Discovery Primea's TAPENADE Introduces New Items on Menu

I've been to Tapenade quite a number of times now. Usually if I wait out the traffic I get a thing or two at Discovery Primea's Gilarmi lounge and do events here. It's cozy and tucked away from the usually restaurants in Makati so there are less crowds. I like that part because the last thing anyone wants is a noisy neighbor.

For years now, Tapenade has been serving top of the notch Spanish-Euro dishes this side of town. I like their Octopus, pizzas and famous garden buffet for lunch and dinner. They just launched new items in the menu to revamp their classics, and accompany what existing hit items they already have. They did come in a good time.

The Best Salad Bar

Before we go to the new items on the menu, I saw a revamped Salad Bar from Tapenade. Before, it only carried the usual fresh leafy vegetables and whatnot, but earlier I got a glimpse of their cheese, anti pasto (cured meats), prepared salads, breads, creams and jams, sliders, Vietnamese rolls, Shrimp and Mussels for the lunch crowd. This is quite extensive when I last saw this place a couple months ago.

New Items on the Menu

Inspired by Mediterranean flavors, Tapenade prepared for us their new exciting dishes. You could see how much it is a mix of French, Greek and Italian. I personally loved the Rigatoni and Paella (which you should order when you dine). 

Mozzarella and Friends was so soft and fresh, put a little dab of Basil Pesto, Black Olive Tapenade (love the strong flavor), Romesco Dip and Fruit Mostarda (a mix), and you'll be glad to have lived in this lifetime. These are part of anti pastis and yes, they're quite amazing.

Prosciutto and Company had a roving slicing machine with it. It will be done table side and is quite fancy. Impress your guests and savor the slivers of thinly sliced pork air dried and salt cured for a reason. It's not guilt free, but worth every eye closing moment you have it.

The Shrimps en Gabardina was like a Spanish Tempura. It was crunchy and good on the outside, fresh and soft on the inside. They have a Guindilla aioli dip with this, it had a strong garlic kick and everyone raved about it!

Baked, Smashed and Deep Fried, this is Patatas Crunchy with Mojo Dip. It's a Basil based sauce you put on top of the spuds, pretty good in my books as a starter.

This Rigatoni Al Sugo was inspired by their hit pizza flavor. It's got prosciutto chopped and sweat down so you get that smoky tomatoey profile in the sauce. I loved it the moment I laid my eyes on it, haha!

Two things that are made of dreams, my favorite is the Wagyu Beef and Mushroom Paella had a mix of crunchy rice morsels, made intense with the black pepper aioli and super soft medium rare slices of the best meat in town, plus the other one called Roast Chicken and Chorizo Paella had its spices permeate with the short grain rice. Ahh the heavens must be rejoicing over these!

The Red Snapper Fillet on the other hand was packed with tomato flavors. It was like a canvas, painted with Italian and Amalfi coast inspirations, perfect for a date night and white wine.

Last but not the least, a trio of desserts arrived on our table. My personal choice was the Strawberry Creme Brulee Cake (made with white chocolate custard, strawberries, champagne sugar crystals) which was so light, airy and creamy. It reminds me of Strawberry Shortcake, which I absolutely love. The other ones like the Chocolate Tart (made of choco truffle, olivo fleur de sel, raspberry kisses) was light with the mousse and not too sweet (just the way I like it). The Almond Caramel Bar (made of dacquoise, sesame nougat, amaretti crunch) was textured and chunky, if you're a fan of those long pyramid chocolates made commercially, this is a better version of it. I quite enjoyed myself while we dined with new people, new social media acquaintances, and old friends from Primea. I'd be missing a lot if I didn't try it out!

Tapenade is open from 6-10:30am for breakfast, 11:30am-2:30pm for lunch and 6:30pm - 10:30pm for dinner. Call for reservations via +63279558888. Pretty good dishes in a perfect spot, how can you not have that?!

Homey Comforting Dishes at Mamma Mia Uptown Mall BGC

Uptown Mall BGC just keeps getting better. At the iconic fountain in front of the mall stands another restaurant that would be able to whisk you off your feet and send you to Italy (as it felt like it). This is Mamma Mia, located at the Upper GF Uptown Mall 36th Street Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. 

It's got modern interiors, wood, brick and metal mostly for the bar. Seating can accommodate about 40-50 people at a time and have bunk chairs and seats for groups 8 or more arranged. 

They have new group meals on promo so if you're with a few of your officemates looking for a cozy and homey meal, this might be a good place to dine. Also, their bar has adequate booze to take early patrons before you need to party elsewhere because most of the big ones are nearby. 

It was early afternoon, so I had two drinks. One is the shake made of red grapes and the other, they concocted a Sangria which they can arrange upon special requests. Ask the friendly bartender/server for it.

The salads are undoubtedly different with the addition of Polpo Con Patate (Grilled Octopus with Potatoes, Arugula, Onions tossed in Pesto Vinaigrette). Slightly chewy and savory grilled octopi mixed in with that peppery arugula, I love it!

Quattro Formaggi Pizza, stretched thinly then thrown into the oven, made it crunchy, salty on sides and so good and cheesy. Love how this was served hot, fresh and fast! Imagine, my boss could finish this in 5 minutes. He would love this I'm sure because like me, he's so fond of cheese.

Their Spaghetti Carbonara ala Mamma Mia is quite creamy, the yolk is just underneath and the pasta is topped with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese so you get more texture than usual.

This is Mamma's Roasted Chicken which you can get in quarters, half or whole. It's a huge one, prolly can feed up to 4 even with huge appetites. Very flavorful, cooked nicely so it's soft and juicy. 

I have dined in the mall several times now but I'm glad there's a homey Italian place that would remind you of Tuscany here in Uptown Mall. I would choose to go here before meeting up with friends and have a bottle or two. They have booze, hard drinks, and pretty affordable considering this is the BGC area. 

Try it out, it's quite good!

 

Cine Filipino Film Festival Finalists Bared

Cine Filipino Film Festival has done a remarkable job in unleashing great films in the past few years. Feature length and shorts have opened up a lot of opportunities and have established careers of new and up and coming directors, actors and producers. Some of them also did good in other festivals, not just nominations, but wins, and the platform works so well after finding home with CFFF.

Their tagline this year is “Buhay and Kwento” of which Buhay can mean life/work/being alive. It can mean either, and this is their partnership with FDCP for the 100th year of Philippine Cinema. They also announced the finalists for this year. This was adjudged by Direk Joey Reyes, Manette Dayrit and JP Laurel. This will all come out on May 2020. Unitel, Cignal and Cignal Entertainment is providing for this event.

Direk Joey says “Our choices are simple, it must be Filipino, it should cater to a Filipino audience, we also need to nurture new Directors.”

Atty. Gido VP of Cignal says “We believe in the Filipino Talent and we continue to make sure that we expand the platforms, so storytellers could tell your views to the public. We are also expanding to mobile, our commitment to support Cine Filipino and you. We have so much growth potential in the industry.”

SHORTS

7 Year and Itch

Memento of Mori

Tayo/Stand Up

Ang’gulo/Unclear

Delta

Kita Duha

Quing Lalam Ning Aldo (Under the Sun)

Alex and Aki

Ang Alamat ng Sari Saring Sari Store

SERIES CATEGORY

B124

Balete

Delikado

Life After College

Manila Encounters

Philippine Gothic: Habang Buhay

Raket

Sa Pusod ng Dagat

Junkyard Hippie

Tindero

FEATURE LENGTH CATEGORY - Pitched Films (to receive film grants to make their movie)

A man recovering from a heartbreak. Jopi Arnaldo for 27 EXP

A Chef hijacked midsea to delivered to the unknown. Cargo by Sarge Lacuesta and Charlson Ong

An Albino Girl who feels she is a daughter of an engkanto. Sue Aspiras Homecoming

A film maker in South Korea having an illicit relationship. Christopher Gozum Ilekdem Mo So Matam

A Christmas reunion gone wrong Steven Paul Evangelista Maya-Maya Paparito Na

About 2 men, generation gap with secrets. Olsen’s Day by JP habac

A coming of age drama by Rob Hara Ouroboros

Two senior HS students both males having a relationship, following a fortune teller’s advise. This is by Dolly Dulu The boy foretold by the stars

We have a lot to look forward to next year as these lot of new directors and film makers are very promising, we just hope and pray they use this platform to further advance their career and the art of cinema.