Anniversary Celebration

My parents' anniversary! When it comes to celebrations in our family, we eat! Actually, when I put it that way, it seems like every day is a celebration. So for extra special days we step it up and eat even more.

Prior to our meal, we visited the Manila Cathedral. This is the only Basilica in the Philippines. If you're in Manila, this is definitely a notable tourist stop.

Tivoli
Located in the Mandarin Oriental. We came here for lunch, and I would recommend this place for lunch. They offer a great "Business Lunch" special in which you have an appetizer buffet, an entree, and dessert.

The Appetizer Buffet
A nice selection of salads, cold cuts, sushi, and more. The highlights for me were the oysters and jamon. I think I got my money's worth with these two items. Yum!

Potted Foie Gras
With seafood and lobster foam. This was an entree, which also could have been an appetizer if served with toasted thinly sliced bread.

Salmon with Fresh Green and White Asparagus
A delicate dish that accentuates the flavors of the salmon and the asparagus. I love white asparagus!

Baked Banana Pouch
A nice ending to the meal. I love the crunch of the phyllo dough with the warm banana filling.

Sala
After enjoying Sala Bistro (see post below), we decided to try out Sala. What a great meal! If you're hungry, definitely go for the tasting menu. It's an incredible bargain, especially compared to tasting menus in San Francisco or Manhattan.

The Table Setting
I was kind of overwhelmed as to why they put all the utensils on our table after we ordered. I prefer changing utensils after each dish and not having it all on the table like this.

Amuse Bouche
Parmesan-Pesto Crostini

A Salad of Spice Crusted Tuna and Romesco Sauce
With Crispy Baby Squid, Rocket and Charred Lemon Juice. A nice small starter plate. The presentation was modern and the execution of the dish succeeded.

Ravioli of Portabella Mushrooms, Ricotta, and Thyme
With Parmesan and White Truffle
Wow! The winner of the meal and of the day. I could have a whole plate of these raviolis in truffle sauce. The portabella taste is bold and complements the truffle sauce so well.

Crispy Fried Lobster Tail
On a Truffled Cauliflower Risotto and Bisque Sauce. We asked to have this substitution from the A La Carte Menu. The tasting menu included a grouper fillet, but since we were celebrating we wanted to taste the lobster tail. We made a great choice. Everything on the plate was so tasty.

Braised Kurobuta Pork Cheeks
With Bell Pepper and Potato Hash, Seared Scallops, and Clams. A generous portion for the main meat dish. Another delicious plate.

Warm Chocolate Fondant
Topped with Peanut Butter Ice Cream. A solid warm chocolate cake that successfully oozed out in the middle.