Candy x Bella.

I finally got my foodie lover friends together for a dinner at Ms. Bella Yuchengco's residence. 

This is the only reason you can make me go to Ayala Alabang. 

Tita Bella's cooking is SUPERB. You have to understand, she never studied in some fancy schmancy school. She just learned how to cook by trial and error by putting this with that. I WANT TO BE AS TALENTED AS HER...but since I can't I will just have to wait for the next invitation or organize another dinner with amazing people as I have done last week. 

Amuse

Melon, Pecorino, Prosciutto

Appetizers

Cauliflower Steak, Organic Egg, Bacon Jam

Twice Baked Souffle

We put some bacon jam on top of the souffle and it just blew our mind. 

Main Course

Seafood, Farlic, Olive Oil

Ribeye, Roasted Grape Gravy, Garlic Apple Compote, Cilantro Dressing

Dessert

Salted Chocolate Caramel Pots

Thank you Sunshine for the Quezo de Bola Cheesecake. Really very delicious. 

To my gang, thank you for doing the trek. I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as I did. 

We really missed you Iza. 

Rajo, Charisse, Lucy, Jacqueline, Tita Bella, Sonja, Tess, Cecile, Nix

Ben, yours truly and Jeroen. 

Inspecting the kitchen where magic happens. 

To order the quezo de bola cheesecake, please follow Sunshine Pengson on Instagram. 

@sunshinepengson

Sunday's Best!

I don't know what was best about this lunch I had two Sundays ago. 

The company, the food or the place. 

I suppose that after you have seen all the photos, you will agree with me when I say that all three was something anyone in their right mind would immensely enjoy.

An hour and a half (including traffic) from Makati, we found the home of Rene Orosa hidden somewhere in Alfonso, Cavite. 

I was told about the great cook that he is, especially the adobo with foie gras so I had skipped my breakfast to prepare myself for what was prepared for us. If that isn't enough, I was going to go with Ms. Bella Yuchengco, who brought with her green mango salad with chicharon toppings and dessert.

Anyway, will tell you more about the food later, right now, I want to show you the weekend home of Rene. 

I love the use of old wood and cemented floor. 

And now, for the FOOD!!!

Tita Bella's delicious salad. I could eat this every single day of my life. It's THAT good. 

The famous adobo with foie gras. I loved the way the adobo came off the bone without effort. Rene's instructions was to drown your rice with the sauce. It's exactly what I did! Not sure how I can ever eat adobo without foie gras from now on. 

I totally forgot what the name of this fish is but it is probably I also forgot my name after eating it. It's tender, moist and flavorful. Best thing about it? It's boneless!!! 

Prawn salad with heart of banana in coconut milk! I especially love where the dish is served. Never thought that the skin of the heart of banana can be so pretty. 

For dessert, homemade pineapple turnover. Seriously the best I have had in my whole life. That's probably because this dessert never really interested me but now that I have had this, I am hooked. 

Tita Bella also made homemade mango samurai. Now, tell me, with friends like this, how the heck am I ever going to lose weight?? 

The happy campers. 

Let this NOT be the last time please!!!!!! 

I love my life. 

Bella Cucina!!

When an invitation is extended to you by Ms. Bella Yuchengco, you would be insane NOT to cancel whatever you may have that day and miss an evening of extraordinary dining. 

Sunshine Puey Pengson and Bella Yuchengco

The table for 14 was set beautifully. A personal tray with chopsticks, utensils, napkin and sauce dish only made us all antsy with excitement. Most of us skipped lunch so that there would be space for what's to come. 

Amidst the fun of storytelling, a lot of oohs and ahhhs were exchanged when the first dish arrived.  It was so delicious that we were a bit afraid that two was just not enough. But all worry was put to rest when Tita Bella brought out a plateful of the dumplings. In the end, each of us had 3 or more. 

Two Way Dumpling

Not only was the dinner a feast for the eyes, it also awakened our sense of taste and brought it to a new level of standards. Our dilemma? After this, how can we eat normal food ever again? 

Simmered Corn Soup, Crab Claw

By now, I am pretty sure you are amazed at how the dishes are plated. The bowls, spoons, plates each came with an interesting story as to how it ended up in Bella's kitchen. A trip to Australia, Tokyo, the US and many more countries are the sources of these wonderful containers. 

Minced Beef, Chinese Spaghetti Noodles

Shredder Cucumber. 

Scallop XO Dumplings. 

 Braised Eggplant in Hot Pot, Lotus Wrapper

Crispy Pork Wedges, Sweet and Sour Sauce. 

 Ice Cold Almond Jelly, Assorted Summer Fruits

Cheesecake Springroll with Caramel Sauce. 

Selection of Coffee and Tea. 

As if that gastronomical gift of Tita Bella was not enough, the plan for the next food excursion was on the way. With friends that can cook this well, the word DIET means absolutely nothing. 

Thank you very much for making me a part of the gang. 

Envy Me.

When Tita Bella heard about my ouchy heart incident, she texted me to ask me how I was doing. She gave me encouraging words and made me feel much better afterwards. After a few weeks, she and I met up at the Pen store to discuss a design. She then asked me for lunch and if you know Tita Bella and her knowledge about what great food is all about, I would be stupid to say no.

It was to be in Jasmine of The Renaissance Hotel. A Chinese restaurant that I have always wanted to go back to. The first time I was there was with CYT and Janina and we only had a few delicious dimsum.

With Tita Bella taking charge of the ordering, I knew I was in super great calorific hands.

ENJOY!

Chef Wing Ki Choi prepared our lunch which Cedric, Tita Bella and I went through like a hurricane.

Crispy lechon skin with bread and lechon meat on the bottom (salivating as I type).




The chef came out to say hello and to personally prepare my shao lung pao. Is there better service than this?




Lobster!!! I was so spoiled because T. Bella had to ask the kitchen to take the shells out for me. I am not so good at taking the meat out of crustaceans.


MMMMM, the warm barbeque pork buns are to die for.


Tenderloin slivers with garlic. Although we found the meat to be a bit tough, the flavor was so good!!! I must have had half of the plate. Cedric ate the rest with is rice, which I forgot to take a photo of (GRRR!!!).


Oh my goodness....YOU must try this dish. It is truly delicious that next time I go to Jasmine, I will order one JUST FOR ME ALONE!!

Butchi with dark chocolate oooozing out from in the inside.


Ok, your bloggerina failed to take the names of dishes that T. Bella ordered so to make it easy for you, print out the photo below and just give that to the waitress and VOILA!!! Just make sure you wear loose pants when you decide to eat here.



Here's another tidbit from the food expert, Tita Bella told Cedric and I that on Sundays, they have a dimsum festival going on and it is ALL YOU CAN EAT ICE CREAM!!!! How cool is that?

My lunch with two great friends. Thank you Tita for caring so much about me. Until our next FOODSCAPADE!!!