Monday, July 05, 2004 Mandarin nights and Zoovenir days By Chinggay V. Utzurrum
Indefatigable Club woman Linda To is to be inducted again… this time as president of the prestigious Cebu Garden Club today, July 5 at 5 p.m. at her residence, 65-P Almendras extn. Mabolo Cebu city. The installation of officers and directors will be for the period 2004-2005 and will include new members.
Here’s a little secret! This could very well be a joint celebration as she’s marking another milestone tomorrow, July 6. Toasts, Linda!
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Three days and two nights was indeed a hectic Manila stint, but the bustling here and there was made more comfortable by the hospitality of Mandarin Oriental-Manila’s director of Communication Charisse G. Chuidian and her angels… Monday evenings are magical at the hotel’s Captain’s Bar. Catch this purple-tressed siren, and torch singer Tonet Salcedo, whose enviably sleek and slim figure has endured beautifully to this day! Tonet used to have her heyday at modelling (HK at that!) and was much-sought after… but after five years, she turned her attention to music bars, and owned one of the more popular and populated ones along M.H. del Pilar St. Remember Weinstube? Which later became endangered species (the jungle décor was so appealing to diners!) where the food had enough spice and zest, to keep clients asking for more!
Let’s go back to the Captain’s Bar...What a stunning presence Tonet created...in her ice-blue sleeveless, figure-hugging pantsuit, accented only by a silver, metallic sash and with the most seasoned musicians in town, she threw guests spellbound with her rendition of “What a Difference a Day Makes”, “Fly Me to the Moon”, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”...etc.
Her style? Effortless… Her body language? Languid, but not vulgar… Her overall rating: a fabulous magical performance!
Remember, its every Monday evening at the Captain’s Bar, 9 p.m.
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To say that Mandarin’s newest restaurant, Paseo Uno, is Manila’s trendiest is an understatement. Why, it could very well be the first of its kind in Asia!
That is how first-time diners have described ambience, charm and pedigree of chic dining. Its all-day dining haven with its theatre of open kitchens indeed dramatizes their exciting buffets, as you meander around and admire the ingenious décor… frosted and colored glass, granite, marble, tile and brass, which is designed to showcase profound harmony between natural and synthetic elements.
While having your meal, you’re actually basking in Asian culture with its waterfalls, and ponds bringing calm and serenity to every bite.
Located at the lobby level of the hotel, Paseo Uno is where “The Brasserie” used to be...its 143-seating area is conducive to dining. Try their breads and crepes, for breakfast (lunch and dinner too). A whole section is reserved only for cold hors d’oeuvres, appetizers and salads.
If you flavor for the day is Asian, try their noodles, tempura, dimsums, or devour Western specialties like grill and roasts!
You’ll just drool over: Hainanese Chicken Rice, Malaysian Chicken Curry, Nasi Goreng, and our Pinoy Chicken and Pork Adobo!
Meticulously prepared by executive chef Norbert Gandler and exec Sous chef Humphrey Navarro, your meals at Paseo Uno are not only culinary adventures, but an experience out of the ordinary!
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From endangered species, Café Bar seven years ago, owner/entrepreneur Tonet Salcedo thought a bit of renovation and a change of name would be a good boost. So the name Zoovenir was born… after all the old resto had lifelike animal paintings and wildlife videos available. “And Zoovenir was the name I called my souvenir shop,” explains Tonet.
Front walls were torn down, entrance widened, and of course, menu expanded.
Those who live at the other side of town, really should make the trip to Malate...if only for the taste of these new dishes:
Eggstacy-delightful spiced eggs; mahi in a Foil Balloon – baked mahi-mahi with ginger, garlic and butter; Tuna Turner-with tuna, apples, celery and curly greens, Hungarian Fusion- a beefy goulash with linguini or spaghetti; Fried Salmon Olivia-salmon steak pan-fried on olive oil with aglio olio pasta; Cordon Bleu-smoked ham and Swiss cheese stuffed into thin sliced porkloin; Tonet’s Morcon-best stuffed meatroll there is; Chef’s Salad-its different...with grilled chicken, ham, lettuce, Swiss cheese, shredded carrots and parsley.
And these are not found in other restos: Sashimi Napoleon, Chinese Duck Salad, Zoovenir’s Lasagna, Pasta Ala Loco etc.
This is Tonet Salcedo once more. Whether she’s using her voice to entice you to her Zoovenir Resto/Bar or bids you musically with her soothing style making dull lyrics come alive, this former model-turned-restaurateur-interior decorator, makes you realized, that after all, there’s still good music!
(July 5, 2004 issue) Write letter to the editor.Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
