Re-Interpreting Filipino Cuisine's Colorful Palette at Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors

Discovery Country Suites' culinary team, led by Chefs Anthony Raymond and Rhea Sycip, in collaboration with noted culinary authority and the "Adobo Queen" herself, Ms. Nancy Reyes-Lumen along with Chef Jaja Andal, join forces for a creative and colorful re-interpretation of Filipino cuisine at Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors. Drawing inspiration from Tagaytay's colorful landscape and the recently held charity dinner of Chef Sau del Rosario, prepare for a colorful and sumptuous lunch buffet of local flavors with a Feast of Colors on August 13 and 14, 2016 at Discovery Country Suites'Restaurant Verbena. Take a colorful peek at the upcoming Feast of Colors at Restaurant Verbena...

Our special preview for Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors started early, with a morning meet-up at Discovery Primea's Gilarmi Lounge (more on the Gilarmi Lounge on my earlier post, A Cool Vibe at Gilarmi Lounge). A freshly brewed cup of Cafe Mocha sets me on the right track, served with the signature courteous service by the staff.

The early morning leisurely drive to Tagaytay was unusually fast without the normal traffic, and we arrived way ahead of time at Discovery Country Suites and the rustic and cozy Restaurant Verbena (for more on Restaurant Verbena, see my previous post, Brunch with a View at Restaurant Verbena).

Upon arrival at Discovery Country Suites (for more on Discovery Country Suites, check out my post on my other travel blog, Home at Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay), we were served a refreshing Watermelon and Basil Smoothie, a prelude to the colorful feast.

From starters to mains and desserts, the specially curated menu for Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors takes Filipino cuisine to a higher, more colorful level, reflecting the innovative and collaborative output of the four chefs. At Restaurant Verbena, the staff prepared the final touches for the special lunch preview.

Taking a quick break from the kitchen, the collaborative team head out to welcome guests for the special preview, as (L-R) Chef Jaja Andal, Ms. Nancy Reyes-Lumen, Chef Rhea Sycip and Chef Anthony Raymond engage in a quick and casual chat, promising a unique and memorable dining experience with their inventive take on local cuisine. Sourcing the freshest and finest local ingredients from Tagaytay, Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors adds that final layer of memorable experience to thread your stay or visit at Discovery Country Suites. Then, the team heads back to the kitchen to prepare the curated menu for the special lunch preview...

The buffet spread was then set-up, showcasing the various dishes fresh from the kitchen, with starters like Chef Jaja Andal's Talangka Pate, with the vibrant colors of river crab fat topped with cream cheese and fish roe served with crisp crostini...

...and her refreshing Salad with garden-fresh greens and colorful edible flowers from Tagaytay, served with her playfully inventive sweet Passion Fruit or tart Santol dressing. The colorful palette of Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors are slowly revealed with the tasty starters, but there's more... 

Chef Anthony Raymond's Pinoy Baked Rockefeller combines the bright colors and fresh flavors of premium oysters, cheese and local vegetables in another creative spin on a classic. The briny sweetness of the oysters and creamy notes of the cheese come together in a seamless blend, one of the many must-try dishes at Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors.

Chef Jaja Andal's unique and colorful Blue Paella features soft and fluffy rice slowly simmered and infused with local flowers for the distinct blue tint, topped with fresh crab, squid, mussels, green peas, and peppers. In addition to the flower-infused rice for the blue tint, one can also savor the subtle floral and sweet notes for a refreshing take on paella. And it works. Perfectly.

Chef Anthony Raymond's Crispy Whole Lapu-Lapu adds even more colors to the buffet spread at Restaurant Verbana, with its bright red and orange notes serving as a visual cue to the rich flavors of the dish. The delicate notes of the fish are kicked-up a notch by the tartness of the cherry tomatoes, the nutty hints of roasted garlic and clean flavors of the crispy basil leaves. 

Chef Anthony Raymond continues the feast of bright colors with his refreshing take on another regional dish with his Seafood Bicol Express, with fresh clams, mussels, fish, and plump shrimps draped in a creamy sauce with a mildly spicy kick. Freshness is key in this dish, with the clean flavors of the fresh seafood perfectly layered by the comforting Bicol Express sauce. 

Chef Anthony David then served his duo of duck dishes, starting with the Duck Adobo, with tender duck slow-cooked in the aromatic and flavorful adobo sauce with loads of garlic...

...and the colorful Adobong Pato sa Gata at Langkawas, with tender cuts of duck simmered in coconut cream and turmeric for both flavor and color. I've never had duck prepared this way before, and I have to say, both dishes scored pretty high as I went for seconds. And thirds. And that's what makes Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors special, you get to sample familiar and comforting flavors executed in a fresh and new spin for a different flavor experience.  

The Adobo Queen, Ms. Nancy Reyes-Lumen, served her signature Rodrigo's Roast, recreated from her acclaimed Adobo Book. The tender and juicy pork belly delivers rich flavors, with even more flavors from the lightly charred crust. You'll want another slice of this one. Seriously. For more on Nancy Reyes-Lumen's adobo recipes, see my post on Masflex: Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation for the Love of Cooking).


And here's another favorite from Nancy Reyes-Lumen, the Mechado Paprika, with tender beef simmered in loads of fresh tomatoes for bright, sunny and tart notes. Think of it as your favorite beef mechado, elevated to the next level with the intense and mildly sweet savory notes of fresh tomatoes. It's the kind of comforting flavors you would like to pack in a plastic tub with rice and make short work of it on the drive home. And go ahead, have some extra rice with this one. 

Restaurant Verbena's courteous staff served their signature Cream of Corn Soup, opening up the palate for the vibrant flavors of the buffet preview. Then, it was time to pick up a plate and hit the buffet spread...

After a heaping serving of Chef Jaja Andal's salad with both the Passion Fruit and Santol dressing, and one too many servings of the Talangka Pate, it was time to build my own palette of vibrant colors with the various dishes served at Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors. Seconds? Absolutely.

The rustic and cozy interiors of Discovery Country Suites' Restaurant Verbena added to the dining experience, as guests relished the various dishes prepared by the collaborative team. The chefs also joined us for lunch, with Ms. Nancy Reyes-Lumen engaging us with her colorful stories on food...

...and there's just nothing quite like lunch with a view overlooking Taal Lake. Despite the grey overcast skies from the morning rain, the vibrant hues of Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors added its own blazing palette of flavorful shades matched by equally vibrant flavors for another memorable dining experience at Discovery Country Suites.

Discovery Country Suites' Resident Manager and Pastry Chef Rhea Sycip completes our Feast of Colors with her own inventive desserts, starting with her moist Amadeo Muffins blending the richness of chocolate with the bold notes of the local coffee...

...followed by her indulgent Langka Queso de Bola Cheesecake, with the sharpness of the cheese balanced by the sweetness of the fresh jackfruit. Just like the refreshing starters and savory mains, the desserts reflect the richness and diversity of Tagaytay's local produce, masterfully executed by Discovery Country Suites' culinary team and guest chefs.

But save room for even more indulgent desserts, like Chef Rhea Sycip's creamy Avocado Sponge Cake topped with pistachios, a personal favorite...

...and the Ube Halaya Chiffon Cake Shooters, topped with colorful flower petals. It's a colorful end to a colorful feast. Restaurant Verbena's Feast of Colors weekend lunch buffet is available August 13 and 14, 2016, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, priced at P 1,200 net per person, in partnership with Masflex cookware and kitchenware. Plan your escape from the metro and head over to Tagaytay for a sumptuous Feast of Colors, only at Discovery Country Suites.