NEVER ENOUGH of VAN 2

This post does not bear any reference to the hit song from the film The Greatest Showman. Let me put it out there as it might be cause for intellectual property rights issues. But when you have eight hungry, zany friends who are lumped together in an out of town adventure a full day of travelling  and having fun really is... never enough!

embotido

suman sa lihiya

We decided to meet on a Tuesday evening at Cafe Adriatico to have dinner and exchange stories of places and events, the weather and showbiz, ghost stories and entities. Politics? Maybe just a little... And in all of those topics there was one common unifying thread. Laughter! I agreed to join them as it was close to where I live and the food is/was always a good come on. Despite the slight rain, the group converged on the original Cafe Adriatico in Remedios Circle and spent most of the evening joking, laughing and telling funny stories.

bacon roullade with veggies

Walnut Praline Cupcake from Becky's Kitchen

I used to frequent the area when I was in grade school visiting the homes of friends and schoolmates to do projects and study. The Cafe Adriatico we know today has undergone a few renovations. Up from the time it used to be a "carinderia" for jeepney and taxi drivers, the place was bought and renovated by journalist turned restaurateur Larry J. Cruz and made it into a classy restaurant serving Spanish/Mediterranean food. It is conveniently located in what was formerly the Designer's Row along Adriatico Street in Malate. Ergo, it attracted well-heeled clients and celebrities who were hungry and needed a place to enjoy a cozy and relaxed ambiance. It was closed for renovation sometime in the nineties due to a fire but was brought back to its former state and service continued until the present.

The eight of us started arriving one by one: Del Nuqui, Lea Amante Villapando, Lloyd Anthony Nuestro Rafols, Erlie Querubin, Febe Sevilla, Ness Sembrero, myself and host Ace Burwell came one after another from different points of Manila. Missing were Faviola Torres Hidalgo and Anette Roldan who couldn't make it due to the rains and other personal concerns. The evening got crazier as the food started to arrive. Yes, we were all hungry! Roullade  of Bacon, Embotido, Greens Salad, Mushroom and Cheese Sandwich, Arroz ala Cubana, Seafood Linguine, arrived at our table steaming hot with cold slushies of avocado, and lychee and soda to quench our thirst.

Arroz ala Cubana

Cream of Mushroom soup

All these were devoured with gusto nearly forgetting to say grace but we made up for it when someone instantly led the prayer. I actually prayed by myself ahead of everyone else but joined in with them. Ace was the resident comedian for the evening, talking to his imaginary spoiled son (name withheld please) every time he makes an "aside". And because of this imaginary son... the conversation turned towards the esoteric: ghost apparitions and hauntings, headless photos captured on cellular phone cameras, entities and creepy places. It didn't help when I told them that Remedios Circle was once a public cemetery and that there were Irish priests who died in Malate Church and the Catholic School. Nary a trace of it now... except for the extremely sensitive! The food was just too good... who cares about ghosts?

Mushroom and Cheese Melt Sandwich

Ace's presents

It was a Tuesday evening so there wasn't much attraction for people watching when towards the end of our dinner, actor Ronnie Lazaro walks in with his group of friends. That was it for the evening! Ness brought a box of Walnut Praline Cupcakes from Becky's Kitchen which she served for dessert. But Ace had ordered Suman sa Lihiya. Oh no, double the sugar! More laughter and jokes and then we realized it was half past ten! Cafe Adriatico's gracious waiters are so well trained. I'm glad they didn't kick us out! Shall we do it again? Surely!!!