Recently, Fr. John Cordero blessed the world-renowned brands such as Robert Mondavi, Penfolds, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Pierre Dourthe and Bollingertheir quality absolutely guaranteed!at the formal opening of The Wine Shop on the second floor of the Duty Free Fiesta Mall. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by the personable DOT Secretary Dick Gordon with the assistance of Anthonys Wines president Tita Trillo and founder-chairman Anthony Trillo.
Fr. Cordero also gave his benediction to all guests present who relished the following "gastronomical delights" prepared by Chef Mariano Anos of Beluga Bistro and Pravda Wine Bar: spicy Spanish shrimps, slivers of marinated tenderloin tips, Mexican quesadillas and a startling array of canapés topped with caviar, camembert cheese, olives and paté, ending with Belugas mouth-watering Blueberry Cheesecake.
Matching the gourmet cuisine were two kinds of wine, one from the old world, another from the new: a soft, medium-bodied Chilean wine with intense aromas of ripe fruits, the Caliterra Merlot, and a lively, fruity and fresh Bordeau, namely, Baron Philippe de Rothschilds Agneau Blanc.
The best news that night was that The Wine Shop is affordable. This will doubtless make avid converts of non-drinkersmyself included.
Against a grand setting that included exquisite pieces by sculptor Impy Pilapil, the "aristocrats" sat down to a far-from-prison fare that kept them perfecting "the art of indulgence".
At the Inter-Con, the ambiance of the new Cafe Jeepney and Deli Shop is heightened by jeepney spare parts (by Sarao) as well as by Manny Baldemors jeepney paintings and old sepia pictures of our jeepneys being driven around Paris and Dusseldorf.
Although known as the medias haven, the Cafe is frequented by tycoons, financiers and their familiesdont let the word "jeepney" mislead youfor the menu and the heavenly dessert crepe sumarai.