Rhythm in Art

Chico Cristobal and I have been friends for a long time. After he moved to Australia,  we sort of lost touch. But thanks to Instagram, I was able to see that he already became a successful artist in the Land Down Under. He has been shuttling between his Manila and Sydney studios alternately.

Chico recently staged an exhibit at Bar Mathilde in Poblacion, Makati City, which featured two of his latest art series: Patterns and Behind the Scenes. As this was the first time in two years since he had his last exhibit, the venue was filled with art lovers and well wishers for this much-loved guy.

Chico is still very much drawn to Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, and Mid-Century design styles mostly because of the geometric and simple forms and the motion that these styles create. These were seen in his series Patterns, which was driven by his fascination with rhythm in art.

Meanwhile, the Behind the Scenes limited collection of oil paintings was inspired by the abstract patterns and vivid colors that form on his jeans and shorts when he is at work. He recreated these overlaying colors and patterns on actual canvas using oil paint. Only four pieces were available for this series as Chico continues his discovery and journey to creating more art in his usual geometric abstract style.

Congratulations, Chico!

(For more information, visit @cristobal_art on Instagram, http://www.facebook.com/cristobalart22 or http://www.chicocristobal.com.)

Celebrating prosperity

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Shangri-La at the Fort presents sumptuous offerings that feature regional Chinese specialties prepared by executive Chinese chef Wang Wei Qing.

I had a chance to preview these dishes and I loved everything — from the traditional Norwegian salmon Yee Sang, Ming Dynasty roasted Peking Duck and Canton Road’s original roasted suckling pig, to name a few. The US Angus beef and foie gras in garlic pepper sauce; and the braised seafood and fish maw golden soup were my favorites.

The special menus — Spring, Longevity and Prosperity — are for a table of 10 persons each, inclusive of a non-alcoholic beverage package.

Guests who avail themselves of the Chinese New Year special set menus on Feb. 15 and 16 also get a chance to win special gifts from Canton Road’s Ang Pao box, which will contain various surprises from the different restaurants in the hotel.

(For inquiries and reservations, call 820-0888.)

Sunday Barbecue Brunch at Sage

Makati Shangri-La Manila’s Sage Bespoke Grill presents Sunday Barbecue Brunch, where guests can indulge in a premium buffet.

This heavenly buffet features a variety of carvings in a relaxed and casual setting every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. until March 31.

Executive assistant manager for food and beverage Patrick Duff said, “We are excited to introduce this Sunday Barbecue Brunch to our patrons. We want family and friends to break away from the usual brunch buffet and experience a luscious barbecue brunch and live-action stations.”

Appetizers include Buffalo-Sriracha chicken wing skewers, crab cakes, Cajun-style cured turkey ham, classic Caesar salad and California wraps from the live stations. I highly recommend those juicy and crispy shrimps, which have already been shelled!

Barbecue dishes include Miami-style beef short ribs, beer-simmered grilled sausage, Tex-Mex burger with jalapeño and tomato salsa, and more. For me, the best cuts were the hanger steak and the beef short ribs.

There is also a huge dessert spread and a Bloody Mary cart!

(For inquiries and reservations, call 814-2580 or e-mail [email protected].)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)