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Glad to be back in Manila just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with the U.S. Embassy team at Tasting Room, with wine pairing from Happy Living Wines. After a hectic APEC week with President Obama in attendance, we are thankful that everything went smoothly with no security incidents in Manila.
It was my first time at Tasting Room, and we were pleasantly surprised by how good it is amidst the mixed reviews when it first opened.
TASTING ROOM
G/F Crown Towers, City of Dreams Manila, Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque City.
Open for dinner daily: 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Telephone: +632 691-7789
Website: http://www.cityofdreams.com.ph/the-tasting-room
The fine dining ambiance is sophisticated-minimalist, with a luxurious breathing space between tables.
Amuse-Bouche
The dinner started with contrasting flavors of curried apple chips and then a spoonful of ceps jelly, a liquefied mushroom gelatine.
My favorites were the goat cheese cube coated with caramelized pork crisps, and the signature foie gras lollipops with apple puree coated with dark chocolate. The array of palate pleasers ended with a savory candy made with salmon.
I liked the order of progression of flavors, which set the right mood for the next dishes.
Hot & Cold. Maine Lobster, Consomme, Ponzu Sorbet, Carpaccio, Basil, Nori Edamame.
I enjoyed the clean tasting slice of lobster meat but did not get the point of the ponzu sorbet mixed with consomme.
Sauvignon Blanc, Cakebread, Napa Valley, 2014
The sauvignon blanc was light and crisp with well-balanced fruity tones.
★ 52 C degree Egg with Potato Mousse, Black Truffle, Onions, Confetti, Ceps Powder.
This dish was exciting, with a little theater of the yellow egg being dropped in the center of the mousse. You mix the egg into the mousse and enjoy its creamy texture with umami flavors from the black truffle. A must-try at Tasting Room!
★ Chardonnay “Luminus”, Beringer, Napa Valley, 2013
I loved this chardonnay with fruity citrus tones that isn’t too sweet and pairs well with the egg mouse surprise.
Had the pleasure of chatting and getting a souvenir photo with US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg during the dinner.
★ US Dive Scallop. Pan fried with Cauliflower Cream, Black Shrimp, Imperial Caviar, Winter Black Truffle Oil.
We all loved the quality of the scallop–juicy, plump, and cooked just right to get that perfect bite when you eat it.
★ Pinot Noir, Dieberg, Santa Maria Valley, 2012
The star wine for the night! Well-balanced, full flavored, enjoyable to drink, and surprisingly paired well with the scallop.
TIP: You have to get a bottle of this wine for your celebrations this Christmas season.
U.S. Beef Tenderloin. Cooked 24 hours, with Charcoal Leeks, Red Wine Sauce, Bordelaise Moroccan Onions, Black Trumpet.
The 24 hour sous-vide steak was tender and flavorful but looked too sophisticated for a steak. I still prefer a thick layer of steak cooked the classic way with grill marks and flavor.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cakebread, Napa Valley, 2011
The Cab-Sauv was also nice, with strong tannins that cut through the steak flavors.
Thank you to Kurt Hoyer, First Secretary and Press Attache, U.S. Embassy for giving us a Wine Tasting 101 and for entertaining us throughout the dinner.
★ Saffron Ice Cream. Kalingo Chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, Hot Chocolate, Passion Fruit/Orange Marmalade, Pecan Nuts.
A great dessert with the drama of hot chocolate dissolving the Kalingo chocolate crisp then mixing it with flavors of saffron, passion fruit, and orange marmalade.
The pecan nuts provide a crunchy texture and cleanses your palate to help enjoy the chocolate dish throughout.
Zinfandel “La Promesa”, Sbragia, Sonoma Country, 2009
This pairing for the dessert was a bit off.
Thank you to all our friends for making this the “fun table” at the dinner.
I would recommend the Chardonnay “Luminus” (Beringer, Napa Valley, 2013) and the Pinot Noir (Dieberg, Santa Maria Valley, 2012) to buy for your Christmas table or as a perfect Christmas Gift for your foodie friends.
TASTING ROOM
G/F Crown Towers, City of Dreams Manila, Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque City.
Open for dinner daily: 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Telephone: +632 691-7789
Website: http://www.cityofdreams.com.ph/the-tasting-room
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of our friend Katherine Yao-Santos. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. Congratulations to 2 Michelin Star Chef William Mahi for the awesome Thanksgiving dinner at Tasting Room! The party moved to the Tasting Room kitchen to celebrate this happy occasion. 🙂
