SOCO (6-Course Dinner)

As I type, I’m dripping with sweat because I started brisk-walking around the village as part of my new fitness regimen.  My doctor insisted that although diet is the primary concern, lack of exercise is just as dangerous as eating bad.  Why am I sharing this?  Because this is a long-delayed post, this dinner happened March 26, 2010, when my friends and I decided to try this 6-course dinner by SOCO: Private Dining By Reservation (it’s in San Antonio Village in Pasig).

I hardly get to indulge in dinners like this.  The last time I think was when we did an 8-course dinner in Chef Laudico’s house way back in 2004.  The reason I brought up my fitness regimen is that just when I fell in love with dinners like this, suddenly, everything is bawal.  So I don’t know when I’ll get to partake of such a banquet again.  I guess I’d have to get used to my usual plateful of tears instead.  Anyway, we chose the SOCO Tasting Menu #1.

Cocktails

Baked Brie in Phyllo with Raspberries

This was DEEELICIOUS.  I felt a bit guilty because it was on the sweet side of the spectrum.  If not for the equal amount of saltiness, I would have mistaken this for dessert.

Dinner Proper

Tuscan Mushroom Salad: Pan-Seared Foie Gras on Carpaccio of Tuscan Mushrooms topped with Raclette Cheese and served with Chive Cream Dressing, Chopped Tomatoes and Edible Flowers.

Hands-down my favorite of the 6 courses.  Absolutely scrumptious!  The combination of the Foie Gras and Raclette had my toes curling.  It was hard to top this one.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Goat Cheese Whipped Cream

I’m not a big fan of pumpkin soup, so I’m not the best person to judge this.  My niece makes a killer pumpkin soup, but I’m really just not into it.  But based on the other pumpkin soups I’ve tasted, this one’s definitely one of the better ones.

Tiger Prawns on a pool of Squid Ink Sauce topped with Chorizo Fritto and Paella-flavored Risotto

Being a big seafood eater, I gobbled this up with much regret, because I was so patay-gutom that I think I didn’t give it the proper respect by eating it slowly, appreciating the fine flavors that went into it.  My mind just saw: “FOOD!” and ate every last morsel.  The squid ink on the side was a nice touch.  I’d slide my prawn over it before popping it into my mouth and it gave the dish a nice twist.

Snake River Farms’ US Wagyu Flat Iron Steaks with Garlic Potato Puree and Bacon-wrapped Asparagus

Again, I’m not a big fan of steaks in general.  Even as a kid, I wasn’t really into slabs of beef on my plate.  I’m not a big chewer (I know, unhealthy), so unless the meat is EXTRA tender, I tend to chew a bit, then gag on the juice-less meat.  But this one was definitely tender, and I enjoyed it a lot.  I loved the prawns more, but this wasn’t bad at all.  And to think we’ve gone through 4 courses before this, and yet I ate every last bit.

Chocolate Souffle topped with White Chocolate Shavings served with Vanilla Bean Sauce

I was SUPPOSED to skip the dessert.  But when it came out, how could I not venture even a little taste?  Well, the “litlle taste” translated to eating half of this blissful experience.  It was so sinfully good.  I was glad we had coffee to balance out the sweetness.  Of course a flood of guilt ensued once I put the chocolate-stained teaspoon down…

Overall, we were so happy that we swore to make this a regular hobby.  My friend Lennie is such a Foodie that she has a couple more Private Dining restos lined up already.  The price range is a bit steep though.  But I felt that it was money well-spent.  It’s such a luxurious gastronomic experience.  It’s like being spoiled rotten through food.  Good luck to me given my new stringent diet, but I guess I can treat myself every now and then to nights like these filled with good food, great company, and some food photography.

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