Food Tasting #3: Queensland's

This is the saddest FT we had so far. I am seriously considering QLD prior to the FT. I was fervently hoping that it would turn out well because I have high hopes that I might get them. Yes, there are mixed reviews for QLD, some horror stories I couldn't even imagine. But I am a lurker to their FB page and I must say, the styling is at par with other suppliers out there. I've read somewhere that now, the daughter is the one managing the business that's why they offer styling already so I think that's one of the reasons why they are improving on their services.

So here goes our sad story. We contacted Michelle first week of April to schedule our FT. Due to the Holy Week, we end up getting the Apr 27 schedule. Days prior to the date, I called Michelle to inform her that we will be coming as a big group even though food tasting is only good for 2 persons. I told her we are preparing for 3 events (2 debuts + my wedding) and aside from the 6 pax, we might tag along 3 more pax totaling to 9 pax. She said we need to pay Php250 each extra person, I said no problem.

We arrive at Citadella Clubhouse at around 3:40-3:50. There was already a lot of people inside. We registered as 3 groups and paid 2 extra persons for the first group. The 3rd group decided that they will not avail of the extra person anymore. So we paid Php500.

Stub # 44-46 + 2 extra persons

 We are seated at the corner where the sun is glaring and I guess because the clubhouse is overflowing with people, the air-condition units are struggling to keep the hall cold enough. Getting food is by stub number. The buffet spread is positioned in an L-shape where one person will get from the right side then the other person will get from the left side. Extra person can get food from left to right. When it was our turn to get food, there's a couple of chaffing dish that are empty already. J asked one of the servers if he can go back once the chaffing dish are filled again. This server replied "yes, balik kayo next Sunday". @@ Aside from a lot of food running out, servings are so tiny. We never even get the chance to try the 1 dessert offered during that FT.

What was left on the left side of the buffet

the VERY SAD plate of one of my companions.
that's what's left on the right part of the buffet

the sad and untidy looking cream of pumpkin soup
(this is exactly how we got it from the buffet table)

To be fair, the food is not really bad. I particularly like the lengua, sotanghon, lasagna, chicken flambe (just the sauce and ham since I didn't get the chance to taste the chicken), roasted pork and mashed potato. But I really got disappointed with how our FT turned out.

We still waited for Michelle and discuss the packages. I found out they had price increase the day before the FT but it's only minimal (Php10 per package). I asked if we can try other dishes and she said what they offer in their weekly FT are fixed and doesn't change. She said they hold FT not to showcase their set up and different food offerings but to let guests taste their dishes. We are particularly eyeing the Diamond package and I asked about the other menus. She said we can arrange for a special FT where they will serve what I want to try but we have to pay for it and minimum is Php5,000 depending on the menu, good side is it's good for 10 persons.

QLD sadly doesn't get the vote of my companions, including J. But I want to give them a try again. Probably we will go to there an hour earlier to get the earliest slot and so we can try all the dishes on a decent serving. I was talking to a fellow W@W (hi sis Marriane!) and she said the couple on their table also paid for extra persons and since they are early, they get to try all the food and servings are big.

For now, still on the look out for other caterers.

Food Tasting #2: Hizon's

I received a couple of invites from Hizon's for their food tasting but it's either the venue is too far or my schedule wouldn't permit it. So good thing, their latest food tasting was held at Fernbrook Gardens in Alabang. So yesterday, me and J were able to attend their food tasting. My sister and my cousin accompanied us because my sister is also in search of her debut caterer. J coordinated with them while I was in Oz and he scheduled us for 10 am. A little early but I'm glad he pick the earliest slot as there's a few couples there yet and the food is still untouched.

Our AE is Maricar and I appreciate that she leaves us alone and just came back when we're done eating. That way, we were able to discuss the food presentation and taste without worrying that we might offend someone.

All the food during the food tasting are for the Php1190 package. We are actually considering the Php990 package but when we take a closer look with the inclusions, Php1190 is sulit na din.

J particularly like the Napoleon Chairs. J's only concern are the chairs, really. Remember what he really wants are tiffany chairs and not just the ordinary ones covered with white cloth. Kidding aside, he is more meticulous than me in terms of the taste and presentation.

Dessert Buffet Set-Up

Buffet Set-Up

Carving Station 

Chocolate Fountain

Salad Bar

Fruits and Choco Dippings

Pasta Bar

Quesadilla Bar (add-on Php80/head)

The dessert bar is for display only because they will be serving you pre-picked dessert selections. Now for the food tasting proper: For the scores/ranks, I based it on the number of votes it got from the 4 of us who taste it.

Top R (Clockwise): Tomato Mozzarella, Caramelized Onion with Cheese, Tempura Rolls (spoon), Bruschetta Al Fungi, Crispy Beef Spring Roll (spoon)

Tomato Mozzarella : 2/4

I actually can't remember its taste anymore

Caramelized Onion with Cheese: 4/4

Super Yummy! The onions are cooked so well and it complements the flavor of the cheese they've used

Tempura Rolls: 4/4

Everyone loved this. I would prefer it spicier but nonetheless its good

Bruschetta Al Fungi: 2/4

J loved this but I really can't get over the yumminess of the Caramelized Onions with Cheese so this is just so-so for me

Crispy Beef Spring Roll: 2/4

A little bit sweeter than I expected. Plus the roll's cold so medyo masebo yung after taste nya

L-R: Truffled Four Mushroom, Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Truffled Four Mushroom Soup: 2/4

Votes are divided for the soup because me and my sister loved the Mushroom one but J and my cousin liked the Pumpkin soup better. This tasted like butter with bits of mushroom and a hint of truffle taste.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup: 2/4

Again, the score is tie because the soups got 2 votes each from us. I don't like it that much because it has a sour after taste but the guys liked it.

*would have been better if the soups are served hot.

L-R: Peach Mango Salad, Grilled Vegetable Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Peach Mango Salad: 3/4

I love Mango and Peach and Peach Mango, too but sadly I don't like this salad this much. I find it too sweet for a salad.

Grilled Vegetable Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette: 4/4

Just the fact that my sister was able to eat them considering it's vegetables are good points already. :) I love the taste of the grilled veggies with its dressing.

Bottom (clockwise): Baked Fish Stuffed with Spinach, Chicken Sambal in Prawn Sauce, Thrice Cooked Pork Belly with Mango Cucumber Salsa, Roast US Beef with Mushroom Gravy, Pork Salpicao with Grilled Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes, Beef Teppanyaki

Same as above but with Crispy Beef Rice

Baked Fish Stuffed with Spinach: 4/4

This is the bomb. It was so good I have to ask for J's share. Haha

Chicken Sambal: 1/4

The chicken is tough and the breading is so thick. The sauce is not that good, too

Thrice Cooked Pork Belly: 3/4

I didn't like it because the part that I got was not crispy anymore but they said their part is crispy

Roast US Beef: 2/4

My cousin said he prefers the Hickory Barbeque Sauce better than the Mushroom Gravy. It's really not that tender and the taste is just so-so

Pork Salpicao: 4/4

We love the Salpicao because it's tasty and the vegetables are good and the mashed potato are so yummy

Beef Teppanyaki: 2/4

Just your ordinary Teppan imho

Crispy Beef Rice: 3/4

I would prefer it to be hot rather than cold. Good thing, it's tasty.

Beef & Chicken Quesadilla
Sauce: Salsa, Garlic Sauce and Cream Cheese

Beef Quesadilla: 1/4

The smell of the spices are too overpowering and overwhelming

Chicken Quesadilla: 3/4

We prefer this more because it is milder and it has veggies on it so hindi umay

Carbonara

Puttanesca

Carbonara: 4/4

We're biased coz we loved Carbonara. But actually it is really good. It has flavors and not just the typical bland carbonara in a buffet spread

Puttanesca: 2/4

I don't like it because as I've said I am a Carbonara fanatic. Also, the olives here are too overpowering.

Bottom L (clockwise): Mango Pavlova, Sunken Island with Vanilla Creme, Red Velvet Cheesecake (center), Flourless Chocolate Cake

Mango Pavlova: 2/4

It's foamy and not too sweet

Sunken Island: 4/4

a.k.a Merengue

Red Velvet Cheesecake: 2/4

I am biased coz I love cheesecakes

Flourless Chocolate Cake: 4/4

It is chocolate-y and rich in flavor

We are actually considering Hizon's already. But it's too early to tell. I don't want the "what if" feelings so we'll try a couple more caterers for comparison. 

Disclaimer: I am not a food critic. :) Just someone who loves food.

Food Tasting #1: Quido's

I bumped into Quido's sa Girltalk. Upon checking their packages, I must say they are one of the cheapest. I search reviews about them and all are good naman. Plus factor is that their chairs are already tiffany at no ADDITIONAL cost (maximum of 150 pax). Eh non-negotiable ni J ang tiffany chairs. So I emailed Ms. Gina and scheduled a food tasting.

It happened yesterday at the Madrigal Gallery beside ATC. When we arrived, they are still prepping the area and there's another group doing their food tasting too. Wendy assisted me and showed me around.

Presidential Table Set-up

Couple's Backdrop

Buffet Set-up

Table Set-up

Wendy said the couple availed the Standard Package. So the above photos are all included in their basic styling. She said they only have one color for the table cloth (for the round ones) which is cream but they have vast collection of colors for the table runners. Plus they don't limit the number of persons for the VIP table. Some caterers kase usually have maximum allowable number.

J's concern is that the tiffany chairs (of course!) looks worn out na. If you are not maselan, ok naman yung chairs nila. It's just that J really wanted tiffany chairs so I think yun talaga yung pinansin nya. My cousin who accompanied us said she thinks the set-up looks plain and basic. Well, basic/standard package naman kase 'to. Wendy said I can show them my peg and they can try to replicate it. And if premium package naman yung iaavail, there are pricier flowers to choose from din.

Now for the food tasting part, we were ushered to a table outside the venue. When we arrived, they asked kung ilan daw kami. There were 3 iced teas, 3 waters & 3 salad on the table but when the plated food was presented by the head chef, it was only for 2 persons. I thought they made a mistake but 2 lang talaga yung sinerve although the other group na nagfofood tasting din (4 pax) have plates each. Nahiya lang ako sa cousin ko kase I invited her for her opinion. But partly, it's my fault na din 'coz I didn't confirm kung ilan kami. She did not asked din naman kase kaya I thought they're not strict sa number of pax. We ended up sharing a plate.

Salad/Appetizer

Reminds me of Wendy's salad because of the jelly. Taste wise, OK naman. Typical garden salad with lettuce, corn, cheese, cucumber and thousand island dressing.

Clockwise starting from Pasta: Fettuccine Carbonara, Roast Beef, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Fish Fillet with Sweet n' Sour Sauce, Buttered Veggies 

Mixed reviews kami for the pasta. We all love carbonara so excited kaming tatlo to taste this. J and my cousin think its bland. For me naman, sakto lang sya. Not dry, not runny din naman. Pasta is not overcooked. Yun lang, sabi nila matabang daw.

Next is the Roast Beef. Malambot yung karne and malasa naman. OK din yung serving size nya. Pasado sya samin tatlo.

For the Chicken Cordon Bleu, favorite din namin ang Cordon Bleu but this one's different. The usual Cordon Bleu that we know and make is chicken with ham and cheese inside. But their version has ham and peppers that changed the flavors (in an interesting twist). I loved peppers so OK sakin that I can taste the peppers in every bite. OK din sya for J but my picky cousin (haha!) said so-so lang sya.

We would prefer our fish fillet to be served with tartar or ranch sauce so hindi namin masyado naappreciate yung dish. Although the chef said they have other sauces to choose from naman. Sauce aside, hindi malansa yung fillet and hindi oily although hindi nadin sya crunchy maybe because nababad na sya sa sauce.

Buttered Veggies. Medyo hindi sya masayang tingnan and hindi din crunchy yung veggies. Plus, meron syang kalabasa which is unusual. I did not finish it but J did. He said so-so lang yung dish. If we ever get Quido's, I would get a different veggie dish.

I did not eat the rice (diet lang,haha!) but it looks masarap naman. Hindi mukha yung mura bigas lang.

Mango Jelly

Standard package offer 1 dessert only. Good thing, 3 Mango Jelly naman yung binigay samin. We often make Mango Sago (almost same with Mango Jelly but with Sago) at home and it wouldn't last long so we're excited to try this. Unfortunately, its not that cold when they served it. But taste wise, ok naman sya. Not too matamis, not matabang naman. Meron nga lang mga mango na maasim pa (not their fault naman). Serving wise, medyo maliit yung shot glass nila. I forgot to ask if my guests can go back for more desserts.

Quido's is still on our list but we are not booking them yet. We'll schedule food tasting with other caterers muna before we decide.

Quido's Catering
Ms. Gina Napolis 0917-5747202
http://www.quidosgrill.com/index.html