My lunch on March 20, 2019, at the Flame Restaurant on the 16th floor of Discovery Primea was another high culinary art experience shared with good company.
Ginger pumpkin voloute with shrimp ravioli, toasted pumpkin seeds, and leeks
Dégustation menu is usually served in sampling portions but this scallops ceviche with tempura flakes and ikura came in three small plates with two large pieces each.
The portions were not for tikim but for kain.
I scraped the toppings and ate only one piece of scallop. If this had been seared with lemon, salt, pepper, butter, and garlic, I would finish all of it.
We are not diet conscious so our goal for this year is to enjoy good food and great company. Rupert Paul Manhit, Atty. Job Ambrosio, William Co, Serge “Jun Ortiz”, me, Raymond Garcia, Tonyboy, Beth Lee, William Gatchalian, Tony Lopa, Jun Bella.
Our main course consisted of grilled prawns and US short ribs yakiniku steak with porcini bearnaise sauce.
The steak was a little too red for me so I placed them on a plate and requested the food server to bring it back to their kitchen for more searing. I wanted my steak medium well or better still, well done.
I love garlic which shows Dracula’s blood doesn’t run in my veins. For this dish, I wasn’t sure to eat this massive garlic clove. Was it placed there for art’s sake or to compliment the two pieces of medium-sized prawns and the three slices of short ribs?
Kisses or dedes
This lobster with fried rice was a favorite of Tonyboy. When he didn’t find it in the menu list prepared for our group, RP ordered several plates for sharing so all of us could try this dish. This was yang chow fried rice to me. I wanted to ask for toyo pero nahiya ako, baka ma-offend yung nagluto.
I sent the three slices of steak back to the kitchen for more searing. I wanted it well done. I asked the waitress who the chef was, kasi baka ma-offend dahil ipinabalik ko yung steak. Flame Restaurant’s executive chef is Luis Chikiamco according to her.
I ate two pieces and gave away one slice.
Preparing for the finale
Chocolate Mille-Feuille with ice cream
Serge “Jun” Ortiz (Philexport president) didn’t want to touch the dessert. Jun—-“Mamamatay ako dyan.”
A——“Ayaw mo?”
I took his plate and scooped the ice cream while Tonyboy took the chocolate dessert.
Jun—–“Ang tatapang nyo ha.”
Jun, Job, Omb, and Tony. Four years ago, Jun mentioned to me that he was moving his family to Australia to have a better and safer environment. He has changed his mind. He is still sending them abroad but he has picked another country instead.
