There used to be a time when I was more spontaneous and loved surprises.
But at 31, not anymore.
Except of course when it comes to food, then I am still all game and spunky.
So imagine my excitement when the big night finally arrives.
Pinoy Eats World’s Guerilla Dinner 7. Surprise, surprise!
Meeting time and place is 7pm, Manila Polo Club lobby.
I drag my cousin Frances and good friend Jerms.
And wear my pointy-toe black patent heels.
And then I overhear someone say we’re walking to Greenbelt.
Oh dear God, please be kind to my feet!
Almost immediately my prayer is answered as we arrive a few seconds later at
tonight’s dinner venue
Last Chukker
The main dining room
BUT we are dining under the stars tonight ★
Everyone gets seated as I make my way slowly to the table, struggling to keep the earth from swallowing my heels. Tip toe. Tip toe.
Hi J-Lab! Hi Sanj!
Welcome message and introductions
Tonight’s menu clue card. I’m embarrassed to say I’m not able to guess any. 
And no wonder. Because back in the 90s when Namee was being chased by Kapampangan boys and JJ was dating girls at Vanna’s restaurants, I was being the geeky fat kid who played jackstones all day and ate two fillet-o-fishes and a milkshake each meal. (Me in 2011: still a fat kid, still eat two fillet-o-fishes, but now I have chocolate sundae instead of milkshake)
Fat kid with THE JJ Yulo
So you see, I am totally clueless.
Clue: "There's Something Fishy"
Bagna càuda, salami, crudités. A delicious way to eat your veggies.
Looks so much prettier on my plate
Clue: "HAY Naku"
Watercress, quesong puti, potato hay, raspberry vinaigrette
Me loves potato hays
Clue: "The Anti Romance Special"
Squid ink pasta, squid rings, garlic slivers, basil. Nice and tangy.
Clue: "Meltdown"
Spinach linguine, pancetta, mushrooms, tomato, mozzarella. This is MAJOR comfort food.
Parmesan bread
Clue: "Pinison na Nokma"
Wood-fired chicken cooked under a brick. I tell you, you gotta eat the skin.
Clue: "Season’s Best"
Ribeye steak, sage butter. The taste is OMGperfect. Now if only the steak were medium rare…
Roasted potato wedge with rosemary
Potato risotto
Decadent chocolate cake with caramel sauce
Namee and JJ trying to look as sultry as the pizza
Clue: "Vanna Vanna Bobanna"
Nutella, bananas, rocky road wedges, parmesan, mozzarella. I am in love with anything and everything nutella.
Mangoes and cream pizza
Our end of the table
(Patient peoples, lighting directors… Sorry! Thank you! I love you!)
The other (and luckier) end of the table
Happy Birthday, Vince! Happy Anniversary, Mench and Gabby!
Little surprises for the celebrants
Pinoy Eats World team and PEWkers with tonight’s featured chef, Vanna Calalang Severino
As I wipe off the soil from my shoes that night, I reminisce about the food, the people, the conversations (about food), and I smile.
Yes, this is what life is all about.
Pinoy Eats World: Contact JJ Yulo at jjyulo@pinoyeatsworld.com or +639175301160
