Chow Time!

Cena, a Spanish verb for "dine", is a cozy place of fine wine and tasty food. To celebrate its first anniversary, the eight owners–super pals Chris Escudero, Miko de Villa, Johann Ramos, Lovell Gopez, Paula Locsin, Alan Mathay, Von Tan Gana and Ditrie Villacorta III–laid out a sumptuous spread that brought folks out to Libis to find out its magical appeal.

"We could hardly believe one year was over," enthused Lovell. The good food comes from chef Alan Mathay, a European food master who really loves to cook since he was young. Alan studied at Le Cordon Bleu in London. The buffet spread he prepared was mouth-watering to the max.

Enjoying the gastronomic night, dahlings, were handsome Vince Hizon, TV anchors TJ Manotoc and Anthony Suntay, Danica and Oyo Sotto, Anne Curtis and Sunshine Dizon with their non-showbiz pals and proud dad Renato de Villa.

Cena, palanggas, is now too small for the booming crowd, so followers are waiting for the opening of its branch sooner than soon at the new Greenbelt 2 in Makati.

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Imagine this: tender strips of bistek cooked in a Japanese donburi pan, mixed with egg, caramelized onions and donburi sauce, poured over piping hot Japanese rice. The result: Bistek Don, only at Pinoydon, the most exciting fusion restaurant to hit Manille.

The brilliant combination was crafted a year ago by restaurateur Deanne Deanne Montoya, marketing consultant Jane Cruz-Walker and advertising man Alain Panlilio. With partners Martin Litton and Raymond Cruz, Pinoydon opened during a full moon at Level 5 of The Podium, with singer Viktoria, TV host Ces Oreña-Drilon and VJ JM Rodriguez snipping the ribbon.

So what if you take longganisa and other Filipino classics like adobo, tapa and bangus belly and cook it the donburi way? The results are unspeakably delicious and the possibilities are endless! Expect new dishes soon, but in the meantime, "Oishi desu yo!"

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Remember, palanggas, "Put your faith in Christ and you can out your fears to rest." Smile. See you.