New fashion zone at Crossings

"The Ramp" now consists of 12 new boutiques in an all-new fashion zone at Crossings. This is the brainchild of mother-daughter team, Presy and Alexandra Ramos.

The Ramp offers a charming mix of fashion with labels that include Wildflower, Seven Dials, Dressing Room, Richie Ortega’s United Pop, Puey Quiñones’ Vado, Tina Navarro’s Rocco, Tant Pour Elle, Urban & Co., CMGlam, Free People, shoe label Hotwind and denim brands Levi’s and Dockers.

A fashion show was held on a kilometric runway that featured dozens of models and the latest holiday looks in every category from casual and resort to prom queen and yuppy. 

Spotted at the event were National Bookstore’s Socorro Ramos, Kate Gordon, Susan Medina, Nini Licaros, Rachy Cuna, makeup expert Patrick Rosas, Gene and Genevieve Gozum, Benjo Bautista, Nori Poblador, Andrew Marcelo and Mark Padilla.

L'Opera is back!

L’Opera, one of Manila’s finest Italian restaurants, has found a new home in The Fort. It reopened its doors in time for its 11th anniversary. 

 Chef Moreno Mattei whipped up several of his specialties such as the mini mushroom ravioli in cream sauce and mini seafood ravioli in pomodoro sauce. A buffet table was also set up with beef involtini, seafood spiedini and veal saltimbocca.

 Former First Lady Imelda Marcos and Italian Ambassador Rubens Fedele cut the ceremonial ribbon as guests enjoyed the food and fine wine and liquors from Premiere Wines & Spirits, Galileo Trading, Espa-Fil, Junnels, Zen Asia, Bacchus International, Italfood and Werdenberg International. 

Owners Paolo Nesi, Conrad Acedillo, Ermil Napa and chef Moreno welcomed the guests who have been waiting for this restaurant to open. 

Others seen at the event were Maurice Arcache, Anton Mendoza, Ipe Cruz, David Nugent, Tonton Gatmaitan, Leo Po, Marielle Santos, Yong Litonjua, Patrick Sy, Karen Santos, Bela Vasquez, Patrick Reyno, Marco Napa, Cory Quirino, Monica Albert, Nicole de Castro, Manny Reyes, Fe Napa, Claudio Menesini, Joe Riley, Michael Colangelo, Joey Pineda, Chito David and Cutie del Mar.

(For inquiries, call 899-7322.)

Seven most stunning...

The fourth of Mild 7’s series of Most Seven events called Most Stunning Seven Party was held at the hot new Fiamma Resto bar on Jupiter Street in Makati City.  The split level hotspot was conceived by the creators of Il Ponticello and Pravda (formerly on Nicanor Garcia Street). The event had a sleek and chic backdrop for a photo exhibit that Raymund Isaac and Epson prepared for the evening.

Free flowing red and white wine from Rene Barbier and its sparkling Freixenet kept guests in a good mood as Mild Seven saluted seven of Manila’s most beautiful new faces: editor Bea Constantino, graphic designer Chicho Suarez, model Fortune Santos, interior designer/model Marilen Faustino, Martin Jickain, stylist Michelle Pamintuan and Princess Violago.

Others spotted at the event were GP Reyes, Karylle, Fiamma’s Paolo Trillo, Embassy’s Erik Cua, Issa Reyes, Rico Serrano and Cindy Kurleto.

The Most Sought After Seven party is on Dec. 2, the Most Superstar Seven party at the NBC Tent is on Dec. 8 and the Mild Seven Christmas Bash is on Dec. 20 at Fiamma.

All about life’s vision

Vision in Life, a network marketing company for the young achiever, celebrated its first anniversary with a multi-sensory party at the NBC Tent. Several guests were entertained by a line up of performers that included Franco Mabanta, Aliya Parcs, Francis M., Christian Bautista and Ana Fegi.

Seven members of Vision in Life who had become millionaires within a few months of joining the company were awarded that night.  They were UP graduate Samuel Versoza, former boy band member Jay Acuzar, student Paul Gasque, UE basketball star Raymond Leyga, student Beth Estalilia, personality development trainor Tom Saludes and UP stage actor and assistant director for TV commercials RS Francisco.

Vision in Life chairman lawyer Saludes spearheaded the celebration, with announcements of various new developments for the company. He said Vision’s secret for becoming the number 1 marketing company in the country is because of three things: credibility, stability and integrity.

A thousand happiness

Edsa Shangri-La, Manila has changed its Japanese restaurant from Nishiki to Senju, Japanese for "a thousand hapiness." Senju launches a new array of authentic Japanese menu offering "a feast of a thousand pleasures."   Senju is one of only eight international restaurants operated by Restaurant Suntory whose main office is in Tokyo, Japan. Since 1970, the group has been pioneering authentic upscale restaurants in major cities.

Senju’s new resident Japanese chef Kiyoshi Ogawa proudly says: "I’m a Japinoy!" He considers his current stint in the Philippines a blessing for him and his family. Having a Filipina wife and three children, Ogawa feels he is half-Filipino at heart.  Born into a family primarily involved in the food business, Ogawa chose between working at his paternal grandfather’s fish market and becoming a chef in his maternal grandfather’s restaurant in Tsukiji, Tokyo. 

He eventually chose the latter. After finishing culinary studies in Japan, Ogawa worked in Hawaii in 1983 for Inagiku Restaurant and later moved to its branches in San Diego and Daly City in California. From North America, he joined the Hilton Chain in Tokyo, Jakarta and Malaysia for 15 years.

Ogawa says that 80 percent of the Senju menu showcases the modern Japanese way of preparing food as researched by Restaurant Suntory.  A distinct feature of any Suntory-operated restaurant is the kaiseki, widely considered the height of Japanese cuisine.  The teppanyaki is also one of Senju’s highlights. I highly recommend the Senju roll which has crispy salmon skin, unagi (eel) and kani (crabstick).  An interesting order would be the seared sushi with toro (tune belly) or foie gras.

Senju is located at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila’s Mezzanine Level. It is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. daily. A buffet of all-time favorite Japanese dishes is available for lunch every Sunday. 

(For inquiries and reservations, call 634-7373 or 633-8888.)

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