Food Tasting #5: Juan Carlo

I first tasted Juan Carlo's food from a friend's wedding more than 10 years ago. I can not remember anymore how the dish was but I think it was not really that spectacular. The serving was small and the food taste so-so. But during the Big banquet at the Blue Leaf, we got to taste Juan Carlo's food again and we so love their salad and dessert. It was really yummy! So when I saw on their site that they will have a food tasting at Fernbrook, I emailed them right away to reserve a slot.

Me and J was accompanied by my sister, who is also on the look out for a caterer for her debut, and our two male cousins. We arrived early. Medyo hindi ok yung pagdating namin dun because I think the AEs are still preparing and they are huddled on one table while we are standing there waiting to be acknowledge. I think it was an awkward 1-2 minutes before someone approached us. Yung medyo hindi OK na moment na yun, nabawi naman because Zarah, the AE assigned to us, was very machika and nice. It would have been better if she let us eat on our own first after discussing the packages then just come back after. Mahirap kase magdiscuss ng taste and presentation na merong nakikinig. Nonetheless, she was nice naman and offered so many freebies.

upgraded set-up

Sopa de Congrejo

The blue lemonade is sooo yummy. I drank a couple of glasses because it is refillable. We were served two kinds of soup. Sopa de Congrejo and Fresh Mushroom soup. I haven't tried the Sopa de Congrejo but J said it tasted bland. The Fresh Mushroom soup is OK naman.

Clockwise from Rice:
Rice - I forgot what it's called but tasted like Java Rice
Penne Carbonara with Bacon - tastes good (biased because I love Carbonara)
Mongolian Vegetables - tastes like Mongolian :) which I like
Pork Geneva - I don't like this. It has a strong aroma that I don't like
Chicken Hongkong Style - a bit dry but taste OK
Kare-Kare - this is yummy. I love kare-kare and this taste good
Salmon in Tequila Cream Sauce - better than Queensland's version :) But I am not really a fish person so ok lang sya for me

Clockwise from Rice:
Roast Pork with Prunes & Walnuts - this is sooo yummy! I really liked it.
Stir Fried Vegetables in Oyster Sauce - I liked the veggies. Parang chopseuy but with  Oyster sauce
Fish Steak with Tomato & Vegetable Salsa - I like that the fish is not malansa though I would prefer if it's crispy
COS Chicken with Piri-Piri Sauce - Spicy grilled chicken which surprisingly is not dry
Ox Tongue with Buttered Mushroom/Mashed Potato - I love lengua! And this does not disappoint me
Angel Hair Puttanesca - more on like an italian pasta than a pinoy one. But taste is OK

Pictures of how the main courses are presented at the Buffet Table:

Fruit Tarts - they are yummy but I would prefer it cold sana
I forgot the name of the one with the cherry on top but it's like meringue with cream and fruits - taste ok although sweet
Coffee Magnifico - this is to die for! If you've seen my Juan Carlo post from the Big banquet you would know we already tasted it there. This time, it is not chilled, mas ok sana if chilled, but as expected masarap talaga
Pandan Pannacotta (not on picture) - I don't know why they called it as Pannacotta because it's just like Pandan Jelly

Zarah offered us A LOT of freebies such as free centerpiece upgrade, free buffet upgrade, +2 desserts, +1 pasta, upgraded backdrop, 50 pcs. brewed coffee but we did not book on the spot. Wala pang "this is it" feeling and my concern is the food's not warm when served. Ganun din experience ko 10 years ago. Plus I think their servings are a bit small. But taste-wise, they are OK.

Food Tasting #4: The Big Banquet (Part 2)

The Big Banquet Part 1

K by Cunanan

Isa sila sa blockbuster that night. It took us a couple of minutes standing up while waiting for seats to be vacated. They also (as expected) had one of the most impressive set-up.

Seared Tuna on Crisp Tortilla - 2

Paella Soup - 3

Salted Caramel Pot de Creme - 2

Moscow Mule - 3

Overall Comment: Medyo naumay ako sa choices of food na sinerve ni kbyc. They said the Paella Soup is their take on Paella. The seafood are sweet and tasted fresh but the soups is a bit sour for me. Don't appreciate that the dessert is warm, too.

Florabel

Florabel owns Crisostomo's and we love Crisostomo's so we are excited to try their dishes. And I am also craving for Maki so I was really happy while getting the appetizers. Set up is not really that great but pwede na din.

super girly flower colors :)

Assorted Sushi and Sashimi - 3

Roast Black US Angus Rib-eye Steak with peppercorn Sauce - 2

Queso de Bola Cheesecake - 2

Dalandan Mint Iced Tea - 2

Overall Comment : My least favorite corner. Appetizers lang na enjoy ko. Their Roast Beef is the most bland roast beef we've had that night considering ang dami nilang nag offer ng roast beef. I also didn't enjoy the cheesecake kahit na fave ko ang cheesecake. And the iced tea? it's like sipping my favorite toothpaste.

Tjioe

One of my favorite! It's my first time to hear about them. Tjioe (Chew) specialized in Chinese foods. Therefore, no utensils for the night. Just chopsticks. :) 

Crispy Shell with Chicken Filling Yinyang Shrimp - 4

Barbeque Pork Short Ribs - 3

Red Beans Macapuno Pannacotta - 3

Raspberry Iced Tea - 3

Overall Comment: I super love the Yinyang Shrimp. Super yummy! I also appreciate that the Short Ribs have at least 4 sauces to choose from. I asked for a package from them and we are asking for another food tasting with them so we can try their other menu.

Juan Carlo

We like their gold table cloth. :) But they ran out of main dishes so that's a major boo. Good thing, the salad and dessert as both super yummy.

Crab Tumbler with Mango Ginger Cilantro Dressing - 4

Coffee Magnifico - 4

Kathryn's Tahitian Punch Drink - 2

Overall Comment: Yummy crab salad but I don't want the Pomelo because of the bitter after taste. I super love the Coffee Magnifico because I love coffee. The Punch is too sweet for me. 

Last 4 Caterers on Part 3...