishes at the same restaurant. I remember loving the place and the food so much that I decided to go.

As Joey explained, The Fireplace management wanted people to go there not just for special occasions (which it was known for) but also for regular lunches or dinners. The restaurant has a revamped menu, keeping a lot of the old favorites and adding more dishes. Prices in the menu have also been adjusted to make the food more affordable.

The meal started with a wonderful porcini mushroom bread, which was served with an edible bacon fat candle. The candle was lit and when it melted, it became a dip for the delicious bread served. Not a bad start for the new stuff at The Fireplace!

Michelin-star chef Dani Garcia, who had cooked in the hotel a few months before, had a lasting impression on executive chef James Williams since he adopted Dani’s lemon candy dessert. It tasted very much like Chef Dani’s dessert, which I was fortunate to try. Chef Dani left all the lemon containers he used for the dinner for Chef James.

As more dishes were served, I was very impressed  to find out that The Fireplace had been consistent in serving great food. And now, with a more affordable price.

Among my favorites was the  oxtail ravioli, a dish by Chef James inspired by Chef Dani. I would go back to the restaurant every day for this favorite dish of the night! In general, I don’t like cooked salmon but the restaurant’s hot smoked salmon was perfectly moist and flavorful!

Also, the hanging tender (a cut that butchers normally keep for themselves) served with bone marrow and foie gras was indeed a carnivore’s dream.  The meat was full of flavor and was very tender. The beef tartare was one of the best I tried around Manila.

It doesn’t surprise me that The Fireplace is becoming more popular with discerning diners in the metro. With such excellent food and enticing prices, I would certainly travel all the way to Manila Bay just to relive this experience.

(The Fireplace is located on Level 5, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 Pedro Gil Corner M.H. Del Pilar Street, Malate, Manila.  For reservations, call 252-6888 or visit www.manilabay.newworldhotels.com/en/dining/fireplace for more information.)

Say ‘yes’ to freedom!

Pizza Hut Philippines marketing head Lorent Adrias and research manager Raymund Nobleza.

Foodies now have the freedom to create the meal of their desires as Pizza Hut offers the all-new Hut Feasts, which feature the widest selection of pizza, side and main dishes as well as meal combinations.

The new meal combinations were launched in a well-attended event graced by Miss Philippines-Universe 2016 Maxine Medina.

Guests were welcomed by Pizza Hut Philippines marketing head Lorent Adrias. Market research head Raymund Nobleza explained, “Our new offerings give customers more reasons to enjoy Hut Feasts — they can have fun creating their own meal every day and it can be a different combination each time. These are the best Hut Feasts yet from Pizza Hut.”

The new offerings are all about freedom to choose, with a total of 12 meal combinations for groups of two, four, six,  eight and 10 diners. For each Hut Feast meal, diners can choose from nine main dish options, and up to 15 side dish options. For groups of four or bigger, diners have a choice between Pan and Hand-Stretched Pizzas, with nine flavors available!

With each combination, diners can enjoy a savory, satisfying meal that comes with huge savings depending on the meal they choose.

Celebrating individuality

Roxaco Land Corp. president and CEO Santiago Elizalde, ELRO Corp. chairman Francisco Elizalde Sr. and ELRO Retail Corp. president Francisco Elizalde.

ELRO Retail Corp. (ERC) welcomed into its fold UK’s hippest lifestyle sneaker Gola  and introduced its different styles and collections through a launch fully decked out with a real London feel.

At the launch were ERC president Francisco Elizalde, ELRO Corp. chairman Francisco Elizalde Sr. and Roxaco Land Corp. president and CEO Santiago Elizalde.

ERC head of marketing Cecille Loretizo said, “We are delighted to welcome Gola to the Philippine market — truly an iconic brand that has successfully fused the classic style of the past with the modern and upbeat fashion style of today’s market. This inimitable fusion of the past and the present is very much evident in the collections that we are unveiling today.”

With the theme #WhichGolaAreYou, the launch saw the introduction of Gola’s flagship line — Harrier, which, while retaining Gola’s original style, carries with it the key look of the season; and Bullet, now marking its 40th anniversary as a timeless and ever-popular style.

Celebrity mom Kelly Misa went for the classic style, which comes forward with a simple and laid-back vibe; actress Carla Humphries chose the Trendy style for those who like to stand out from the crowd; footballer Anton del Rosario strode along wearing the Sporty style with its bold colors and athletic profile; while actor  and model Paolo Paraiso wore the Edgy style, featuring playful and offbeat designs.

(Gola is distributed by ELRO Retail Corp. For more information, visit www.elroretail.com.)

Unromantic comedy

Rachel Alejandro and Joel Trinidad. Photos by Jaypee Maristaza

The Mind Museum presents a new bittersweet comedy Love/Sick by John Cariani, the first mainstream theatrical offering to be featured at the museum’s auditorium. This critically acclaimed series of plays, produced by Upstart, will surely appeal to fans of Almost, Maine, another work by the same author produced elsewhere earlier this year.

Set on a Friday night in an unnamed American suburb, Love/Sick explores romantic relationships at every stage, from first meeting to dating to disillusionment and divorce, using nine loosely connected vignettes, all infused with an unusual, fanciful tone.

Love/Sick stars Rachel Alejandro along with other theater veterans like Noel Rayos and Upstart co-founders Onyl Torres and Joel Trinidad (who is also the show’s director). It also features Teenee Chan, Mica Pineda, Bibo Reyes and Nicky Triviño, the show’s assistant director.

The Mind Museum presents Love/Sick on Aug. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m., at the Mind Museum Auditorium, J.Y. Campos Park, 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

(For ticket and show buying information, contact Upstart Productions at 0917-8116516 or [email protected]. Love/Sick is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc., New York.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)