7:30pm. The celebrant is already here when we arrive. He comes early to beat the December traffic and is patiently killing time playing games on his iPad.
7:46pm. As usual, we are one of the earliest to arrive. Too excited to eat. All the time.
7:49pm. I attack this bowl of peanuts. The first bowl of many.
8:08pm. Hungry, I order some Asado Tarts. Hot and flaky.
And then I stuff myself with some more peanuts.
8:42pm. Finally, the room is starting to fill up and we start the feast with a plate of Assorted Appetizers consisting of salad seafood roll (delicious), jellyfish (not too good), chicken lollipop (too sweet), some egg dish (lacks punch), and hot prawn salad (just ok)
8:58pm. Birthday noodles with assorted seafood – noodles are too soft, sauce needs more flavor
9:03pm. Steamed suahe – fresh and sweet
9:14pm. Double boiled winter melon soup with fish maw – pretty good
9:21pm. Peking ducks!
9:26pm. Hainanese chicken – not as tasty as the last time
9:35pm. The murdered duck finally arrives. The skin is not as crisp as I like, the meat could be softer, and the waiter needs to practice his knife skills more.
9:43pm. Steamed razor clams – could be great if the clams actually had some meat in them
9:48pm. Steamed garoupa – overcooked
9:49pm. Laksa – delicious but I’m already too full from all the peanuts
9:55pm. Garlic fried crab – plump and juicy
9:58pm. Minced duck and lettuce leaf
10:31pm. Coconut sesame balls and green tea jelly
11:09pm. The cakes! Clockwise from top left: Sugarhouse French Apple Pie,
Sugarhouse Almond Sans Rival, Cara Mia Tentazione, Dezato Chocolate Cake,
Café Ysabel Chocolate Ganache (?), and FIC Pistachio ice cream at the center
11:16pm. The Chiang Family
The holiday-themed party favors
11:40pm. With the glowing celebrant. I mean literally, around the head. Hihihi.
Happy Birthday, Uncle Rolly!
Tao Yuan Restaurant: 508-512 General Malvar Street corner A. Mabini Street, Malate, Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632-5227009 to 10
