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.



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