Superb dinner at Hola España

There are expensive restaurants and there are those who only stop at being expensive. At Hola España (The Terraces at Ayala Center Cebu), they go beyond what we call expensive. In fact we were literally pampered when we had dinner there. Gary, the cute head waiter at Hola, served us.

We ordered Bruschetta first. I think this is more of an Italian fare and not Spanish but who cares? When it arrived, the sight of it was fantastic. We asked for olive oil and balsamic vinegar and extra cheese to go with the bruschetta. It was served with extra care and smile. The taste was heavenly!

Gary gave us more hot bread and butter. I had my San Mig Light.

Then came Paella Valenciana, a combination of rice, chicken, seafood, vegetables and to my dismay, there was pork on it. Not to embarass my friend, I got my small share to taste the saffron the menu stated was there. It was really good but all I could taste was curry. I was thinking saffron tasted different and not curry-like.

The Bacalao ala Viscania was served later, a healthy combination of fish fillet, tomatoes, tender potatoes and olives. It tasted fishy of course and I devoured it with gusto.

A bottle of Spanish white wine suggested by Gary completed the ensemble.

I skipped the creme brulee and opt for the dark chocolate Boktot gave me the afternoon before. 

I had a good life, so to speak.

Feeling Greek, eating Greek

   

   

   

   

We all watched Mamma Mia! and wondered how to go to Greece and enjoy everything Greek. But aside from Christine who works in some private yacht touring Europe, all of us could not even afford to seat in a plane to Greece.

So Christine pampered us to a Greek cuisine, my choice actually, and brought us to Cyma at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu.

Although they were on a limited menu, Ice, our waiter, recommended some of the available fares which all of us found mind-boggling even with their names. But our mission there was to explore. And taste Greece. 

We ordered the weirdest of names and later was amused with their taste. Mora man lang nig burito kung wa pa ning lime ug white cheese. (This is just burrito with lime and cheese.) Some of us later quipped. We ordered different food and later share them so as to maximize the experience.

I like the sweet melon and lamb salad best over a bottle of Hardy's white wine.

Now I am not the food critique type but I found the food served actually exciting and full of flavors. I wondered why our Filipino cuisine lacked the tang from the herbs Mediterraneans would put on their cuisine. But then again we all have different tastes and each region is distinct from the other. 

And so this experience.

And while there, be careful with anything that comes with fire- the staff at Cyma would usually shout OPA! upon serving. If it is your first time there, I am sure you would be shocked.