A fashion statement at Circles

What happens when two of my most favorite things, makeup and sweets, merge together? What you get is a tweener’s dream come true, a sweet indulgence that tastes as delightful as it looks. Edible cosmetics are hot. But don’t expect to find them in the beauty and makeup section of the more popular department stores, because they can be exclusively found only at the Circles Event Café of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Yes, that’s right. Circles is always full of pleasant surprises: New and exciting food concepts make each visit to this popular resto an experience to look forward to. And this time is no exception. On my last visit, I stopped and lingered at their newest offering – a full-scale beauty bar, complete with an extensive line of makeup in a rainbow of shades: edible cosmetics to drool over. Lipsticks that come in strawberry and raspberry candy flavors, pistachio lollipops in a compact, chocolate mascara, citrus-flavored misters, butter cream lip gloss, chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla syrup in lotion tubes. This palette of makeup goodies is on display at the end of dessert station.

Two lovely ladies assisted me in choosing what shades and flavors were most delicious. For instance, the vanilla syrup in the lotion tube makes a perfect drizzle on Shang’s signature bread pudding. The kiwi-flavored mister adds the perfect tang to vanilla gelato. They tell little girls to coat blueberry nail polish on their delicate fingernails, then lick them off clean.

But do not let the gimmick fool you: These sweet thrills are expertly prepared with the finest quality ingredients and artfully presented.

Staying on top of the restaurant scene is no mean feat, and Circles has proven itself a leader in its field. With executive chef Christopher Romine at the helm, it manages to have a regular following of metro sophisticates and gourmet savvy patrons. The friendly servers are all pros, the kitchen is open to the dining room, and the food generates plenty of fireworks on its own. Tables and chairs are immensely comfortable, beautiful people fill the tables, making Circles a great place to graze and gaze. Nevertheless, it’s still the food that is the star of the show – fresh, and gratifying.

At the end of a meal, I was given a kikay kit of all the cosmetic goodies displayed at the Circles beauty bar, and since my daughters were a bit too old for this stuff, I kept them all to myself. I secretly took a bite from the strawberry cream lipstick on the trip home, and I smiled to myself like a kid who had stolen a cookie from a cookie jar.

A marvelous revolution in good taste, exciting food concepts, culinary display, and attentive service with generous toppings of art and fashion – that, for metro sophisticates and the gourmet savvy, is a plus factor at Circles. Nevertheless, the stars and scene-stealers here are the dishes themselves. This is downright delicious food that will temporarily deprive you of thought and speech!

Go and indulge. These great offerings at Circles Events Café spring gourmet surprises on serious foodies. I spent lunchtime at one of the busier restos in the metro, and I discovered a cosmetic bar that was on top of the gourmet business: a special lineup of desserts no one in the city has ever seen!