The boys of Barcino

When Oscar Bosch went to the Philippines in 2004, he realized that there was no place to buy good yet affordable Spanish wine. That experience prompted him to open a deli in Ortigas called Barcino Gourmet, named after the former Latin name of the Catalan capital. Barcino started as a bar and solidified its presence in the country in late 2006 because of the two young Spaniards, Dani Aliaga and Sergi Rostoll.

In 2008, Barcino opened its second branch in The Fort, followed by Greenbelt 5, then Greenbelt 2 and now its fifth branch in Rockwell. The Barcino boys, namely managing director/partner Rafael Rostoll, manager/partner Uri Singla, corporate marketing manager Besay Gonzalez, chef Jaume Vinyallonga and partner Sergi Rostoll (visiting from Shanghai where he is now based), hosted a special dinner the day before Barcino opened to the public.

The seven-course dinner started with what chef Jaume called a “Smooth Appetizer,” which was fried battered prawn with a squash gazpacho paired with Estrella Galicia beer, a refreshing beer available in Barcino. This was followed by a Mi-cuit with spicy bread, toasted corns (almost like what we fondly call “cornicks”) and balsamic reduction. Mi-cuit is a process of partially cooking foie gras, therefore preserving the blocs for a longer period of time. A bloc de foie gras is a silky smooth spread made by whipping together small pieces of goose or duck and pressed into a “bloc.” This went very well with a sparkling Cava Vilarnau from Gonzalez Byass. Scallops with caramelized onion and ginger and tomato sauce paired with a 2007 Vallformosa Claudia rounded up the starters. The main emtrees started with Chilean sea bass with vanilla-tomato concasse, spinach, and mushrooms served with a 2008 Martin Codax Albarino. The vanilla seeds in the tomato  concasse proved to be very interesting. Two staple Spanish dishes followed: lengua with mashed potatoes served with a 2004 red La Miranda de se Castilla from Vinas del Vero, Gonzalez Byass and lamb chops with apple compote and rosemary paired with another excellent red Fontal Crianza from Bodenas Fontana.  Dessert was called pineapple bomba with crema Catalana and fruit pincho paired with a dessert wine Nectar PX, again from Gonzalez Byass.

The group was definitely full and satisfied with the excellent dinner prepared by chef Jaume and wines paired by the Barcino boys. The special dinner menu, apparently not available in the regular Barcino menu, proved to be such a hit that they are thinking of putting the dishes served at the special dinner in their regular menu, together with their excellent tapas and other Spanish dishes and fantastic Spanish wines.

Check out the newest branch of Barcino in Rockwell, R1 Level, Power Plant Mall (street side). Call 8469423 for reservations.

No more bad-hair days

Hair stylist Peter Coppola founded Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy that gives one the benefits of beautiful hair without damaging chemicals.  It rebuilds, restores, and rejuvenates all kinds of hair with products formulated with 40 percent natural keratin. Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy reduces up to 95 percent of frizz. It is recommended for those who do not want stick-straight hair or those who want to loosen up their curls and for those with damaged hair due to bleaching, rebonding, and chemically-damaged hair.

Marketing manager of Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy Drea Zulueta says, “It’s an exciting product that’s easier to sell to more discerning clients because you can still color and highlight your hair as much as you want without any dryness or damage.  The best thing about the treatment is that the more you do it, the better and healthier your hair condition becomes.”

The original smoothing treatment process takes two and a half hours and requires clients to refrain from wetting their hair for 72 hours to see effective results that last from three to five months.

Another topnotch hair treatment is Keratin Express Blowout. This treatment only takes an hour but produces the same effect and lasts up to six weeks. Those who will avail of this treatment can wash their hair in just eight hours, instead of the usual 72 hours.

Society Lounge in Atrium Makati was where Keratin Complex laid the scene. Keratin Complex vice president Rick Gerstein and Zulueta were present to welcome guests as Patty Laurel hosted the affair. An audio-visual presentation by Keratin Complex International’s Martino Cartier showed how the Keratin Complex Express Blowout is done.

DJ Jessica Mendoza, designer Camille Co, host Issa Litton, entrepreneur Tetchie Hagedorn, STAR columnist Mayenne Carmona and designer Criselda Lontok have tried the Keratin Complex Express Blowout for themselves and shared with guests the benefits they got from this product.

 (With the Keratin Complex Express Blowout, perfect hair is now within reach! Visit Philippe Salon, Toni and Guy Essensuals, Henri Calayag Salon, Louis Phillip Kee Salon, Piandre Salon, Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, Studio 546, Emphasis Salon, Regine’s Salon, Prive Salon, Manila Polo Club Salon, Jing Monis Salon, Victoria’s Salon, French Cut SalonProfiles Salon, Indigo Salon, Justine Barbara Salon in Laguna, Cecil Marie Salon in BF Parañaque, Bridges Salon and Expose Salon in Cebu, Pink and Gold Salon in Davao and some branches of David’s Salon in Manila and Pampanga to try it!)

‘Soulmates’ at The Establishment

R&B stalwarts Jay-R and Kyla will showcase their diverse repertoire in a show dubbed as Soulmates at The Establishment at The Fort on Friday, Feb. 11. The songs they will sing include nostalgic Motown classics, heart-melting ballads, funk-flavored grooves as well as their own award-winning OPM (Original Pilipino Music). Joined by a full rhythm section and their coterie of back-up dancers, the show is directed by Freddie Santos, with musical direction by Marvin Querido.

This concert features the much-awaited back-to-back performances of two after its highly-successful debut at the Music Museum November last year.

Soulmates tickets are inclusive of heavy cocktails. Showtime is at 8 p.m. The concert is produced by The Establishment and is a production of ALV Events International.

(For ticket inquiries, call ALV Events International (633-98-25 to 27) or The Establishment  (844-9093 / 0916-7603338).)