World Class Chefs
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Ramilo (Ram) Villaluna
Ram is a budding chef from Iloilo City (Molo). He gained his training in Culinary Arts at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies under food guru Gene Gonzalez, Institute of Culinary Education (formerly Peter Kumpps) in New York. He took up bread making, and he studied food styling under Delores Custer of the Culinary Institute of America. It all started in Antique where his father owned a restaurant many Antiquenos learned to love. He continued the culinary legacy of his father and now, Ram owns a catering business, Cindy\'s Catering. Food is Ram\'s life, seriously speaking. I am short in saying that he is married to the food industry that, he spends most of his time teaching and mentoring at the Department of Culinary Arts at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo. If one cannot find him in the classroom, Ram will be on the road crisscrossing Iloilo and Antique having first hand in the management of his thriving businesses from both provinces. He also has a once-a-week TV show in GMA 7 \"Food Trip\". I met with Ram once before and he exudes perfectionism, the character that will beam him up to the limelight of culinary arts. At present time, Ram is extremely busy in Manila. I believe he is one of the finalists in The National Food Showdown 2010 sponsored by ABS-CBN. We wish you all the luck, Ram! Maybe, after this showdown, Ram will have the opportunity share favorite recipe here at ILONGGO LIVING.
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Very Pretty (The Mango Tree)
Jauary 31, 2010
My last days with fellow Ilonggo bloggers was bookmarked with an exotic experience at The Mango Tree Bar & Restaurant in Manduriao, Iloilo last night. Actually, Marcos suggested this place as we’re so fed up dining in Smallville. Retrospectively, I considered dining in The Mango Tree a reward after a day long of disappointments with the previous lunch buffet and from bloggers who cancelled out at the last minute. After all, I was with the “bigshots” of the Ilonggo blog world like Marcos (Explore Iloilo), Vince (Explore Aklan) and, Junn (Gigs Ilonggo) to cheer me up. It was a swell night of excellent ambiance, food and just having intellectual conversation with blog buddies. Did I mention that it was an alcohol-free night last night, as well? Check this one out!
We started off with mango salad. Shreaded green mango with loads of spices. Very tangy and refreshing.
Buffalo-style chicken wings. They could have tweaked the flavour a bit with Frank's Hot sauce.
Seafoods paella. Average flavor.
Their specialty, crispy chicken with cream of mushroom. I would say this is very delectable as I'm very familiar with this dish back in Canada.
Sizzling bulalo steak! Surprisingly flavorful.
We had their specialty drink, Mango ice tea.
The adventure begins once one goes inside the bungalow house turned into a restaurant. You will be drawn right away of its floor-to-ceiling glass window welcoming customers to its deep lush garden. The ambiance is very inviting and relaxing. Like one is going in to another world! Very exhilirating!
We were seated just right beside a huge fountain. The trickling sound of water was very relaxing and envigorating at the same time.
We were practically dining under the moonlight (full moon) with cool breeze blowing. The place is named after the huge mango tree situated right in the middle of the garden. The mango tree is lit up with Capiz lanterns appearing like giant fireflies.
Humongous balete trees lined the property, as well, giving a tropical forest ambiance. Here, suspended roots of the balete trees curtain the washroom areas with an outdoor washbasins. What a way to relieve oneself!
The restaurant is well-marked outside so, no problem finding the place. Overall rating: ambiance +++++, food +++, service ++++. Definitely, I highly recommend The Mango Tree Bar & Restaurant. Thanks to my buddy Marcos Caratao, Jr. of Explore Iloilo for recommending this restaurant.
waaaahh
sayang i wasn’t able to go.
it’s in my list of restos to visit pa hehehehe
@Jorp: Ti, hinulsol ka gid. Guinhambalan ta ka gab-i nga piliton mo upod. Kapoy ka siling mo. Mirisi mo gid eh? LOL just kidding! There’s always next time ah…
Hehehe, though gamay lang kaun ko pero for me naka attract gd sakon is the ambiance…Will be trying it out next time again.Glad there is such place here in Iloilo planning to have my wedding reception there.:D hehe