Three weeks ago it crossed my mind to host a special lunch at Benjarong for my colleagues at Philippines, Inc. I changed my mind kasi most people are still wary of attending gatherings. We all got used to being isolated and just spending time with close family members. And since my birthday falls on a Friday, I don’t want to inconvenience them to sit in heavy traffic. Mga seniors na lahat sila except for Raymond Garcia, Mike Toledo, and RP Manhit.
Then maybe I’ll invite female friends to join my family for dinner. I changed my mind too. Having a big group requires more preparation. Ang hirap nga maghanap ng right venue.
I settled to have a simple dinner with my family minus Nyke plus Kuya Lito. Para simple ang buhay.
Yen and I had a hard time looking for restaurants. They were all fully booked on this Friday night. I gave her a shortlist and yet they were all full. I wanted fine dining syempre kasi it’s my birthday para naman it would feel a little bit special but fine dining restos are limited. They are mostly in BGC, Makati, and the casino area in Pasay City. We didn’t want to drive that far kasi nga Friday night traffic.
The restaurant we picked for my simple birthday dinner is Mireio, a French restaurant on the 9th floor of Raffles Hotel near Landmark Department Store, at the corner of Pasay Road and Makati Avenue.
Our reservation was at 6:30 pm but we arrived at 6:40 pm. Not so bad.
Ay ang hirap maghanap ng isusuot pag malaki ang tyan. Etong blouse na suot ko I bought from the Anthropologie store in Corte Madera last February I think.
This was the last piece kaya siguro sale na. I was glad it fits me. I think it’s medium. I can’t read the label malabo na mata ko. It’s made in India. India has very intricate laces and other sophisticated fabrics. Merong mga pakintab kaya when I saw it at the store I wasn’t sure at first. Baka magmukha akong pupunta sa disco.
Dapat pala we came here while the sun is still up so we could enjoy the partial view better. The trick in taking photos in this situation is to stick your camera right on the glass to avoid the reflections.
Mireio looks like a stylish casual restaurant, not exactly fine dining. We like casual, relax lang, not stiff. Stiff is reserved for something else.
Oyen wanted iced tea but the waiter said they don’t have iced tea, he’ll ask daw if they could prepare one. She ended up having mango juice instead.
Gin and Tonic Cart
Most people come at past 7 pm for dinner so lately we go to restaurants at 6 pm, 6:30, to avoid the rush. At least when the wave comes, we are already comfortably seated.
I really do like the tall candle beside the fresh tiny pink floras. Of all the restaurant’s decor, this is what appeal to me the most.
In all the years that I have spent my birthday with Mr. McGyver Woods Yee, I still remember the three birthdays that he made me cry. Definitely not intentional but just being oblivious and insensitive to my feelings. One was here at our residence in Manila, one was when we were vacationing in Turkey before going to the hotel’s restaurant, and one was when we were with Nyke and Oyen in Vietnam. Those memories make me nervous whenever my birthday is coming. I always wish sana hindi ako ma-stress sa birthday ko.
Chuweet na chuweet
The menu’s fonts are very small I couldn’t read them.
I ate 3 pieces of dark round buns and that curbed my hunger, and appetite too.
Oyen ordered a few appetizers to share.
Terrazas Altos del Plata – Mendoza Argentina
My brother ordered Tasmanian grilled salmon. When he asked for a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, the waiter told him that since he is going to eat fish, white wine goes better with seafood than red. He lectured us on wine pairing. Although the waiter was only trying to sound knowledgeable, we felt stupid. Alam ko nainis ang kuya ko. But very politely he told the waiter that he wants a cabernet sauvignon.
We know that red is recommended for meat and white wine is for fish but those are mere recommendations. It depends on what the person wants to drink. It’s like eating bulalo. Recommended sawsawan is toyo, kalamansi, with sili. But some people prefer patis. Teka, is my analogy correct? One more try. Yung fried chicken terno sa ketchup, pero you can also sawsaw it in Mang Tomas Lechon. I can have a medium-well Tomahawk and pair it with a glass of gulaman at sago.
Roquefort cromesqui, iberico ham, tomato concasse, and arugula leaves. My daughter and Derrick have not agreed on their baby boy’s final name. I like the sound of Roquefort Cromesqui, very European. People wouldn’t know naman na he was named after patatas. It sounds unique, wala syang kapareho. Nickname nya RC.
Php 880++ per order. Oh, lucky 88 pa.
Burrata di bufala, with fresh citrus salsa, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and ciabatta. The serving is very small so if you love burrata, this is not for sharing. Php 650++
Caaliflower veloute, smoked fish, seasoned with lemon and curry.
Crustacean bisque with potato and aioli espuma golden croutons
I ordered Roasted Catch of the Day, Apahap, with white asparagus sticks. This is not on the menu but was highly recommended by the waiter. The fish was good.
Today confirms that I prefer fresh green asparagus to white ones, These 4 sticks look weird. I don’t know, they just remind me of something.
Here’s the pepper guy with a life-sized baluster. Of course, it’s for show. Actually, this giant pepper shaker could be a welcome addition in any dining room. If there’s a magnanakaw, hampasin mo agad. Your maids can’t bring this home. You can’t misplace it. You can’t lose it. It’s easy to find.
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Mary Grace mini cake from my son-in-law. It comes with a pink candle na medyo lantutay na.
The waiter said if it’s only for picture-taking then there’s no corkage fee. But if we want the cake sliced and served, hayun meron ng bayad. Syempre naman.
One order has only one scoop but the waiter told me “hayan mam, ginawa ko’ng two scoops”.
Creme brulee for Kuya Lito.
Soon to be first time parents
Soon to be a lola.
