Eskaya Resort & Spa Beckons This Holiday

It was a most enchanting and invigorating experience as Eskaya Resort, one of Bohol’s most exclusive holiday and vacation getaways, opened its doors to the lifestylebohol team of Bohol Chronicle. The boyish- looking and very young resident manager Prof. Andrew Fernandes  warmly welcomed the team to the sprawling property.

 a peek at the villa interiors

 Imagine having your own infinity pool that overlooks the Bohol Sea

After a quick tour and a close look at the villas that have retained the local feel and flavor with their Filipino architectural design and look, we were guided to the Lantawan restaurant where a feast of fresh catch from the sea awaited us. Aside from the kinilaw, stewed and broiled fish, we were also served Filipino faves like kaldereta and bulalo.    

 One gets an unobstructed view of the infinity pool from the restaurant

 Slivers of salmon overload

 Mango Creme Brulee

The rest of the afternoon became a blur as we engaged in casual banter with Prof. Andrew who hails from Pampanga. The young resident manager shared that aside from the exclusivity, tranquility and privacy that the resort offers to the their discriminating clients and guests, his team takes pride in the warmth and sincerity of their customer service which makes a stay at  Eskaya Resort & Spa truly memorable.  

 With the young & astute Eskaya Resident Manager Prof. Andrew Fernandes

all's quiet and serene at the beachfront   

 forest interlude

J. CO is Finally in Bohol!

Finally, J.CO, one of the world’s fastest growing donut & coffee chains is in Bohol! J.CO opened to a huge throng of Boholanos who were eager to sample the delectable donuts and coffee last December 8, Friday at the Island City Mall.

Among the delectable and sinfully sweet J.CO donuts
and coffee with latte art 

Prior to the grand opening, Your Roving Eye, along with a select group from the press and bloggers were invited to the media launch  of J.CO and what fun the group had not only with open bar but with all the fun games and interactive sessions to welcome the highly successful donut chain in the province.

Your Roving Eye with AGC’s amiable and friendly PR guy Ritchel Mutia

  

With fellow bloggers and certified foodies 

J.CO’s creamy & soft donuts are known for their eye- popping and high quality toppings and fillings such as toasted almonds, premium dark and white chocolate and other ingredients.J.CO's donut flavors (over 45 flavors and counting) are either named using eponyms or word plays such as puns. 

 more than 45 flavors

 J Cool  (frozen yoghurt)

 Your Blogger finished off everything

 J Club (donut sandwiches)

 J Pops (mini bite- size donuts)

In fact, their most popular donut flavor, Alcapone, is inspired by most-wanted American gangster Al Capone.  Other bestselling products are their J.CRONUT (croissant donuts), J.POPS (mini bite-size donuts), J.CLUB (donut sandwiches), J.COOL (frozen yogurt), and gourmet selections of savory pastries, sandwiches, and salads.

 with DJ Sean and DJ Noel

 Your Roving Eye with Jofel Nistal, Paulene Quinal- Nistal
and her sister Patrisse

 with J. Co top honchos 

Their J.COFFEE line features a wide variety of coffee beverages ranging from the classics to iced blends.     

  J. Co loot bags for the press who attended the media launch

 J.CO in ICM is the first in Bohol and their 45^th outlet in the Philippines since it entered the country in 2012.

 

 

Bluewater Panglao Hosts Unforgettable Gustatory Experience

A couple of nights ago, Your Roving Eye, along with a select group of lifestyle writers from Cebu and Manila, was  invited by Bluewater Panglao to a Filipino- themed degustation dining experience aptly named “Hayop sa Sarap na Degustation” to kick off the resort’s annual Christmas tradition named “Pasko sa Bluewater”

The eyecatching menu promised a delightful evening ahead

By the way, for those out of the loop, degustation is a French culinary term that refers to sampling an array of small dishes served one after the other. The term also encompasses ideas like savoring of food with all the senses, appreciation of ingredients and the chef’s technical skills and enjoying food with good company. Last Friday’s  degustation involved sampling small portions of some of the featured chef’s signature dishes in one sitting.

Filipino knick knacks for that unique Pinoy Christmas flavor

 great conversation pieces


  

Everyone could feel the coming of the holidays with the very Filipino Christmas decorations and conversational centerpieces that bedecked the dining tables.  The gustatory experience at the resort's Aplaya Restaurant which started promptly at 7 pm was a very creative 12-course Filipino-inspired degustation celebration capped by Pepita’s Lechon de Leche. 

The iconic tartanilla takes the spotlight


 

Dedet  dela Fuente also known by food enthusiasts as the Lechon Diva behind the popular Pepita’s Kitchen in Makati was in her elements that night. Funny, endearing and warm, she welcomed all guests including the top mavens of Bohol’s travel and tours industry by sharing the story behind Pepita’s Kitchen and gave the proper introductions as each dish was served.

 Dedet dela Fuente, The Lechon Diva” shared her passion for food at
the Bluewater Panglao event

We started the whole shebang with a lambanog shot into the martini glass, where it magically melts actual pink cotton candy. It was surprisingly delicious and set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Among the memorable dishes was the Hiplog which combined hipon  (or shrimp) in itlog na maalat (salted egg) sauce. The shrimp is coated with rich crab fat butter and topped with bits from the salted egg. 

 Jo Philipps, Paolo Rigotti and Juriz try their hand in preparing the “Tuslob Buwa”
while Bluewater top honcho Margie Munsayac looks on

Most of the curious guests including yours truly stood up to help prepare the “Tuslob Tuwa” at a cook-it-yourself station near the dining tables.  We also had the “Sipit sa Sarap” , huge crab claws  with aligue sauce.

Before we were treated the ultimate treat, we were served the perfect palate cleansers, refreshing ice candy in ginger and kalamansi flavors that rid traces of the previous dish.

Baked lechon bread becomes hot conversation piece 

Finally,  we were served the “Pepita’s Lechon de Leche”, stuffed with truffle rice and served with divalicious labuyo sauce. The crispy lechon skin is brushed with gold powder and you can’t help but notice the dish has a miniature Philippine flag stuck to it. Well, it is a Philippine pride after all after being awarded in London as “The Tastiest Dish in Asia”

 The Lechon de Leche stuffed with truffle rice 

Because of a prior engagement, I wasn’t able to wait for the dessert. Anyway, there’s plenty of opportunity though for this holiday season, Bluewater Panglao will be showcasing g the best of Filipino culinary treats as well as its array of international cuisine. After all, what is Christmas without the overflowing food and drinks ?

All in all, it was one of the best gustatory experiences I’ve ever had. Good food, delightful company and the most cozy Christmas ambience. The perfect way indeed to kick off the holiday season!

See you at Bluewater Panglao this Christmas!