VALENTINE'S Day, February 14, had a more memorable take as some 250 guests were treated to a lovely evening at the Garden Hall of Eden Nature Park & Resort.
My husband Alvin and I came with our eldest son, Sean who was greatly impressed by the hall that was transformed into a party venue suited for lovers, friends and families.
At the registration desk, I was surprised to be handed a bouquet of fresh colorful flowers and a box of Kisses chocolates. As if these were not enough, Eden Nature Park & Resort marketing manager Brenda Ocampo also showed me the spot where the elegant shawls were displayed, telling me to choose one. She suggested the aqua blue-colored shawl for me.
"That will keep you warm in this cool evening," Ocampo smiled.
She later said, "The shawl was a warm gesture on a chilly night, it was the perfect gift for the ladies. The shawl not only adds some flair to the outfit, it can also provide warmth."
She then gave me a photobooth stub so my boys and I can take home a souvenir photo from Kapcher Photo Booth.
We were escorted to our table then as we took our seats, we saw the hall decorated with white, red and pink ceiling works and the stage where Acoustic Theory band performed timeless love songs, classics and R&B had giant red balloons shaped into L-O-V-E for that perfect photo backdrop.
The waiter then gave us glasses of wine while we sat and appreciated a mixed crowd of young sweethearts, parents with their children and old couples who may be reliving their love at first sight meetings.
Before we decided to check out the buffet table, my favorite videoke song `Til I Met You of Pop diva Kuh Ledesma filled the air so I sang along while hubby and Sean listened.
When the song ended, off we went for our dinner. On the menu were a Garden Salad Bar, Chicken Potato Salad, Cream of Forest Mushroom Soup,
Honey and Orange Glazed Chicken, Parmesan Crusted Beef Casserole, Salmon and Tanguigue Steaks with Basil Pesto, Potato Gratin, Baked Penne, Fra Diavolo, steamed rice, fresh fruits slices, Fruit Cocktail Creme Brulee, Strawberry Cheesecake and Red Velvet Cake.
Sean had his fill of the Orange Glazed Chicken with rice while Alvin tried most of the dishes sans the rice and I had a small serving of the Parmesan Crusted beef Casserole and Salmon steak with rice, of course.
But I had extra servings of the garden fresh salad and refilled it twice, Hahahaha.
Some guests came later than we did but they still stayed out for the second set of the band as they enjoyed the sumptuous buffet dinner with their loved-ones.
While others retired to their respective comfy and lovely accommodations at the resort, few guests went straight home with a beautiful memory of that Valentine dinner date aptly themed as Eat. Stay. Love.
Dinner
We actually had our Valentine's dinner the day before THE DAY. We did not want to join the crowd that would troop, push and manhandle their way to the various eating places. So on February 13 my wife and I had dinner in one of our favorite restaurants, Marina Tuna. (I will write why in one of the future articles so let us leave it at that for now.)
We already had plans for the February 14 dinner. We were going to order pizza (hopefully not heart shaped) and then after we would watch that Korean telenovela The Prime Minister and I or some other movie.
I even had popcorn ready for the evening. But it was not meant to be. In the middle of dinner, Chona got a call and we were invited to dinner at Villa Margarita. When Chona read the menu, it sounded a lot better than the pizza (even heart shaped at that) we planned to have. And so we decided to have dinner at Villa Margarita on February 14. Miguel was in Manila. Raphael and his girlfriend decided to have an early dinner at some Japanese restaurant and Gabriel was also in Manila to spend Valentine's with his girlfriend. So it was just Chona and myself.
When we got to Villa we were seated together with the siblings of Chona. We had a round table. We met several friends and relatives.
We started dinner with the appetizers that were tempting already. We had Penne Crackaroni Bites smothered with basil and parmesan cheese, Liver Pate with Truffle Oil, Spinach Mozarella Dip served with melba toasts, crostinis and crackers and Salsa Cruda served with nachos. And that was just for starters.
Salads were two varieties. Potato Shrimp and KM Salad with assorted greens with mushrooms, croutons, bacon bits, diced eggs in Honey Cider dressing served with rolls, French bread and butter.
For the Main Course, well it was a really delight to have all those courses. There was Lengua Con Cetes. Now I have to say I am not so particular about lengua but that Lengua that night changed my mind. The sauce was creamy and just right. I actually had second servings of the lengua. Then we had Iberian Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic but it really did not matter to me. That was a mean dish that was really good.
Fish in Hunan Sauce with mushroom was another course. But this was one night that I would not eat so much fish but it was good. The wet paella was delicious and since I always liked paella it was a done deal with me. But the dish that I really liked was the Quattro Formaggio Lasagna.
I think I had three servings of that. I actually had bread and the lasagna as a meal. Swiped the lasagna with the bread and downed it with the red wine. That was a great dinner That was a lot better than a heart shaped pizza.
But it was not over. Dessert was coming. There was Peach Strawberry Gelatin, which I had. Tablea Flan was also served. Banana Bread Pudding, Coco Panna Cotta and fresh fruit. If that was not enough, then you are right.
Maritel brought dessert, a durian souffle which was so yummy that I had extra servings but I had to stop early on because I was already full and at my age, I can only take so much durian. But trust me about that souffle, it was something. Thank You Maritel.
The ambience of that dinner was right, easy and fun. A young lady played the violin and the night was on. The conversation was light and varied. The food was just right. More than right. It was simply delicious.
The dinner was advertised as the Best Of Villa Margarita and it was. My compliments to Baby Montemayor and Villa Margarita.