Ordre Mondial @ City Sports

There is an association here in Cebu that has the objective of promoting good wines, liqueurs and spirits. Called the L’Ordre Mondial, it is the special branch of La Chaine Group and members study the development and crafting of fine alcoholic beverages.

It is really like going back to school, but this time with a glass of fine wine or spirits and dissecting the nuances of the drink with fellow members or guests who are either producers or dealers of such drinks or with fellow connoisseurs. If this was the environment when my beloved readers were still in school, I am pretty sure that absences would be kept to a minimum.

Venue of the study was the City Sports Club Cebu (Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, phone 415-8700, http://www.citysportsclub.com)  a joint undertaking between Cebu Holdings and the Ayala Land to provide an urban resort for the whole family to enjoy with facilities for sports, fitness, recreation and dining. You can eat at the La Veranda, Bistro 88 or make special arrangements to any of its amenities for that special occasion like this study group.

Your favorite food columnist had met Cebu Sports Club Cebu Executive Chef Brain Bersonda and we had chosen him as the best young chef in a competition years ago and I have learned that today he prepares the best rolled pork lechon and inun-unan nga salmon with bihod.

Drinks served were the following: Corte delle Calli Prosecco, Chateaueuf-du-Pape 2008, Gigondas 2009, Chateau La Rose Brisson Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2006 including a Belgian beer, Stella Artois which is classified as a premium lager beer.

Paired with these beverages was a wonderful selection of international dishes with emphasis on those that are available along the Mediterranean coastline: Bread with tomato basil balsamic, Arugula, grilled pears & walnuts, Crab cakes with sweet chili sauce, Mushroom, garlic & green salad, Crispy pork hoisin & lettuce, Mediterranean sea food salad, Chorizo & egg, Spanish sardines & marinated peppers and Penne with sausage and green beans.

At this point of time, I was still recovering from a very bad case of food allergy so I avoided egg, chicken and sea food (except fish). There were two dishes that were my constant companions, the Roast Beef, Gruyere & Masala and the Steamed Fish Roll with Tomatoes and Capers. To allow all those hyper sensitized body cells, excuse me, to recover I had a limit to my drinks that night and that was only one glass of wine to drink!

Two of my colleagues of the L’Ordre Mondial, David Sharpe and Winglip K. Chang promised “a great night of wine tasting, good food and good fun” at minimal expense and that evening, all members and guest went home well satisfied! [email protected]