Paseo Uno foie gras buffet

Posted December 10, 2009

There are many ways to serve foie gras. Whether it’s smoked, pan-fried, poached, grilled – this revered French delicacy has always been equated to opulent dining. It can be daunting to figure out how to select a good foie gras dish.

For those who haven’t figured out which course of this fatty duck liver suits their palate, a good place to start would be at the Mandarin Oriental’s Paseo Uno restaurant, which recently introduced a duck liver specialty station. Paseo Uno’s three foie gras courses are part of the restaurant’s latest offering – the Luxury Buffet, which will be offered every Friday and Saturday evening, starting December 4.

Initially, the Luxury Buffet will include three foie gras dishes: two as appetizers and one as the main course. For starters, guests may sample the all-too-common smoked foie gras – creamy and sweet duck liver pate. The foie gras crème brulee, on the other hand, may not be an elaborate special appetizer but its watery texture and a salty aftertaste make an interesting twist to the crème brulee one is used to. For the main course, guests may try the pan-fried foie gras in the live station, which is accompanied by a set of condiments that include sweet cherry mustard, mustard fruits, mango salsa, onion marmalade and balsamic vinegar. (Mandarin Oriental’s executive chef Rene Ottlik said foie gras is best paired with sweet condiments, like chutney and marmalade, and is best washed down with a fruity white (not red) wine).

The duck liver is supplied by Rougie, the largest supplier of foie gras and duck liver in France, and one of the world’s biggest supplier to hotels and restaurants.

The Luxury Buffet at Paseo Uno also includes, among others, US Rib eye, whole baked salmon, and a variety of oysters and lobsters. The Luxury Buffet is priced at Php1,627+++. Reservations are recommended for Paseo Uno’s Luxury Buffet. For more information, call Paseo Uno at (632) 750-8888.

Junkisei Prime

Posted November 20, 2009

Affordable luxury seems to be a big word these days. Kose, the Japanese cosmetics and skincare company that carries luxury beauty brands such as Sekkisei and Awake, is bringing to the Philippines a skincare range that sells at a fraction of a price of Kose’s popular high end lines. Junkisei Prime is a line of skincare and makeup products specially designed for dry skin. It’s made from Oriental ingredients (extracts of tree peony, rooibos, echinacea, rehmanniae, and rosehip oil) and formulated using Western techniques. In a product demo by Kose’s regional managers for Asia, the two key techniques in the formulation - speedy delivery capsule and deep delivery capsule - make sure that the ingredients are absorbed well in the skin and replenish the skin’s moisture.

The Junkisei line consists of Oil Cleansing (makeup remover) (PHP395), Cream Wash (Php495), Lotion (water-based) (Php695), Mask (Php595), Milky Lotion (Php695), and Day/Night Cream (Php895). The line also includes a base makeup foundation but it will only be made available in the Philippines next year.

Junkisei Prime is available in Rustan’s Department Store Makati.