Turn of the Century: Acqua Livingstone by Missoni Home

Wouldn't you like to live in a space designed by the Italian luxury brand, Missoni? 

Century Properties recently held a launch for the fourth of six buildings in its Pasig River-side development Acqua Private Residences, Acqua Livingstone by Missoni Home. All the buildings are named after big waterfalls in the world such as Niagara, Sutherland and Dettifoss. The showroom ingeniously used a plant wall for its waterfall feature. With the sound of water and lush foliage, it felt like being in a mini-rainforest.

In town for the launch was Vittorio Missoni himself. He is a second generation Missoni and the marketing director. Edoardo Roda from T&J Vestor, a leading Italian home furnishing company, was also present. 

 I love the vivid colors and prints of Missoni!

Margarita Fores catered the event.

After lunch we were given a tour of the showrooms.  The Dalia is a 50sqm one bedroom apartment

The Magellano is a two-bedroom apartment

Check out these candles made to look like yarn. Adorable!

The Bianconero is 3-bedrooms

Just look how cute this living room is. Dapat your outfit needs to complement your home.

This is my favorite color combination for this summer.

The entrance to the bathroom. Even she is wearing Missoni!

The Plunge at the Pebble is a multi-functional space for the residents' use only

Check out their model of the entire structure. The Pasig River is blue!

 Century was setting up for the launch party to be held that evening.

It was wonderful to meet Mr Missoni and Mr Roda at lunch and see the ingenuity and creativity of this new development, just a ride over the river. It's ultra hip and trendy and they plan to open shops and restaurants on the ground floor, called the Riverwalk. Can't wait to see this rise and become part of the skyline!

Acqua Livingstone by Missoni Home
Century Properties
Tel +632.793.5500 to 04
www.century-properties.com

Marching on at Umu

Pork Curry 

As if summer wasn't hot enough, Umu at Dusit Thani Manila has a special on Japanese curries for the month of March!

I fell in love with Japanese curry when I was living in Los Angeles. The rich and bold flavor of its spiciness is unique - my favorite is with ebi fry or chicken katsu. Now ebi fry is different from ebi tempura because the batter is more crunchy and a golden brown color while tempura is paler in color and a bit more soggy. 

It was nice to catch up with Danelle - it feels as if we hadn't seen each other in ages. Today, our view outside was a beautiful, lush green landscape - no rain in sight! Let my favorite season begin :)

Since this was a Friday and I am fasting, we ordered only seafood. I think Japanese food is great for Lent haha! Especially since I have given up pasta and any form of noodle for Lent. Now for me, this is an ultimate sacrifice!

Ebi Fry Curry 

The Ebi curry was delicious (forgive me for the photo as I dipped into it before taking the picture) and the sauce was as it should be. If I wasn't fasting, I would have eaten the whole thing!

Pickles tickle me pink!

 I also love condiments of any kind and the red pickles that typically accompany the curry have a bit of saltiness and the crunch is fabulous. So happy that Umu's Japanese Master Chef Hiroyuki Fukata remembered them - Japanese curry just ain't the same without it.

Ikura and salmon sashimi over sushi rice

 Aside from the curry I asked for my new favorite: salmon sashimi and ikura over sushi rice. It is a complete meal in itself!

What a difference a year can make - the things that have gone on in my life and Danelle's life were on the same path but now diverging...I'm ever thankful to God for all the blessings such as Danelle that he has given me in my life :)

Dusit Thani Manila
Ayala Center, Makati City
+632.238.8823

Meat Eater Madness: Elbert's Steak Room

I've heard steak lovers discuss over and over again which steak they think reigns supreme when it comes to the variety of steak joints in Manila (I'm remembering a convo I had with this guy at Blind Pig last night who says he dry ages his beef himself. He just scrapes off the mold and he swears its amazing. I wasn't sold).

A couple of months ago, we headed to Elbert's Steak Room for a friend's birthday dinner. I've never eaten at Elbert's for dinner, only once for lunch, where I ate a yummy prime rib. The interiors are cosy and well-appointed with dark wood and leather armchairs, well-worn books and interesting art. Very elegant. 

To be different, I ordered the T-bone as suggested by A's officemate. It came with the house salad

   the house soup

assorted sauces for the meat

 and the piece de resistance, the steak itself.

 Elbert's menu says the only grade of steak he serves is prime. Now, I truly enjoyed the prime meat I had at Gustavus (unfortunately, this place closed down a couple months ago, too bad) so I was expecting quite a bit from Elbert's and from all the raves I've heard about the steak. Isn't expectation a bitch!

The tenderloin bit of the T-bone was soft and delicious but the strip not so much. Maybe I should've ordered it medium rare instead of medium? I had it with a side of truffled risotto and another side of creamed spinach.

Chef Adrian Cuenca

As I said, I'm not a big steak eater but I do like my meat. Maybe I need to come back and try the rib-eye like everyone was suggesting.

Elbert's Steak Room
3/F Sagittarius Bldg, 111 HV de la Costa Avenue, Salcedo Village Makati
Tel +632.339.3363
www.steakroom.com