Food Tasting #4: The Big Banquet (Part 3)

The Big Banquet (Part 1)

The Big Banquet (Part 2)

Bizu

When I think of Bizu, first thing that comes to my head are desserts. I have no idea how their food taste. I like their dessert buffet set up that night. Their chairs are also so old school that brings back childhood memories.

Wild Mushroom Deep Dish Quiche - 2

Mini Eggs Benedict - 2

Smoked Salmon with Dill Pistachio Mousseline on Short Bread - 2

Three Cheese Spinach & Mushroom Ravioli Pasta - 3

Cucumber Lemonade - 2

Macaron de Paris - 3

Nirvana Trifle with Dark Chocolate & Pistachio Creamer & Rocher - 3

Overall Comment: They offer quite a few selections. Their set up is very dainty and girly. I like their desserts. I like the ravioli. But that stops there. I did not like the rest of the food I have tasted. The Lemonade tasted like my cleansing juice. Haha.

Center Table

We are already in a rush because we only got less than 30 minutes to finish with all the caterers. Plus we are so full that we are just dragging our feet to each caterer. Since patapos na din yung event, madami na din yung ubos na and makalat na. But their food is OK naman. OK din ang set up.

Eastern Shrimp Rolls - 5

US Certified Black Angus Beef - 4

Strawberry Sansrival - 2

Green Apple Iced Tea - 3

Overall Comment: Sila lang ang nabigyan ko ng 5. Their Shrimp rolls are super yummy and not to mention hot. Kaya nag enjoy kami kainin. The rest tikim-tikim na lang sa sobrang busog. I don't know bakit hindi ko napicturan yung food. Grrr.. I don't like their sansrival. Tasted like super lamog na strawberries.

Mesclun

First time to hear about them. Pero their food is OK din naman. Hindi ko na lang naenjoy kase nakakasuka na. Not their fault naman.

 Andre's Poke - 2
Roast Pork Belly with Lechon Rice - 3
Pauline Chocolate - 2
Raspberry/Tamarind Iced Tea - 2

Overall Comment: What I appreciate it that their Pork belly is so tender and the skin is so crispy. I also like the sauces for the wraps. Andre's Poke is spicy. The chocolates are super bitter. I didn't enjoy it even though I love dark chocolates.

Red
Nice set up. Damask + Black/Red is nice. Food is OK din but what I really love is their Callos.

Jalapeño Stuffed Croquettes - 3
Callos - 4
Arroz con Leche - 2
Fruit Blended Iced Tea - 3

Overall Comment: I love their Callos. Day after the event, I'm still craving. But yun lang nagustuhan ko. Hindi ko na naenjoy yung Croquettes even if I love croquettes kase super busog na. The dessert is a bit bland so I didn't like it.

Sulit ba yung Php500? YES. I may not have met my 'this is it' caterer on the event but I enjoyed the whole experience. Will I go to future events like this? Absolutely! :)

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...

Food Tasting #4: The Big Banquet (Part 1)

I'll be dividing this post into three parts due to the volume of pics and because it consisted of 11 caterers.

The Big Banquet (Part 2)

The Big Banquet (Part 3)

Last Sunday, I was accompanied by my ever-supportive ento/cousins/sister to The Big Banquet Food Tasting held at the Blue Leaf Events Pavilion, McKinley. It was not cheap considering ang dami kong alalay. haha. For Php500 (Php400/couple) you get to try appetizer, main course, dessert and signature drink of all the participating caterers. We didn't eat our lunch in preparation for the battle. :) We chose the 4-7pm slot and we arrived on the dot. We registered and was assigned to proceed to Jade hall first then Banyan then last would be Silk. I thought the 2 hours is more than enough to try all the caterers. We were proven wrong.

The event occupied all 3 events hall (Silk, Jade & Banyan)

Our "passport" (Front view)

Back View with how the caterers are spread out

The "passport" is where the detailed menu per caterer is printed and we need to grade each dish/drink and it will be our raffle ticket. We need to give it back after we finished with the 11 caterers.

                               Ratings:

                                            1 - Thanks but it could be better

                                            2 - It's Okay

                                            3 - We had a good time!

                                            4 - I love it!

                                            5 - Awesome! I would recommend it!            

Josiah's

We started with Josiah's. We are the first ones to arrived so we get to check out the untouched table decorations and buffet set-up. We were ushered to our seats and the food selections were served plated.

Boursin Cheese on Melba Toast - 2

California Seafood Springrolls - 4

Sundried Tomato & Cream Cheese Stuffed Roast Chicken - 2

Baked Salmon with Mango Butter Sauce - 3

S'mores - 3

Peanut Butter Mousse - 2

Raspberry Iced Tea - 4

Overall Comment: They are the only caterer who served two varieties per category. Taste is OK. I particularly liked the Seafood springrolls and the iced tea.

Hizon's

We already tried Hizon's during their FT at Fernbrook. But for the benefit of trying everything, we drop by their corner, too. I thought they will be serving their Baked Fish with Spinach but that's not what they served that day. 

I super love the contrast! Sadly it wouldn't fit our theme and motif.

Crisped Beef Ssam Rolls - 2
48-hour Roasted US Beef Belly (with Herbed Marble Potatoes) - 2
Sunken Island with Vanilla Custard - 2
Iced Tea - 2

Overall Comment: Sadly, those where also our least favorite from the first time we tried their food. I still don't like the Roast Beef and the Rolls. The dessert is too sweet.

Albergus
I don't often read or hear about Albergus catering. So I'm kinda excited on what they're gonna offer. Side chika: this is where we saw Maxene Magalona with her (boy)friend.

simple but elegant set-up

Salmon & Tuna Tartare - 4

Slow Roast US Beef Belly with Mashed Potato - 4

Red Velvet Duo - 2

Pandan Lemongrass Juice - 3

Overall Comment: Food is not great but still above OK. I love the Tartare. I forgot how the dessert tasted so I guess that's not really special. Their juice tastes like Andok's marinate - in a not yucky way. Haha. 

Continuation on next post...