Hearts on Fire

This is another post birthday entry.  Was invited to have dinner at the renowned Fireplace restaurant at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila.  Haven't been there in ages, so decided to bring my siblings for a wonderful dining experience. We were welcomed by the manager Joy who was very warm, accomodating and pleasantly brought us to our corner table.  We were in for a treat to one of Manila's best kept secrets, Fireplace is famous for its prime steaks, wide selection of wines and unique setting. Marked with distinction, the chic atmosphere gives you a feeling of being inside a chalet or an exclusive cellar.  Tucked in the heart of Manila, one can be assured this reclusive haven is no scene to be seen and one can enjoy the perfect private dining experience.  Revisiting Fireplace gives the author the feeling of coming back home.  Despite the passage of time, nothing much has changed because everything has amazingly been well maintained and the cuisine is as fabulous as ever. One must try the assortment of gastronomic indulgences that will definitely satisfy your heart's craving. Loving great ambiance matched with exemplary service, every moment is truly a memorable one.  Thanks so much to Loni Balagtas, the staff and management of Hyatt Hotel and Casino for the extraordinary treat.  Cheers!
 

Light and Shade.

Wood wonders.

Lush.

The wonders of Joy the restaurant manager.

Spare me a piece of bread.

Ceasar salad.

Yummy mushroom soup with truffle oil.

Surf and Turf.  Tenderloin steak with huge prawns.

Grilled Sea Bass.

Compliments from the chef. Creamy Potato Gratin.

Sweet intoxication. Chocolate soup with vanilla ice cream.

Let them eat cake courtesy of the Hyatt family.

Loving the extraordinary pampering.  Thank you.

Sibling revelry with Erica and Catrina.

Hyatt Hotel and Casino is located in Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila. For enquiries and reservations, call The Fireplace on 247 8666 or email fireplace.mn@hyatt.com

Now and Then

There are some good things you keep on coming back to.  Last year, this author was saddened by the news that Cafe Adriatico or more commonly known as Cafe Ad in Malate, Manila burned down. The pillar through decades of Malate culture and nightlife was witness to countless fashion and lifestyle chronicles which has been part of history.  Malate for a time was the scene to be seen and this establishment was the heart of it all--it was where it all began.  
About three weeks ago, this author found out this institution is having a resurrection and was excited to drop by and check it out with friends. When we finally visited, the place seemed the same though there were minor changes.  The walls were painted with a lighter shade of yellow with green highlights.  There were new fixtures hanging on the wall with some memorabilia plus the lighting seemed a little brighter. Old world charm dominates the entire theme of the place with a lot of dark wood furniture and wood works. So decided to order the all time favorite spareribs adobo and savory taste of it was gloriously recalled by my palette that filled my craving apetite. Among the ones frequently ordered besties are the callos (tripe and chick peas in tomatto sauce) and lengua estofada (ox tongue) in mushroom sauce. For dessert is the popular Claude's Dream which is a concoction of vanillla ice cream, pandan gulaman and buko.  Service was really good and this author was lucky to have bumped into one of their more senior waiters whom he's met more than a decade ago.  How quickly time flies as I fondly recall a lot of chitchats, kwentos and dramas that has made this place so memorable in my life. There might have be slight changes but the food, ambience and service is still the same...some good things are made to last.

The new(?) establishment.  

Al fresco setting.

The author has been coming back ever since he first step foot in the mid 80's.

The look is very "ancestral" home inspired with a lot of dark wood and vintage details.

People watching.

The old new bar.

Stairway leading to the second floor where the bar is located.

The spacious second floor smoking area.

Love this vintage fixture.

Wood carvings of olden times.

Frame within a frame. 

Vintage cashier.

The menu of yummies.

The famous spareribs adobo.

Another popular dish is the Hainanese chicken.

Max Factor's Chief makeup artist Bobby Carlos and Expat magazine EIC and Phil. 
Star columnist Katrina Holigores.

Fashion stylist Corine Alegre.

Fashion designer Louis Claparols.

Café Adriatico, Malate is located at 1790 M. Adriatico St., Remedios Circle, Malate

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel .(02) 523-7924

Fit for a King

The last time I was at the presidential Suite of The Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Malate, Manila was around more than three years ago. I was feeling nostalgic looking back at all the good memories since I  frequented the hotel to hang out with friends for dinner and drinks.  You can dine your heart away in any of their restos namely Lili(Chinese), Fireplace(steakhouse) or Market Cafe(buffet style) and be assured of good food all worth your while.  Anyway, we were there for a series of shoots and when we got to the the room it looked like the place was frozen in time.  Everything seemed the same and was happy to see nothing has changed( in a good way) considering its almost always fully booked( according to secret sources). I guess this equates to high maintenance which should be the standard among five-star hotels.  The 220 sq. metre suite has all the amenities you can dream of. Modern design presented in a variety of wood tones fill the place with a play and display of lights highlighting decorative art.  Warm, welcoming and unpretentious, ostentatious fixtures and furnishings are nowhere in sight.  My team and I were fortunate enough to have it for a day and everyone seemed to enjoy this work get together.  The management and staff took care of us pretty well and was kind enough to assist us with our needs. No doubt we were grateful to be treated like royalty for a day even if it was just a day.

Grand allure.

Tea for two?



The bedroom.



Lounge act.

I have this weakness for big spacious bathrooms with white tiles.  The illusion of space is in the art of living well.  Nothing to flashy, just simple, stark and minimal interiors. Wish I had a bathroom like this, and if I did, I can imagine spending hours just hanging out there...sitting in luxury. Despite the shoots we had to accomplish with loads of clothes, shoes and accessories, we went through the entire day just going with the flow of fun. After all, how can one complain when you're in the best suite in the house with a perfect view of the breathtaking ocean during the day and an endless parade of passing headlights along Roxas boulevard at night.

The mirror has two faces.



Have you seen my rubber duckie?

Paint my wall.

Twin spheres.

A face without a name.

Made in the Philippines.



Fitting form.



Hyatt Manila is located at 1588 Pedro Gil cor M.H. Del Pilar, Malate, Manila, Philippines 1004.  Tel: +63 2 245 1234    Fax: +63 2 247 1234  or Email: manila.casino@hyatt.com