Nostalgic Taal Vista

Most of us have, at some time, admired how spectacularly lovely the tiny volcano on the lake is, stopped for coffee or tea or lunch at the Taal Vista Lodge. It was the traditional stop, until it became home to a casino, its facilities deteriorated and relegated to oblivion, specially since lots of restaurants, from fine dining to fast food, started dotting the area.

Well, take a good look again at Taal Vista. It has become a hotel, completely renovated, 4-star no doubt, with a Lobby Lounge providing a warm welcome, an invitingly cool swimming pool and a ballroom for grand receptions. It has taken on a new face, new owners (the SM Sys) and new management (Fuego Hotels and Properties Management Corporation), plus most recently a guest chef from Spain, the youngish Mikel Arriete from San Sebastian.

A fortnight ago, we motored to the hotel, a pleasant trip that took us only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Makati. We were attending "The Flavors of Spain 2" launch, a festival perfectly blending Spanish cuisine with exquisite wines. Today is the last day, you can still catch it. We got there late for lunch at Café on the Ridge, but the display was still fresh and the main courses hot. Chef Mikel did a good job.

From the Tapas menu we enjoyed Salsichon en Melon (pepper sausages, therefore hot) on curliques of honey dew melon; Queso Manchego on our green salad with sherry dressing; of course Paella with each grain flavored with saffron; Atun Cebollado (tuna in onions); Cordero Mediterraneo al Horno (roast lamb) and as a tribute to the town, breaded tawilis fried crisp, plus many more and some fantastic desserts like the innovative Milhojas de Calabaza (Pumpkin layered cake). Even after the festival, Chef Mikel will continue to delight guests with his concoctions, which will be in the regular menu. Mikel comes from the Northern region of Spain, known for its rich cuisine that includes Cod Fish ala Viscayna, Fabada and excellent cheeses and great wines. He worked with some of the country’s best restaurants, achieving an expertise built on the use of fresh ingredients (seafood or vegetables) and delicious flavors.

The next time you visit Taal Vista Hotel, buy some of the fresh produce (and sauces) offered on a kart by the dining area, by Leisure Farms. Beautiful seedless salad tomatoes cost P110 a kilo, capsicum at P150 a kilo, various herbs at P35 a pack; flowers and even potted seedlings (horsetail, rosemary, bromeliads) from P80 to P200. Don’t forget to look into their guests rooms–cozy, well ventilated with king-size beds.

The Burp…Excuse Me!!! ladies are busy in their kitchen preparing their alternative shopping list for Christmas. They aim to help homemakers plan their menus without going through the hassle of shopping and cooking. The goodies and food come wrapped and decorated. They have suggestions for two, 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 persons. In their list are Queso and Jamon bread rolls, Garlic and Cheese Crisps with Balut ala Pobre, Galantina con Jamon and Bulalo Steak. Call Mench or Mimit at 744-4154.

A recent visit to Makati Supermarket (in Alabang) yielded an unusual cooking oil, made from Jasmin rice. This is from Thailand and comes in 3-quart bottles at P279 each. Could be a good alternative to canola and corn oils. Also look these up: the new Nestle Maggi Feel Good Low-fat soups–Creamy Mushroom, Hearty Tomato-Basil, Chili con Carne and Creamy Chicken Curry. The last one is the family’s favorite.

Sweets from Mindanao. Other than durian, Minco Industrial Confectionery Corp. in Davao has come up with mangosteen bars while in Cagayan de Oro SN Food Products sell the tasty Fely’s Homemade Cheese Sticks. These products are distributed in Manila by Pac-A-Cham Marketing corporation, tel. 837-7339.

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