Lolo Dad’s Cafe

Heart2Heart was so happy to be back at Lolo Dad’s!  The last time I was here was maybe 10 years or so when it was relatively new.  They were one of the first ones to introduce sea bass in the Philippines!  

They have now expanded their dining area and can now serve up to 50 people

 Thank you Ding Ayuyao and Teddy Montelibano for inviting us to have dinner at Lolo Dad’s!

A cute story from Mia Ayuyao.  Mia used to work for my Mom in Bon Apetit Patisserie and Cafe! 🙂  She helped my Mom put up the cafe in the Shangri-la Mall

And we are truly honored to have been able to taste a meal prepared by Chef Ariel Manuel who is truly truly amazing!!!!  This is our first time to have this experience.  The last time I saw Chef Ariel was when Chef Jay Gamboa invited us to the Final Practice of the Culinary Team in 2009 and at that time the food was prepared by the team

Previous entry:  Culinary Team Pilipinas 2009 – Final Practice May 3, 2009

If we go all the way to Antonio’s, Quirino Highway is not too far away and believe me it is worth the trip!  Chef Tonyboy Escalante of Antonios and Chef Ariel both came from the Tivoli – which is no surprise why I like them both – Tivoli is one of my favorite restaurants!  

I love watching the Chef in action – who by the way is so soft spoken, so simple and so humble!!

I love samplers!!!  This is how I like to eat – a little of everything!  I cannot eat one dish the whole meal, I prefer having a little bite of everything and this is what Chef Ariel prepared for our appetizer.  Lolo Dad’s is also known for Foie Gras – and foie gras is an exception, I can have a dish of Foie gras and finish it all 🙂

 Which explains why I liked this dish too!! SUPER YUM!!!  Baked Oysters on Angel Hair pasta with slivers of seared duck foie gras

A little cup of soup before the main course

 And some sorbet in this cute little teapot

Watching Chef Ariel again 🙂  He is making our special lobster gratin dish which is new on the menu.  I asked Chef Ariel who the young chefs were and from where they are – he said that they were interning at his restaurant.  I told him how lucky they are to be trained under him!! And being the humble guy that he is, he told me, I can only offer them a free meal!!  My gosh! I told Chef that they are benefitting so much and learning so much from him and that it is worth much more than any free meal or any monetary value!  Heart2Heart loves chefs that share their talent with others 🙂  Thank you Chef Ariel!

And here is our lobster!! Wow!! This was really good!! Thank you Chef Ariel!

Teddy told me that Chef Ariel had no formal schooling for cooking.  His dad made him take architecture which explains the colors and the height in his cooking 🙂  

All angles of this delicious creature 🙂  We kept turning around the plate to see what angle would be good for the photo

Gratinated Lobser with Mushroom and Mustard Sauce

Sauteed Jumbo Scallops and Tiger Prawns

Confit of Kurobota Pork Belly as recommened by Chef Ariel – so James ordered this

Herb de Provence Crusted Rack of Lamb Three Cheese Risotto – YUMMY!! This was mine!  

White Chocolate and Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries

Frozen Mango Terrine

Love love samplers!!  Sampler of Chocolates!

I heard from Teddy that this tasting menu was fantastic!  They have tasting menus every now and then

Heart2Heart loves this place!!!

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