Inquirer
By: Maurice Arcache
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MARTIN English and wife Madonna, Anne Dumoulin, Marshall White,
Domini Primero, Steve Borsuk
I’ve been to Morocco more than five times. I’ve been to Tangiers, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, and the beach of Agadir, and I’ve truly fallen in love with the culture, the exotic palaces, the ruins of yesteryears, the people and the incredibly delicious food.
So it’s great to know that Morocco has somehow landed in our shores through Kasbah, which offers exceptionally excellent Moroccan dishes. The resto, which originally opened in Boracay beside Discovery Shores, has now extended its presence to Manila. It has opened a branch at the Fort Strip.
This restaurant and bar famous for adding exotic luxury to the Boracay dining scene, now showcases the best of Morocco’s flavors and vibrant culture, dahlings, in its “souk-inspired” two-level Taguig City location.
JANINE Dario, moi, Kasbah first lady Madonna English, Teddy Dario
Madonna English is managing director and truly the Queen of the Kasbah. She welcomed the 200 or so invitees to the elbow-to-elbow affair. She had designed the interiors with her debonair husband Martin English and designer Robin da Roza.
Their attention to detail was evident in every corner, as they really captured the North African style through plush cushions and vibrant colors. The décor is great for savoring the unique flavors of Moroccan cuisine, palanggas.
A lavish buffet dinner spread was prepared by executive chef Fadi Zaidan. It included awesome favorites such as Tabbouleh, Tangier Calamares, Moroccan Cigars spring rolls, the wow Lamb Tagine, Seafood Tagine, three different flavored Couscous, and loads of mezze.
For desserts, there were luscious Baklava and the to-die-for Panna Cotta, all drowned by the superb Don Papa rum, made from our very own Negros sugar, no less, and Moët & Chandon Hennessy VS, natch!
Madonna English, MARTIN Wisniewski, Myrza Sison and husband Andrej Wisniewski
The drinks kept the crowd in high spirit, while they enjoyed music from the exotic Moroccan sitar and table musicians. Rock performances were provided by Kasbah regulars Noli Aurillio and Kevin Roy.
As if that wasn’t enough to keep us ecstatic with pleasure, there was the surprise appearance of a belly dancer, who danced her way through the crowd, amid applause and howls of delight from the international and local invitees, who partied on until 5 a.m.!
Wow! Now that’s one awesome opening that’s kinda hard to beat, dahlings. Check it out and you’ll definitely be back for more of Kasbah!
Singapore food fest at Dusit
STELLAR PR’s Joanna Francisco, Town & Country magazine’s Alicia Sy and Pierre Calasanz, Don Papa Rum’s Monica Llamas
Rains and strong winds couldn’t stop moi from dashing over to the Dusit Thani Manila to join the celebration of Singapore’s National Day, dahlings.
In partnership with Meritus’ Mandarin Orchard Singapore and Cebu Pacific Air, the hotel offered the sumptuous Singaporean Food Festival at its Basix All-Day Dining Restaurant, dahlings.
Guest chef was no less than the award-winning Liew Tian Heong from the world-class Chatterbox of Meritus’ Mandarin Orchard. Yes, palanggas, Chatterbox is home of my favorite, the top-rated Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Chef Liew leads Chatterbox with his superb kitchen skills, winning the gold in the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award (Hapa) Master Chef-Asian Cuisine in the 2011-2013 Regional Series.
Basix All-Day Dining Restaurant of Dusit Thani itself has been awarded by Hapa as The Most Chic All-Day-Dining Restaurant.
DEEJAY Paeste, Ornusa Cadness, Kasbah’s Robin da Roza, Nix Alañon
Of course, the star of the dishes was the incredible signature Hainanese Chicken Rice, which, would you believe, I had three servings of.
The buffet has tons of yummy dishes to choose from, such as Chili Crab, King Prawn Fried Hokkien Noodles, and Singaporean Laksa and Rojak specialties.
Because the buffet has great dishes, moi still plans to go back for more before the Singapore festival ends, dahlings
Leave it to Dusit Thani Manila to give us the best of international culinary happenings, dahlings.
More info? Call 2388888
