Bubbles, baubles and brunch at The Pen

Gentlemen, women are very simple creatures. We are easy to please with small, thoughtful, inexpensive gestures. Handwritten notes slipped in somewhere, flowers unexpectedly and not because it’s Valentine’s but just because, breakfast in bed or that spontaneous, passionate kiss. However, there are two things that are sure winners: if being creative is not your forte, then take us to a place where we can have bubbles and baubles!

On Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28, The Peninsula Manila is organizing something really special in cooperation with Jewelmer: Sunday Champagne Brunch and Pearls at Escolta. Reminiscent of the iconic Audrey Hepburn movie, that grand classic of Truman Capote’s, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, has Holly Golightly sipping coffee and nibbling a Danish pastry in front of beautiful jewels. The pearls she wears are only faux but she carries them like a queen. With her big, black sunglasses, you just know she was drinking Champagne all night and nothing less.

Take that a notch up and let the fairy godmother sprinkle her magic dust — poof! The Danish  becomes a splendid array of gourmet offerings. Poof! Coffee in a paper cup disappears and clinking glasses of Moet & Chandon Champagne and porcelain barista wonders take its place.

Many times we won’t admit it, we’ll say we aren’t frivolous and it’s not necessary, but sometimes the best thing for you gentlemen to do is the exact opposite of what we say and pump in a little luxury and pampering in our life.

Drink up: The Peninsula Manila features Sunday Champagne Brunch and Pearls at Escolta on Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Imagine a sensuous buffet of freshly baked bread and pastries, heavenly eggs whipped up on the spot, ripe cheeses, beautiful roasts glistening under golden heating lamps, lusciously creamy pasta concoctions, an assortment of seafood fresh from the sea, steaming vats of broth in which noodles are delicately cradled and dipped, then adorned with green scallions and other vegetables. Don’t forget the decadent desserts, for all of you who have a sweet tooth: gelato, mousse, molten chocolate… Escolta has a magnificent plethora of food items that will surely satisfy any craving. For the health-conscious or the indulgent eater, there is always something palatable.

While most say Champagne is just for special occasions, The Peninsula Manila believes that sharing a meal with your loved ones on a Sunday is a good reason to celebrate! There’s nothing more special than being surrounded by good friends and family while feasting on the amazing delicacies that the chefs have prepared. Executive chef Freddy Schmidt has been busy concocting creations using the meat from the Palawan South Sea pearl oyster and chef Sebastien Coquery’s dessert finale affords Sunday Champagne brunch patrons a chance to be the lucky weekly winner of a Jewelmer South Sea pearl pendant, as well as a magnificent South Sea pearl lariat at the end of the “Bubbles and Pearls” promotion.

There are very few things that would drag me out of bed on a Sunday morning. I think a glass of bubbly and perhaps the promise of some fine jewelry is enough to make me wear my biggest and darkest sunglasses to cover my tired eyes and pop over for some bacon and eggs. Or, perhaps the most viable suggestion for those who aren’t weekend early risers: have a great night out with friends, find a beautiful spot somewhere high up in the city to watch the sun rise while chatting with someone you just might fall in love with, then head over to Escolta to brunch in last night’s clothes and the gleaming sheen of plain old fun staying up so late. I’m pretty sure that eggs benedict, luscious croissants and a glass of Moet would be a perfect way to end the evening.

Win a Jewelmer South Sea pearl pendant at the “Bubbles and Pearls” promotion.

Drink up: The Peninsula Manila features Sunday Champagne Brunch and Pearls at Escolta on Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Oh, and instead of the cherry on top of your ice cream? Why not have a nice South Sea pearl! Holly Golightly would be proud.

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Sunday Champagne Brunch at Escolta is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is priced at P2,300 (free-flowing Moet & Chandon Champagne) or P1,600 per adult and P960 per child. Prices are subject to 10-percent service charge and applicable government taxes. Ten percent of the proceeds raised from “Bubbles and Pearls” will benefit the Save Palawan Seas Foundation. For inquiries and table reservations, call The Peninsula Manila at 887-2888, ext. 6742 and 6745.

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You can contact me at Stephanie_zubiri@yahoo.fr.