Farewell to Tivoli.

For those who were not able to dine in The Tivoli, I kind of feel bad for you. No, I feel a lot bad for you because you may have to wait for so many years before you can dine again in such a fine restaurant in Mandarin Oriental. 

Luckily for my gang and I, we were able to dine last week in my favorite restaurant in Manila. 

Sad to say that Tivoli will be closing tomorrow, Friday after lunch. Two days ago, I tried my very best to book my friends a table. I tried to book myself a table and they just could not accept anymore reservations because they are filled to the brim with diners. 

So anyway, for those who missed out..... this one's for you. 

To Tivoli, THANK YOU for all the memories, laughter, friendship, great service and thousands of calories. See you again soon! 

Memories: Best of the Best at the Tivoli.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MANILA WELCOMES BACK FORMER EXECUTIVE CHEF NORBERT GANDLER FOR “MEMORIES: BEST OF THE BEST AT THE TIVOLI”

The Tivoli, Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s signature European fine-dining restaurant, takes guests on a culinary journey down memory lane on July 11 via the cuisine of the restaurant’s celebrated former

Executive Chef Norbert Gandler. The one-night only dinner fete will kick-start the two-week “MeMOries: Best of the Best in The Tivoli” promotion which begins on July 16, marking the restaurant’s grand finale following the recent announcement of the hotel’s closure later this year.

Accompanying Norbert Gandler for the highly-anticipated dinner affair are the renowned former Executive Pastry Chef Ernie Babaran and former Sous Chef Kenneth Cacho. Together, they will recreate some of The Tivoli’s best-loved dishes and timeless favourites as part of an exquisite nine-course Degustation menu. Tivoli aficionados can look forward to indulging in such classics as: Millionaire’s Salad, The Tivoli Bouillabaisse, Port Wine Braised “Mulawarra” Veal Cheeks, Australian Bultarra Saltbush Lamb, and Roasted Nebraska Prime Angus Beef Strip Loin, among others. The Degustation menu is priced at PHP 2,400, subject to prevailing taxes and service charge.

Norbert Gandler began as Executive Sous Chef of The Tivoli (erstwhile The Tivoli Grill) from 1989 to 1992, and then later returned as Executive Chef from 1995 to 2003. He is currently Executive Director at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM) which he runs with the assistance of both Ernie Babaran, the school’s Director for Pastry and Baking Arts, and Kenneth Cacho, one of the school’s Chef Instructors. Gandler also owns Aubergine Restaurant and Patisserie, a fine-dining restaurant where students of ISCAHM also receive their training.

“We are all looking forward to the return of Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s legendary Chef Norbert and renowned formers chefs Ernie and Kenneth, all of whom have had significant contributions to making The Tivoli the preeminent restaurant that it is today,” shares Rene Ottlik, Executive Chef. “We hope that our guests will enjoy relishing some of The Tivoli’s best-loved dishes from days past, for one last time before we close our doors”.

Villa d'Este, My Wedding Venue Choice #1.

Villa d’Este, masterpiece of the Italian Garden, is included in the UNESCO world heritage list. With its impressive concentration of fountains, nymphs, grottoes, plays of water, and music, it constitutes a much-copied model for European gardens in the mannerist and baroque styles. 

 The garden is generally considered within the larger –and altogether extraordinary-- context of Tivoli itself: its landscape, art and history which includes the important ruins of ancient villas such as the Villa Adriana, as well as a zone rich in caves and waterfalls displaying the unending battle between water and stone. The imposing constructions and the series of terraces above terraces bring to mind the hanging gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world. The addition of water-- including an aqueduct tunneling beneath the city -- evokes the engineering skill of the Romans themselves.

Read more about Villa d'Este HERE. 

I think it's the most beautiful garden ever. 

Daddy thinks so too. 

Actually, the WHOLE family feels the same way about Villa d'Este. Yes, all 20 of us. 

I think this is where I want to get married. 

Cedric and his whole family. 

I have only one pair of rubber shoes. I use it for the very little time I go to the gym. I don't know how to wear them casually but I was told that for this month long trip, I need to buy one. So I got a pair of Nike and up until now, I still don't know if I wore it right. 

I do however, love all the colors that they come in. 

I got one for Jacqueline too! I think it looks better on the young ones. 

Carebear, comfort is my first name. I wore it with my Geox jacket, a birthday gift from Ginny! Thank you sister!