Highlights @Harold's Hotel

view deck area

Like always, indecisive where to eat out, our good friend Ethy suggested to try the newly opened Restuarant at the Harold's Hotel.


At Hightlights, Dinner is served in a welcoming atmosphere that is good for dining with your special someone or an afterwork relaxation with friends at the bar.  Instead of the air-conditioned dining area, we chose to be served at their view deck area since it has a great view of the city.

During our visit, we were served with their Valentines Degustation Dinner, a 6-course meal that starts with a Cajun seared medium Prawns over Avocado Relish and Tuna Tatake Square with Soy-Lime Vinaigrette and Jicama Salad.  I just loved how the ingredients complimented each taste.

two-lovers

The soup was then served. Butternut SquashSoup in Coco Cream and Red Beef Coulis served with Heart Shape Fleuron Biscuit.  It was creamy and a good way to warm us from the cool air outside.

Butternut Squash Soup

The Cold Entree was a Selection of Garden Lettuce with Pomelo and Mandarin Orange Segment Sprinkled with a Feta Cheese Crumble and Passion Fruit Vinaigrette paired with Watermelon Mojito Shooter.  It was citrusy for me however the cheese did cleanse my palate and ready for the Main course.

selection of Garden Lettuce

The Main Course was a choice of Oven Baked Honey-Miso Glazed Blue Marlin Fish Fillet with Mango Salsa & Bell Pepper Butter served with Balsamic Roasted Vegetable and Steamed Rice or a Chargrilled Beef Tenderloin Medallion with Shiraz Red Wine Sauce and Mushroom Compote served with Berny Potato and Balsamic Glazed Roasted Vegetables.  I picked the Beef Tenderloin Medallion, the meat was okey but i would refer it if it was a bit more tender.



Chargrilled Beef Tenderloin Medallion



Oven Baked Honey-Miso Glazed Blue Marlin Fish Fillet

I just love the part where  Desserts are served. A trio of Chocolate Decadence, Grilled Banana and Caramel Bavarios.  For me, the best part of it was the grilled Banana, its sweetness was just enough to tickle my taste buds.

desser trio

 And a cup of tea is a great way to finish a wonderful dinner.

Highlights is a good place to take those stress away over dinner or to feel the city breeze with a glass of wine.
Should you plan to dine at Highlights, it would be best to reserve a table first  by calling in to avoid the wait.  It seems that the place is gaining its popularity.
For Reservations Call (032) 232 - 8888 loc 7045 or (032) 505-7777
The Restaurant only serves Dinner from 5 pm until 12am (midnight)

with friends

pasto sontuoso!.

SHANGRI-LA'S MACTAN RESORT AND SPA, CEBU

WELCOMES NEW ITALIAN CHEF

A Sunny Day at Shangri-la Mactan Cebu as we dine to Welcome Chef Marco Ghezzi, the resort's new Italian Chef, A native of Milan, Chef Marco is backed by more than 16 years of professional culinary experience and a sous chef at the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan, Italy prior to joining Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in the 4th quarter of 2010.

Chef Marco Ghezzi

"We are pleased to have Chef Marco join our team.  His skills and passion for authentic Italian cuisine will ensure a memorable dining experience for our guests.  With him on board, guests can expect new and exciting offerings at Acqua in the coming months,"  said Joris Rycken, Shangri-la's Mactan Resort and Spa's Excecutive Chef.



Battuta di salmone aromatizzato al limone



We started our meal with Battuta di salmone aromatizzato al limone, a thinly-sliced salmon fillet drizzled with citrus dressing and shaved fennel salad. I just love salmon and the combination of it all made me love it even better.




Zuppa di orzo perlato co pomodorini e speck

 

Then served with Zuppa di orzo perlato co pomodorini e speck, Barley soup with tomatoes and bacon.



Tagliolini al nero di seppia in crema di piselli

 



Tagliolini al nero di seppia in crema di piselli, Black tagliolini with prawns and calamari served on green pea sauce. This i love the most, i wouldn't have stopped eating it...hehehe! if not only for the the anticipation of the next dish , the Carre d' Agnello polenta grigliata e capponata di verdure e rosmarino, a Rack of lamb on grilled polenta and ratatouille of vegetables with rosemary.  It was the first time i tasted lamb and it was so good that i'm sure to include it as one of my fave dishes.

Carre d' Agnello polenta grigliata e capponata di verdure e rosmarino





For Dessert, Semifreddo al cioccolato bianco e canella, white chocolate and cinnamon parfait with prune compote.  Perfect to finish off a great meal, a sumptuous lunch indeed!

Semifreddo al cioccolato bianco e canella

The simplicity of all the ingridients and how it compliments each other makes your taste buds appreciate how refined it is. It's difficult not to love all the dishes. pasto sontuoso!

with Doyzkie, Chef Marco and Ms. Aiza

Thank you to Shangri-Las Rica Rellon for the invite and Chef Marco Ghezzi for a wonderful lunch and to Andrew "Doyzkie" Buenaviaje and Ms. Aiza for the lovely company.



Visit ACQUA  @ Shangri-la Resort and Spa, Poolside Ocean Wing 

Breakfast: 6am – 10am
Lunch:     noon – 2:30pm
Dinner:     6pm – 10pm

For inquiries and reservations , please call (032) 231.8224 or email mac@shangri-la.com

Dress Code : Smart casual

Smoking Policy : Acqua has separate smoking and non-smoking areas.



Trenta, Anyone?

Supersize your Starbucks cup, so is Venti not enough?




source : http://beyond-the-norms.org/2011/01/starbucks-trenta/



A New Year, New Logo and A New Drink Size for Starbucks Customers.

TRENTA. (31 ounce or 916 ml) a cup 11 ounces more than a Venti Drink will be introduced to 14 States in the US (Alabama, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Georgia,New Mexico, Hawaii and Nevada) on January 18, 2011 and will be followed by California on Febuary 1 and to all Consumers by May 3,2011.

Starbucks Trenta will cost 50 cents more than the Starbucks Venti and will only be available for Tazo Iced Tea, Iced Coffee and Iced Tea Lemonade Drinks. 

Starbucks Company pointed out that the unsweetened versions of their drinks will still have fewer than 90 calories, with sweetened versions under 230 calories.

www.smcinema.com

November 18, 2010. "SM Cinema unveils a digital masterpiece in http://www.smcinema.com/.  The new website offers a fresh new look, a distinctive feel and absolute experience.  SM Cinema along with Marketing Convergence Inc. and Mobile Group Inc. have teamed up to bring you this state of the art information super portal."

NO MORE LINES. GO ONLINE.

Now, you can reserve and purchase tickets online anywhere you may be, just log in to smcinema.com.

With four easy steps, you're on your way to enjoying the movie that you want without any hassle.

After clicking on the time slot of the movie you want to watch, you can then select the seats you want  (unless it's a free seating) and the number of seats you want to purchase.  

Review and confirm the details.  Payment is available through major credit cards and Globe GCash.  Once your tickets are purchased, you have an option to either print the email verification or receive the eTicket through your mobile phone. 

 Scan the eTicket on your mobile phone or the printed confirmation copy on BCode machines located at cinema lobbies and your movie tickets will be printed instantly.

BCode machines will recognize all mobile phones, may it be the 2 liner phones, or the old school black and white screen or perhaps the colored LCD's.

The Website and Online ticketing launch at SM City Cebu  was graced with the performances of Miguel Escueta and Sabrina.

with Sabrina and Harry Potter Cosplayers

with miguel escueta and Harry Potter Cospalyers

more photos @ http://www.facebook.com/hoshi.letoile#!/album.php?aid=332828&id=600428031

TRON : LEGACY

TRON: LEGACY (In Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D)
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
WEBSITE : disney.go.com/TRON/

FACEBOOK : http://www.facebook.com/Tron

Follow WDP on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TronLegacy

Genre: Action-Adventure
Rating: TBD
U.S. Release Date: December 17, 2010

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett and Michael Sheen
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Producers: Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Steven Lisberger
Executive Producer: Donald Kushner
Written by: Eddy Kitsis & Adam Horowitz (credit not final)
Based on characters created by: Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird

“TRON: Legacy” is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-winner Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the old Flynn’s Arcade—a signal that could only come from his father—he finds himself pulled into a digital world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe—a universe created by Kevin himself that has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons, landscapes and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and scored by Grammy® Award-winning electronic music duo Daft Punk, “TRON: Legacy” hits U.S. theaters on Dec. 17, 2010, in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D. 
Notes:
• Producer Steven Lisberger co-wrote and directed the original “TRON” (1982).
• Jeff Bridges, winner of both the Oscar® and Golden Globe® for his role in “Crazy Heart,” reprises the role of Kevin Flynn, which he originated in “TRON” (1982).
• Bruce Boxleitner reprises the roles of Alan Bradley and Tron, which he originated in “TRON” (1982).
• Grammy® Award-winning Daft Punk is composing the music for “TRON: Legacy.” 
• “TRON: Legacy” forges a new frontier in filmmaking with its avant-garde, cutting-edge technology—set to blow away today’s audiences. Among the film’s firsts: it is the first 3D movie to integrate a fully digital head and body based upon an existing actor, creating the younger version of Jeff Bridges’ character; it’s the first movie to make extensive use of self-illuminated costumes; it’s the first movie to create molded costumes using digital sculpture exclusively, creating molds directly from computer files using CNC (Computer Numerical Cutting) technology; it’s the first 3D movie shot with 35mm lenses and full-35mm chip cameras; and it’s the first movie to record uncompressed HD Video to Hard Drive.
• The world of “TRON: Legacy” has an exciting, pulsing vibe that sets its lifestyle apart from any other on or off the planet. From electric light suits to state-of-the-art hair and makeup, elements of the trend-setting world of “TRON: Legacy” are showing up on fashion runways, and companies such as Hurley, adidas, Oakley and Burton are featuring “TRON”-inspired lines targeted for the young male consumer in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products.

“TRON: Legacy” is a 3D high-tech adventure about a father and son (Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund) who embark on a life-and-death journey of escape across a visually stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

A special 20 minute Sneak Peak for Tron Fanatics!

20+ MINUTE 3D SNEAK PEEK ELECTRIFIES AUDIENCES
AROUND THE WORLD WITH “TRON NIGHT: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE”

• TRON Night: An IMAX 3D Experience, a special event on October 28, 2010, that will give audiences worldwide the first opportunity to step onto the Grid and into the cutting-edge, 3D world of Walt Disney Pictures’ high-tech adventure “TRON: Legacy,” during an exciting 20-plus-minute sneak peek of the highly anticipated film.

Select IMAX 3D theaters nationwide and 3D & IMAX 3D theaters internationally will offer a special screening of thrilling, never-before-seen 3D footage. “It’s exciting to offer fans an early, exclusive 3D preview of ‘TRON: Legacy’ in the ultimate of formats. We can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience the visually stunning and cutting-edge world that director Joe Kosinski has created,” said Sean Bailey, President of Production, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. 

Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, is equally enthusiastic. “We are ecstatic that the Disney team and the ‘TRON: Legacy’ filmmakers elected to debut this amazing footage exclusively in our network of theaters,” said Foster. “This first-look in IMAX 3D is the most immersive way to bring audiences into the world of ‘TRON: Legacy’ and kick-off the countdown to the film’s highly-anticipated launch.” 

Walt Disney Pictures’ “TRON: Legacy” Opens in theatres December 17, 2010

Preview Magazine at 15.

PREVIEW

October 16, 2010.Preview Magazine celebrate its 15th anniversary at The Penthouse.  The party was all about GLITZ N' GLAM! At 15, its CRYSTALS everywhere, everyone flaunted their dresses and accessories with crystals.

Just to name a few spotted celebrities at the party: Raymund Gutierrez, Bianca Gonzales, Borgy Manotoc,Tim Yap, Bianca Gonzales, and Liz Uy.

10:00 pm. We arrived at the party and Just in time as the real party begins. The night was full of Fun,Dancing and booze.  I love how the place was decorated it's like I'm in Winter Wonderland [in Crystals].(nyahaha)

I had so much fun that night and i didn't even realized it was about5 hours of non-stop dancing, ( no wonder why feet hurts the next day). 

Well, need i say more? I bet the photos will speak for itself.

spotted celebrities

the gang with tim yap

with raymund gutierrez

Congratulations!!!Thank you Preview for an awesome party!

Thank you to ACRE International for my accessories.

Thank you to Greg Nuega for the photos.

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CAFE ELYSA

CAFE ELYSA. One of cebu's newest dining places which offers  Local and Travel Inspired Cuisine. It is situated in the heart of Parian, the old Chinese District of Cebu.  The Cafe is named after Elysa Sanson Aznar, the mother of  the proprietor, Stephen Aznar who is a sommelier and culinary specialist.

iluvcebu.com team with steve aznar and chef skippy borromeo

Stephen Aznar 

October 14, 2010. My friends and I were invited to dine and enjoy the facinating dishes they offer. Our dinner was definitely like a home-cooked meal. Thank you to Jude Bacalso for the invite. 

 I was amazed that they served Caviar which was very tasty.

A few of the dishes I love were Salt and Pepper Squid in a bed of Bokchoy, Spicy Beef and Eggplant Cake with Red Curry topped with Holy Basil and the Popcorn Shrimp.  The Pinoy lumpia was yummy however the Thai Spring Roll taste even better.  The Elysa Rice is definitely a must-have when dining at Cafe Elysa especially if you are on a diet. It could be a guilt free fried rice because it seems that it wasn't cooked with oil (hehehe!). 

Salt and Pepper Squid in a bed of Bokchoy

Popcorn Shrimp

Tangigue Ceviche

Tangigue Ceviche (Kinilaw as we call it) was very inviting and for the first time, i tasted a Kinilaw, the fish was fresh and i was definitely not dissappointed although it would have been best for me if it were a little bit spicy but for those who doesn't like Spicy Food, it is highly recommended.  The Chicken Liver Pate was good however it was served with too much Pate and the Pasta Bolognese with Basil and Grana Padano Cheese  was a bit salty for my taste.

Our Dessert, Apple and Banana Fritter was indeed great drowned with the sauce, as i was told.

The place is cozy and relaxing. I like the Interior of the Cafe because it feels like you are just having dinner at home.  It is also decorated with some paintings for sale. 

What's different about this Cafe is that they serve a Standard Local Menu and a Special Menu that changes based on the Menu of the Guest Chef.

The Local Menu will let you experience the culture of cebu through dining and what cebu menu is all about.  The Local Menu is based on the recipes of the long-time family cook of the Aznar’s.

october 22,2010 menu

On October 22, 2010. Cafe Elysa will serve a Special Menu - an American Cuisine with a Filipino Taste by their guest Chef Skippy Borromeo. 

So, pick up the phone and reserve a table now.
 

Cafe Elysa

30-A Zamora St. Parian, Cebu City

Phone # (032) 414-9265 / 426-6793

Mobile # +63921-4538377 / 0908-8724980

Email : bellespicestz@yahoo.com





more photos :

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=322392&id=600428031&l=2c7a294194