You know you're in for a loooong meal when you have this line up of knives ...
TraveLife Magazine in cooperation with the
Asian Food Channel put together TraveLife Italy, a nine course experience of Margarita Fores' Italian cooking hosted by TraveLife's Christine Cunanan. Held at White Space, the event had something like 250 guests. It was crazy. Politicians, socialites, foodies gathered for the event. Dinner started at 8 and ended at around 11 pm. What can you expect, there were 9 courses and 250 people to feed?
Gaita was absolutely adorable as she introduced the 9-course dinner, catered by her company Cibo di M. Remember that it was Gaita who brought in affordable yet uncompromising Italian cuisine to Manila first through Area Cafe then through Cibo, which has now been around for almost a decade and a half.
To share with you what we had:
Eat pray love. Remember that scene where Julia Roberts orders melons and prosciutto?
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| Prosciutto Galeoni Rosse, Melone, Misticanza biologiche |
Perfectly al dente. Amazing considering the 2,500 headcount for the event.
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| Spaghettini de Cecco Alla Bottarga di Muggine, Olio extra-vergini di oliva, Peppoli-antinori |
My favorite among all the dishes. This ravioli had some liver in it and the flavors were very strong in spite of its petite structure. Absolutely worth the wait.
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| Raviolini alla Genovese 'Artusi' Ricetta No. 99 |
Intriguing presentation for the fish.
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| Pesce al Cartoccio con Finocchio |
Duck meat, duck fat. A bite - that's all you get - of heaven.
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| Anatra al Lampone, Polenta de Cecco, Formaggio Asiago |
Beautifully executed oxtail dish. Tender to the bone. The spinach balanced the pounding savoriness of the meat. The mushrooms on the side added character.
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| Brasato di Coda di Bue al Barolo con Porcini, Puree di Patate e Spinaci |
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| Parmigiano-Reggiano Vergelio, Stagionato, Miele di Fiori d'Arancio |
This abstract "painting" is just cheese on a plate. Very sharp and rich though. I could only afford two pieces.
Veramente una serata di buon cibo italiano! (I don't know if that's right - I meant, truly an evening of fine Italian food!)
Buon appetito, Gaita said. We did!
