Thursday, June 12, 2008 Utzurrum: Birthdays, beauties, baby back ribs By Chinggay Utzurrum:The scene
Before we leave Santacruzan season, we’d like to say our piece about the Santacruzan sponsored by the Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Assn. of Cebu (hrrac), Clothes for Life, and the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
Holy Mass preceded this religious Maytime festival, then a procession of the various queens, princesses, representing Mama Mary’s titles in the Catholic litanies, biblical characters etc. at the hotel’s lush gardens, ending up at the grand ballroom, ‘After all the sagalas and reinas had made their curtseys, Mama Mary made her glorious appearance on a dais carried by four devotees.
May festivities always revolve around Mama Mary, namely the Flores De Mayo and now the Santacruzan, which features songs, dances, and a cultural fashion show. Much applauded were local musical belles Zuri Vidal, a soprano of unbelievable vocal talent, and Dulce, she of the booming, voluminous vocal chords.
Today, we feature past and present reinas, who embody the glamour, glitz and generosity of their persona.
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We can truthfully attest to the fact that the best baby back ribs we’ve ever tasted was at La Maison Steak and Ribs restaurant, and might even conclude that this is the house that baby back ribs built.
This started some years back at JY Square Mall with several partners, a good
location and a sumptuous menu. Today, La Maison has a success story to tell.
There are now three restaurants in the country. One at Ayala Center Cebu and two in Manila at Trinoma and Greenbelt 5.
But there’s more to this place than ribs. Recently, we had occasion to meet chef Thom Santiago, who introduced a menu called Singular Sensations’ featuring French classics, like La Charcroute, Sole Tapanade, Coq au Vin, Quiche Lorraine, and other mouth-watering mainstays. There’s also New Hot Summer Specials, like South Western Chicken Roll, La Poulet Maison, Asian Persuasion, etc.
Pricey? Far from it. They strive to maintain a reputation for good food, generous helpings and super affordable prices, and guess what? La Maison does catering of any memorable occasion, be it a wedding, graduation, birthday, breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Now, did we say that La Maison had three branches? Make that four; they just opened their latest at The Podium Mall in Manila. Can Dubai be far behind?
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Speaking of birthdays, we’d like to greet with a kiss and hug and all good wishes Tina “Tin” Unchuan, who not only turned a year older, but also looked more youthful and fulfilled. What’s your secret, Tin, your party guests at La Gondola are dying to know?
Meantime, here’s a toast to more youthful days ahead!
