food tasting. again.

On with the food tasting! :) Last week, gegs thought he had enough, but when he learned that we got an invitation, he said he wanted to go :)


This time, we went to Manila Catering's grand food tasting at the Light of Love events place in Quezon City.



First the set-up.
It was okay, though not as grand as the pictures in their brochure. But in terms of style, Manila Catering has a classic set-up style; can't go wrong.


For the food, well, it was really good.
I don't know if we were surprised or what, but it was really, really good. I liked LOVED their cream dory with lime something something sauce.

Okay, here's what we had:


Soup : Cream of Pumpkin - best we tasted so far. Consistency was just right, and we can tell they didn't scrimp on the cream
Salad : We tried their salad bar with their ranch dressing, it was okay. But I liked how they cut their vegetables. Size was just right.
Appetizer : Nachos with fresh salsa - loved their salsa also! And the nacho chips were good, not the the cheap variety
Pasta : Penne Italiana - loved this, too! Gegs said, their pasta was not too rich, but then it makes you come back for seconds... Cos you can't quite figure out what's good about it...
Veggies : Buttered Mixed vegetables with sweet corn - good! I guess they used good butter.
Fish : Cream Dory with Lime Sauce (something to that effect) - LOVED this! Fish was cooked just right, and the sauce wasn't sour at all. Just right. 
Pork : Hawaiian Porkchop (something) -  not a fan of this one. Sauce was salty for me. And meat wasn't tender
Beef : Roast beef with mushroom sauce - didn't like this one either. Meat was a bit dry. Sauce was too thin.
Chicken : At first we thought this was the chicken with spinach in mornay sauce. But the coordinator said it was the steamed chicken parmesan. Well, if it was the spinach chicken, it was good. But when he said it was the parmesan chicken, well, I don't think I tasted the parmesan. But sure looked like spinach to me, Hehehe
Dessert : brownies and chocolate cake - uh-oh. Wouldn't get this from them even if it was free. So sad, if you like chocolates. Brownie was not chewy (how I like my brownies), and inside it was dry. Sure nice to look at, though. Chocolate cake (they were served in paper cuplets, not as slices) was okay, better than the brownies, but still disappointing. The silvanas and sambo's though, was a different story! Goo-ood! And what I loved in their dessert buffet was the white cake slice. I think it was custard cake, or something. It was good! Moist.


So there you go. We were so full when we left! They had generous servings at the buffet, so it wasn't dyahe to get big slices/servings. I think Manila Catering would be up in our list of possible caterers if not for a very bad review I read about them online... Ohwell. But Manila Catering is a big and established name. So I guess that one bad review wouldn't affect them. Maybe that's why they didn't care. Shame shame. But I'd still recommend Manila Catering. Based from the food, set-up and treatment earlier at their food tasting.


As for the venue, well, Light of Love is an affordable venue here in Quezon City. It's not a new place, but it's HUGE. They have gardens, tents, and function halls. Bet the garden set-up at night would be nice. But since it's big, and can accommodate several events, then there's the issue of privacy. Parking is common, and there's a chance guests would get lost. But I think they have a lot of ushers to help out. It's worth checking out for your function.

ready, set, go!

We're set! We're sticking to our first option. This would make things much much simpler, and hopefully, cheaper. Hehe I'm going to set a meeting with Ms Glady this week. I'm just worried about the  cakes and drinks. If they can't provide it, I hope they won't charge corkage fee... I must admit, this option is more expensive, to think that food won't be served buffet style. But we're hoping the experience would be unforgettable for our guests.

I'm keeping  my fingers crossed! I hope we'll get freebies. :)

Oh, but I just realized, I can't reserve the date yet... I think we ;have to wait for the pamamanhikan in April. Good thing Ate Glady penciled us in already, even without DP :)

torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool...

I'm torn.

Option number 1 is our original plan. But then, we felt that they didn't want this original plan, so we thought of Option number 2. When we laid out this second option, we started to like it! And that was when we started to look for venues and caterers. And we came across Passion Cooks who I am looking forward to meeting, and hopefully, if Gegma likes them, then we'll book them. He actually shortlisted Auffrance, in case it doesn't work out with Passion Cooks. And I started  to look forward to a buffet set-up for the guests.

But now it seems like we're back to Option 1. 


Gegs is saying that maybe Option 2 is not meant to be, that's why we've come back to Option 1 without meaning to. 


I guess I'll just find out when I call Ms Glady tomorrow. I hope she can give us a good package. Hehehe

frustrations

I can't help but get worried.

But I can't do anything about it... Or, can I?

If only things were much simpler. We'd barter!

we didn't get the retreat house :(

Ohwell.

We are a flexible couple anyway, I guess this means we've come full circle, and back to Option number 1.

I didn't give the back story, but once we sort out this Option 1, I believe I can already give full details of our upcoming wedding. I guess this is when the puzzle pieces will fall into place. I hope. :)

There's a always a rainbow after the rain. Or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Whatever. You choose. :D

more food :)

Whew, what a busy weekend. :)

We went to two food tastings today, thus the full tummies.

First was at Angelica's Catering in Quezon City (near España). We were a bit apprehensive to go in because there was just one other couple inside, and we didn't want to be cornered. Hehe But apparently the other couple was more important (probably since they're confirming their booking already) because Ms Connie, the owner, just talked to us briefly and focused on the other couple. We really didn't mind, since we had no intention of booking instantly, and we appreciated that the attention wasn't on us. Hehe They (the staff) were friendly and attentive enough, and thank goodness they didn't practice hard sell on us. The food was good (we were surprised, hehe). We really liked their Fish fillet in tartar sauce, and I particularly liked their mildly spicy pork spareribs. Set-up was okay, just common, I guess. Unlike Eloquente and Camba's, we saw that theirs was still a small catering business, but the upside is, they are flexible and offers more personalised service. The owner herself is the AE. And based on what I eavesdropped (hehe, they were talking loudly anyway), they catered an event where the number of guests exceeded the package booked by at least 40, but Ms Connie and her staff were up to their neck, trying to make do and accommodate everyone. I guess other caterers wouldn't stress themselves over something which is not their fault...

Though the food at Angelica's was good, we purposely saved room for Auffrance.

From E. Rodriguez, we went to White Plains. We were curious with this caterer because the team is a chef, and his wife, an Interior designer. What a team for a catering business!

Turned out, we didn't save enough room, Auffrance didn't disappoint.

When we got there, another couple was just getting out, and they were walking. I thought to myself, ay kawawa naman, they'll have to walk to the guardhouse. Baka they came in a cab. We were a bit shy at first, because we were the only couple there! Oh no, I thought, how will we exit after the food tasting without committing to anything? Hehe Good thing Ates Beth and Perla were very nice and they didn't pressure us to commit to anything. But they were very friendly! They were suggesting small churches and nice reception venues which can fit our budget.

Food was served plated, and as they explained, it was how the food is going to be served to the VIPs. We liked everything! Gegs loved their fish fillet in corn sauce something. We were served garlic mushrooms for appetizer, then for the main course, beef stew in red wine, lemon pepper chicken, a vegetable siding, and pork in mushroom sauce. I loved the lemon pepper chicken! Service was great, reviews online, although sparse, were good. Food, excellent. They're definitely on top of our list. And oh! Price is unbelievable. I'm quite surprised, 'cos in the comments I read online, they were saying that Eloquente was supposed to be cheaper. But in the package we got, Auffrance was much cheaper. Though food choice is limited, what they have are select dishes which are uncommon, and good.


So, after the food tasting, we were so full, we can't think straight. Haha Remember the couple walking out who I thought were pitiful for having to have to walk? Well maybe they intended to walk--to settle their stomachs after the feast that Auffrance served.

Gegs and I were discussing while in the car, and we concluded that, given the initial price/package they gave, seems like Auffrance won. I mean, it's the initial price, we didn't even haggle yet. We just said: we have a tight budget, this is what we liked from the food tasting, what can you offer? And Auffrance offered the lowest package.

So far, here's our short list: Auffrance, Eloquente. Haha! Really short! Gegs doesn't want to consider the others... Ohwell.

We have one more food tasting we are looking forward to, and this one, I have good vibes. I have read really really good reviews about them, and I have a feeling they wouldn't disappoint. As I explained to gegma, even though we find 3 caterers and rate them all a perfect 10, I can sense this particular caterer will deserve an 11--maybe even a 12--rating.
I'm excited!

**

Forgot to take pictures.. :(

excited

wow, that was a long post about food. I didn't realize. Sorry :) Next time I'll supplement with photos :D

Anyhoo, we're excited! Another round of food tasting. Hopefully we'll find the caterer who will meet our needs given our limited budget :)

We're keeping our fingers crossed!

PS. We are secretly targeting a specific caterer actually, purely from recommendations. We have yet to talk to them and taste their food ... :)

wedding preps: food, food, food!

Food! Our favorite part in the preparations. :)

As early as now, we are scouting for the perfect caterer (who will fit in our budget, hehehe).
--> Hey, I thought I was already doing preps early, turns out, other couples who are getting married a month after us, booked and paid major suppliers already!

Ohwell, just the same, can't book anyway 'cos I don't have a date yet.

Going back to the food, errr, side story first. :D

Gegs and I attended our first wedding/bridal expo/fair last 13 Feb at the Megatrade hall.
Wow! It's like, the Mecca of suppliers. hehe It was our first time in such an event, and we were overwhelmed with the amount of brochures, flyers, quotes, menus, we took home!

Gegs was amusing to watch, his head swinging from left to right, taking in the names, the services, trying to nod or refuse or smile--I'm not really sure--at the people handing out the flyers and calling us to their booths. He was like walking in a trance, getting whatever is handed on to him, without stopping. Just going with the flow... *wink*

We normally refuse the flyers/brochures being handed-out at the malls or streets, but that night, we had a bag full of 'em flyers. :) And the next day I was bugging my mom for a clearbook. It's a must! Together with the notebook cum diary :)

Sooooo. The food.

That day, we experienced our first food tasting with Kusina ni Kambal. They had a set-up at the conference hall near megatrade hall. Free food! How can we refuse.

Gegs liked the lengua and the cream puffs, but the rest are just so-so. In fairness, we were there late (dinner time), and I guess they ran out of food already (or haven't replenished the buffet yet) 'cos we didn't get to taste some of the dishes.
The dishes we did get to taste were okay, not bland, but not spectacular either. Nothing unforgettable.

But the owner was a nice lady who chatted with us for a few minutes. :) This is always a plus for us, friendly and approachable suppliers :)

Then, also from the wedding expo, we scheduled to attend another food tasting the following Monday. This time with Robert Camba caterers. The guy at the booth said they have a venue in New Manila which we can get for free if we get them as caterer. Hmm, why not?

So we went.

It wasn't disappointing, the food were okay... I guess.. They had standard packages, and I'd put them in the mid-range in terms of price/package rates. We actually liked some of the dishes, like their Korean Beef stew.

For the set-up... (Side story: Since gegs is in the production design biz, he knows more than a thing or two about setting up events and weddings... So this is a big deal for us--the over-all look. But having a tight budget and all, we agreed that we will not spend as much on the decor, and rely on the standard amenities included in the caterer's package. But still... We'd want the set-up to be tasteful. Simple, elegant, classy, but not formal. And NO, gegs will not design the set-up, 'cos that will be like a doctor operating on himself *wink*)

Back to Robert Camba's set-up--it was okay. With a little guidance, it will pass gegma's standards. I think.
Their AE (Account Executive), was also friendly and accommodating.

But over-all, we were not that happy with our first two food tasting adventures.
But since I was a busy-bee, I was calling suppliers left and right :)
This weekend we have 3 food tastings scheduled :D

Earlier, we had lunch at Eloquente. I must admit, we liked what we saw in their brochure and website. The set-up was tasteful, food looked scrumptious. And we also found good reviews. So we were excited to go to their place in Cubao.

We weren't disappointed with the food. :) We loved almost everything. And though the place wasn't set up as a wedding reception should (it was like a small kitchen with dining and buffet table, unlike Camba's who had a real wedding set-up), we could see they had taste, and that their style wasn't bad.
We especially liked their baby back ribs and grilled salmon. Yum! And their beef dishes were all savory! All tender.

But alas, when we were handed their packages, all the dished we liked were in the most expensive package :(

Good thing they were also flexible. Their AE, Lyn, offered a discounted package for us (for 100 pax, even though their minimum supposedly was 150) to fit our budget :) Yey! They are easy to talk to.

But we're not booking them yet. We do not have a date, and we havte more food tastings to attend :)

But they're definitely short-listed.

Tomorrow, Angelica's Catering for brunch, then off to Auffrance. They sound so posh. I hope they're as easy to talk to as Eloquente. :D

We have one caterer short-listed. I'll be happy with three. :)

wedding preps: church and venue

Although we do not have any confirmed booking yet with any supplier, we are doing our homework (yey!)

As I mentioned in my first post, gegs and I just want a simple wedding, with close family and friends. Thus, we want it small and intimate.

Our primary concern is the venue. We want it intimate, yet elegant. There are a lot of nice venues, but being in a tight budget, it's much more difficult for us to find "the one".

Initially we were looking at the San Juan area. It is accessible, and we found Mary the Queen Parish, which fits our requirements for the church--small and simple :)

But my mom suddenly said: "Why not hold it at our (office's) retreat house in Antipolo? The garden has a view, and it has a chapel."

We were sold to the idea immediately!
1. It's a private place, plus points for our guests
2. It's a private place, it's not a common wedding venue :)
3. View from Antipolo is super nice at night. Romantic :) (Note: place is actually along the road to Antipolo, but it's still within the boundaries of Taytay)

Oh! We're so excited! A chapel for the ceremony, then garden reception.

Only problem is, my mom hasn't gotten around yet to asking the rector for permission.

Guess we'll just have to wait.

wedding thoughts

Finally, my own wed site :)

I'm not much of a blogger really, I just enjoy reading other people's blogs.

When Chloe, my college room mate, recommended I join W@W, I got hooked! And not to mention exposed to blogs from fellow brides-to-be! So here I am, joining the bandwagon :)

***

Where, oh where, do I start? Let's see. And so finally, Jong (a.k.a gegs) proposed. (For some reason, I don't feel like sharing the story now, so I'll take my time and write about it next time.) Even before the pamamanhikan, I'm already excited and starting on the preparations. We just have a basic idea of what we want to happen: we want it to be simple, the food unforgettable. But since there hasn't been any formal meeting yet, between our parents, we can't finalise the date. You see, we initially want to have it on 05Nov, but my dad is against it. He has some traditional belief that it's not a good month to be wed. Well, I'm still hoping he'd change his mind, and so we're waiting until we can talk to him face-to-face. So there goes my blog. I don't even have a final date. Haha!