desserts – Jellybeans in the City

Amah Restaurant’s student-chefs collaborate with Chef Donovan Cooke on a 14-course gourmet dinner

We often hear of restaurants referred to as “hidden gems,” those little-known or undiscovered dining spots that offers exceptional food, service, or ambiance that is worth discovering.

Often tucked away in some out-of-the-way location, these spots may be hard to find but but once discovered, they offer a unique and unforgettable dining experience that makes them stand out from other more well-known restaurants.

It’s no wonder then that foodies like me are always on the lookout for hidden gems; aside from the delicious and unique eats, we greatly enjoy the feeling discovering a hidden treasure that is not widely known, and we take pride in sharing our discovery with others who share our passion for great food.

One such discovery is Amah Restaurant in Taguig City.

A quarantine venture

Amah Restaurant was founded by Chef Jose Villarreal, a young culinary prodigy who parlayed his childhood interest in cuisines into a budding career as a chef. While on lockdown in 2020, he and his classmates at the prestigious Enderun Colleges set about gaining real-world experience in their field by launching their own food business headquartered in Jose’s family home in Taguig.

From researching, test cooking and initially selling food products online, Jose and his team eventually opened AMAH Restaurant, named after his maternal grandmother, situated at the roof deck of his family home in 2021. By October 2022, the restaurant gained accreditation from Enderun Colleges as an establishment where its students can undergo their on-the-job training.

Amah Restaurant is known for its heirloom Filipino-Chinese dishes with a twist such as Sisig Stuffed Chicken Wings, Smoked Char Siu Pork Belly with Bao Buns and Bibingka Cheesecake. These delicacies are prepared by the young chefs who made it a point to use local ingredients and put their own unique twists to heirloom recipes.

The restaurant also treats its patrons to a breathtaking view of the Makati and BGC cityscapes. Sunsets were definitely amazing on the upper roofdeck, making it a favorite for engagement proposals, anniversaries, and other special occasions.

A dream collaboration

Chef Jose recently led his team of fellow student-chefs for a dream collaboration with Chef Donovan Cooke from Melbourne, Australia on a two-night dinner event which featured 14 specially-curated gourmet courses from Chef Donovan’s menu. These dishes were prepared by Chef Jose and his Amah team under the supervision of Chef Donovan himself.

Chef Donovan is known for his exceptional culinary skills and his extensive experience in the fine dining industry. He has worked in some of the most prestigious restaurants around the world and gained recognition for his expertise in seafood as well as for his innovative and creative approach to cooking, which combines classic French techniques with modern Australian flavors.

“This was such an honor for Amah and a great treat for our clientele,” Chef Jose shared. “We were so excited to have had the opportunity to work in the same kitchen as Chef Donovan and to have him guide us as we prepared dishes he developed. It was definitely a major milestone for all of us at Amah. And our guests for those two nights were so lucky for the experience that was in store.”

Chef Donovan Cooke was just as excited about the dinner event. “These young chefs are very dedicated and passionate about their craft. They could have taken it easy during the pandemic, found an excuse to just lay around and rest like many of us did during the lockdowns. But they forged ahead because they’re all determined to continue learning and honing their talents. It was my privilege to be one of their mentors, to encourage them as they make their marks in the business.”

A symphony of flavors

The 14-course dinner took Amah Restaurant’s guests on an exciting flavor journey, with each dish thoughtfully designed to showcase the interplay of ingredients.

The meal startsedwith a refreshing Chilled Oyster Truffle Soup with cos lettuce, followed by the delicate balance of Mud Crab with pomelo, coriander, and ginger. The Torched Sardines with escabeche olive offered a burst of smoky and umami flavors, while the Seared Spiced Tuna with Watercress, pickled mushroom, and truffle dressing offered a combination of spice and earthy notes.

The dinner progressed with the richness of the Mussels Mariniere with parsley and white wine sauce, and the Baby Squid with Pear, Parma Ham, and olive oil emulsion that offered a delightful play of sweet and savory flavors. The Grilled Octopus with Piperade and Spanish chorizo brought a smoky touch to the table, while the Slow Roast Free Range Chicken with celery heart and sauce Bois Bourdain offers a comforting and savory indulgence.

The Hibachi Grilled King Prawn with asparagus and shellfish citrus vinaigrette added a burst of freshness, while the Curry Roast Mahi-Mahi with cauliflower, capers, raisins, and apple offered a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors. The Spiced Roast Duck with fig compote and spice jus brought a depth of flavors with its combination of sweet and savory notes, while the Braised Beef Shin with balsamic onion and bordelaise sauce offered a rich and succulent experience.

The meal came to a close with the delightful Mango and Almond Cake with Mango Salad and Banana Passionfruit Sorbet, followed by the Spiced Pineapple with Pain Perdu and gingerbread ice cream, offering a sweet and tangy finale to the flavor journey.

To fully appreciate the intricacies of each dish, diners were encouraged to savor each bite, to allow the flavors to linger on the palate while taking note of the unique combinations of ingredients, the textures, and the subtle nuances of flavors that Chef Jose and his team have masterfully crafted. Each dish tells a story, a culmination of culinary expertise and creativity, meant to be savored and enjoyed to the fullest.

After successfully executing a challenging 14-course menu in collaboration with Chef Donovan Cooke, it’s clear that Chef Jose Villareal and his team of student-chefs from Amah Restaurant are ready to take the local food scene by storm. This unique culinary experience allowed them to showcase their skills and creativity in the kitchen, while learning from a master chef like Donovan Cooke.

It sure is exciting to anticipate what more these enterprising young restaurateurs will be able to come up with in the future with the hidden gem Amah Restaurant as the backdrop for these culinary adventures!

Amah Restaurant is located at 27 F. Segundo Street, Phase 4, AFPOVAI, Taguig City, open Tuesdays to Fridays from 5pm to 10pm and Saturdays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm.

To know more about its regular menu, visit its website or follow Amah on Facebook and Instagram. To reserve your table, call +63 998 9721198 or +63 917 5101368, or visit heirloomamah.com/reserveme.

Disclosure: Together with fellow content creators, I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to us at no cost.

A French cafe experience at PAUL le cafe

France has a delicious history with coffee dating back to 17th century when cafes started opening up, offering not just coffee but also a feeling of community. Cafes encouraged the practice of slowing down, lingering and connecting with one’s neighbors and peers; they became focal points for conversation, artistic expression, and, at some point, even revolutionary sentiments.

With the opening of its first Philippine store in Greenbelt 5 in Makati, PAUL le cafe brings the French cafe experience center stage, much to the delight of coffee lovers in the metro.

PAUL le cafe also incorporates classic coffee colors as well as black, the emblematic hue of the original family-owned PAUL bakeries in France, and terra-cotta red, the color of coffee cherries.

Its clean and modern look was developed with the help of interior and set designer Emilie Bonaventure. Its spectacular lighting, gleaming coffee machine and welcoming colors are accented by artfully placed photographs, all set against the PAUL trademark black and white flooring.

In this stylish setting, coffee lovers can enjoy their favorite beverage expertly crafted by PAUL’s baristas, using 100% Arabica coffee sourced from sustainable Rain Forest Alliance producers.

The store also offers and expanded menu of hot coffee drinks that include classics such as espresso, latte and Americano, to gourmet recipes such as flat white, cappuccino, cafe Viennois and mochas, even vegan options made with almond or oat milk.

To cool down on a hot day (which we have a lot of in this country), customers can also opt for iced versions of their coffee favorites.

The store also offers non-coffee beverages such as hot and iced teas, freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.

Customers can also get a taste of the PAUL macaron frappe – a concoction made of milk, cream and a French macaron – blended together with ice, resulting to a sweet and brightly colored drink.

These drinks are best enjoyed with something delicious to nibble on. Luckily, savory lunch items such as freshly prepared sandwiches and salads, quiches and pizzas are on offer.

However, the highlight for a sweet tooth like me has got to be the pattiserie – a collection of French pastries and cakes that appeal to the eyes and tastebuds of every dessert lover.

Among the macarons, fruit tartlets, Napoleons, and more on display, all manner of sweet cravings can be sated.

At PAUL le cafe, coffee lovers can bask in the elegantly relaxed atmosphere of a French cafe while enjoying premium drinks and high quality pastries.

It is a place to relax, unwind and take a precious moment, whether to catch up with friends or enjoy one’s solitude in comfort.

Drop by PAUL le cafe at Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City and say “Bonjour” to a posh yet relaxing coffee shop a la francaise experience.

For more details on its offers, follow PAUL Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended the Grand Opening of this restaurant where food and drink were served for honest feedback.

Christmas shopping and food spree at the Holiday Bazaar, Hampton Arcade

The holiday season comes with festivities, get-togethers among family and friends, and, of course, gift-giving. Filipinos, in particular, revel in exchanging tokens of love or appreciation.

However, shopping for gifts comes with the usual stresses of traveling to stores while navigating through holiday tradfic jams as well as straining the budget.

Fortunately for Pasiguenos like me, The Food Tent PH organized a weekend Holiday Bazaar located at our own turf.

Fridays to Sundays, from 2pm to 10pm, until January 6, 2019, merchants offering food, clothes, toys, housewares and more, will converge at the front parking space of the Hampton Gardens Arcade located along C. Raymundo Avenue, quite easily accessible from almost any point in Pasig City (given our dire traffic situation :-)).

I was invited by The Food Tent PH to check out the bazaar so together with my kids, #ExhibitA and #Exhibit B, I ventured to Hampton Gardens Arcade after work for some retail adventure and bonding time.

In this Holiday Bazaar, we discovered great deals shoppers can score such as:

All original overruns from brands such as H&M, Nike, Zara Man, Forever 21, Pull & Bear, Adidas and more, discounted up to 70% off their retail prices.

Tester vials of popular fragrance brands such as Lacoste, Polo, Daisy by Marc Jacobs and Fantasy by Britney Spears, retailing for only Php80/vial as well as makeup, cosmetic kits and skincare items selling for Php500 and less.

Stuffed toys imported from Japan of popular cartoon characters like Disney’s Stitch and Angel priced at Php300.

Cute socks designed after popular characters.

Housewares and decors, gift items and gadgets and so much more!

If you find yourself hungry after all that shopping, check out the stalls offering various food items you can munch on right there or bring home as pasalubong.

Being Korean food lovers, the kids and I feasted on affordably priced offerings from Soondubu Jigae, all of which are cooked to order.

Soondubu Jiggae (Php100). The Korean soft tofu and noodle stew with shrimp, sliced pork, chicken and beef where the food stall got its name from. Served boiling hot in a clay pot, it’s mildly spicy but very hearty.

Samyeopsal with Rice (Php90). I was delighted to see that this very affordable meal already comes with ssamjang paste and lettuce, giving diners a close taste of the popular Korean grilled pork.

Rib-Eye with Rice and Mixed Veggies (Php179). The freshly grilled meat dry rubbed with Asian spices is juicy and tender (I ate it using a plastic fork!).

Other food items we sampled include:

Yummy Strawberry Cupcakes (Php30) from Purple Angel.

Dessert-and-Drink-in-One Mango Graham Shake from Mango District (Php65).

Hubby requested I bring home something for him so I got Chicharong Bulaklak (Php120/order) from a nearby stall and a Korean BBQ (Php90) from Soondubu Jigae.

And since I’ve been a good girl all week, I treated myself to a Chocolate Dreamcake from Gracie’s Kitchen (Php350).

There are lots to do, discover and enjoy at the Holiday Bazaar. If you’re in the area, do drop by for a quick meal or some Christmas shopping. Stay for a bit to enjoy open mic performances at the central stage area as well.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Stall spaces are at Php550/day. Just contact Hazel Hina of The Food Tent PH at +63 967 263 2866. This Holiday Bazaar is located at the Hampton Gardens Arcade, 100 C. Raymundo Avenue, Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City.