Thursday, November 08, 2007 Utzurrum: Latitude, at last! By Chinggay V. Utzurrum: The Scene
REMINDERS: Sunday, Nov. 11, Montebello Villa Hotel will hold an On-The-Spot Children’s painting competition titled Pasko sa Sugbo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the hotel’s sprawling grounds.
The competition will be sponsored by the hotel in cooperation with the Cebu Artist’s Inc. (CAI). It is open to all students, from public and private schools in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue., from Grades 4 to 6. For more info, please call Marnie Jacinto of the hotel’s Business Center at tel. 231-3681 to 89, local 4002.
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On the subject of art, still another project of CAI is the ongoing group exhibit, Food for the Soul 2, held in cooperation with Golden Cowrie Native restaurant, at their premises, Salinas drive. The exhibit will run till Nov. 19.
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Definitely a welcome addition to Manila’s pulsating Coffee Shop row is the newly renovated Lobby Shop of Traders Hotel, along Roxas Blvd., now called Latitude.
And very appropriately so, with its warm look of rich woods and muted fabrics, complemented with mood lighting. Its radiant restaurant interiors suggest a feeling of space, so its name, Latitude; but because of an intimate, high-backed seating arrangement, the sensation is that of coziness coupled with a varied dining experience.
Give credit to talented and promising interior designer Kaye Fordelon Tagle.
Lending their prestigious presence to the occasion were Andrea Mastellone, GM of Traders Hotel (THM), and Julie C. Benedicto, chairperson of RSB Group of companies and New Riviera Hotel Development Co. (NRHDC), owning company of the THM, which is also a Shangri-la managed property. Very visible also was Greg Dogan, COO and general manager of NRHDC and managing director of all Shangri-la Philippines properties and our good friend, Maggie Garcia, resident manager of Shang-rila Resort and Spa, Boracay, which we heard is soon to open.
We cannot say enough of executive sous chef Edwin Santos’ culinary expertise. His skills were honed as an apprentice in top international hotel chains, most recent of which was at the popular Circles at Makati Shangri-la.
As you ease yourself into the 150-seat dining showplace, prepare to be pampered by the international menu from culinary capitals in the Philippines, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand and South Africa.
After all, the Traders’ brand of service will manifest itself in the impeccable tableside presentations of a carver, soups, salads, cheeses and desserts.
Meals are never complete without coffee or tea. Pass the sugar, please!
