THE TENTH BITE: SALVATORE CUOMO AND BAR, NOW IN MANILA!

       Even though I've been a food blogger for more than 6 years now, It's still not every day I get  to meete a celebrity chef in the international scene. I was ecstatic when I found out that THE Chef Salvatore Cuomo, the man behind Salvatore Cuomo and Bar was visiting the country to oversee the opening of the latest branch of his Italian restaurant empire that has taken Japan by storm.

    The Pickiest Eater in The World and Muvo Media presents, The Tenth Bite: Salvatore Cuomo and Bar, Now in Manila! 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PAPARAZZI AT EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL

           My appreciation for Italian cuisine has grown over the course of my being a blogger. Being hyper acidic, I would normally associate tomato, my number one enemy, with Italian Food. Think about it. The most recognized dishes from Italy - Pizza, Spaghetti. Lasagna - the basic ingredient when traditionally done is tomato. 

       However, I discovered that as I continued my relentless exploration of Italian Dishes, their cuisine is incredibly versatile. There are so many other entrees that aren't heavy handed with the tomato sauce, and they taste remarkable. 

      Rina and I were invited to dine at Paparazzi one evening for a romantic dinner, and I was surprised to find that in our entire five course meal, there was only one dish that utilized tomato in it.

    With Italian Chef Marco Ghezzi at the helm, it's no wonder that Paparazzi is perhaps the closest to Italy as you can get here in the Philippines. 

MAGNIFICO! LINGUINI FINI AT SM MEGAMALL

                When I was young, whenever people would ask me what my favorite food was, I was quick to answer, "Italian". Funnily enough, my claim was largely influenced by my favorite cartoon character, "Garfield", and his love for Lasagna. Truth be told, the only three Italian dishes I knew were Spaghetti, Pizza and Lasagna. I had yet to understand the gastronomic wonders of a creamy Risotto. Never had I experienced that immeasurable joy you get in every bite of crispy Porchetta.    

           As I got older and my aversion to tomato based dishes became stronger, I slowly strayed away from my "first love". Lasagna would be something I would have during family dinners, and I pretty much considered Pizza and Spaghetti as American fare than Italian. 

          It took a stroll down to Linguini Fini, the newly opened restaurant at SM Mega Fashion Hall to reawaken my senses to the awesomeness that is Italian cuisine. 

          And you know what they say.. First love never dies.

          

          Especially when it's covered in cheese.

WHODUNNIT?! MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT AT EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL!

         Imagine you're at a snazzy Italian restaurant in a Five Star Hotel, expecting to eat a fancy four course meal prepared by an illustrious chef. As you share a conversation with your companion, while waiting for your appetizer to be served, a detective walks in and introduces himself to the entire room. 

    Why is he here, you wonder? Something must be definitely amiss. Save for the man who obviously had too much to drink and is now "napping" at the Poker Table at the center of the room without a care in the world, this restaurant or should I say.. "Casino", nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.  

      After surveying the room while asking the guests a few questions, the detective reveals the truth. 

     The man sprawled across the porker table counter isn't drunk. He's dead. 

And so began the first act of Casino Fatale: Edsa Shangri-la's Murder Mystery Dinner.