GASTRONOMY by Joy: Celebrating Dad's Day at The Dining Room, Gourmet Farms

Hey there, my brain needs more juicing up, I've been up and about this whole week preparing for an event which goes with my part time job, so do pardon me for siting someone else's, quote or letter. But I find the words so apt for my husband and maybe your dad, your husband, son or brother, or a friend. If I'm one of his daughter, which he now have three, these could be the same words I could have written for him, but someone wrote it first, hehehe.

"A true father is always there. He is there to spill tears of happiness when his eyes fall upon his infant daughter. He is there with arms to catch her when she takes her first steps or stumbles. He is there to teach her at the youngest age, even though she might not understand half of it. He is there to help her color inside the lines, make her grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, and tie her shoes. He is there to hug her and kiss her on her first days of school, and to walk her in if need be. He is there to teach her and tease her and laugh with her. He is always there to embarrass her, but that’s part of life. He is there to tell her to go ask her mother, when her mother told her to ask him. He is there to lecture her, prepare her for the monster called high school. He is there to put up with her teenage moods and her co-ed relationships. He is there to approve, disapprove, accept and forgive. He is there to give her a big bundle of flowers when she graduates, to smile when her name is called and feel proud. He is there to embrace her and kiss her before she goes to live and learn a thousand miles away. He is there to see her become a workingwoman, to walk her down the aisle (or not, if her independence and stubbornness prevail after all). He is there to watch her grow as the lines on his face grow. He is there to welcome her home, always, and let her hug him and smell the smell she remembers from childhood, the warm, protecting, comforting smell of dad. But most of all, he is always there to love her. And she is always there to love him back. Dad, I love you, happy Father’s Day.”

So to celebrate Dad's day , we brought my sister-in-law and her husband and kid to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's Heritage house in Kawit , Cavite. We actually were there, during the 2012 Independence Day celebration. But we had to let them experience the new Cavitex, an express way connecting lands from Bacoor to Kawit, Cavite, passing miles of bridge over murky sea water, where we get our mussels and oysters. Eventually had them reminiscing their childhood times, because they used to live in Bacoor and their grandparents used to own part of the land and coastal areas of Bacoor for a saltern business.

Then, as promised to my brother-in-law, after the tour inside the mansion of Emilio Aguinaldo, we treated them to an early dinner at The Dining Room at Gourmet Farms.

The Dining Room, nestled along Aguinaldo Highway, you wouldn't miss seeing a peculiar white structure just a few drops at the Gourmet Farms. The domed structure may resemble a Greek taverna or a museum. And it had lived up to my expectations. Inside are captivating paintings of Koi's, plants and lilies. It would seem you walked in an un-roofed museum, The glass windows below the roof invites natural light from the outside making it like an open room (pun intended).

It used to be the Gourmet Cafe which is popular not only for its unique blend of coffee but also for the fresh organic vegetables that were being grown at the back of the café. Soon after, the coffee shop was expanded into a restaurant that became famous for its salads, Italian dishes and specialty sandwiches.

The clean white walls of the room explains the elegance felt once you open the double-leaf white doors. Remove the tables and chairs and it would be mistaken as an art gallery. For now they are carrying the "Ripples and Scents" art exhibit. A natural realism of oil paintings by Angelito "Jo" Florendo.

On the far end of the door, is a stage with a black piano. This piano was one of the original piece in the old Gourmet's restaurant. Last April, when they celebrated their anniversary, Jose Mari Chan performed for the diners on that very stage using this piano.

Their best-selling shake, a signature of The Dining Room, basil and lemon. Make sure you have this for a refreshing start to your meal and an ending one at that.

Coffee aficionados know Gourmet brand coffees by heart. In fact, it was Gourmet that challenged instant coffee drinkers to taste a new and premium brew that is locally planted, harvested and roasted. So why would I not have it here at the center where it started. The full-bodied fresh taste of their coffee comes from premium beans and roasting it properly. I was having a migraine at that time and a good cup of coffee relieved me from it getting worse.

We all raved about their crusty toast, on every sides of our soups. Above is the recommended pumpkin soup. My sis-in-law even ordered more.

A clear-based Mushroom soup. Another tough one to match. A bowl of this is a hearty starter which we all loved even the kids, who were expecting a creamy mushroom bowl.

Daddy's bunso, enjoying a sip of the creamy bright yellow pumpkin soup, which is not oily, salty or sweet. It's a blend of subtle sweetness that you get from boiling the pumpkin, and the right saltiness.

My blue plate, full of Arugula and Mangoes drizzled with their own-made Asian dressing. The vinaigrette is a brown liquid mix of olive oil, sugar, vinegar and aromatic sesame seeds. The what-used-to-be Gourmet Cafe was famous for its fresh picked from their garden veggies. Here the crispy fresh arugula in my dish came from their farm, the Gourmet Farm. Let me also tell you that visitors are welcome to visit the whole farm and pick fruits and vegetables, but we got there past four already and the farm tour is until 4 pm.

Spicy Penne Salsicia

By the time we get there, the buffet table was being loaded up for the dinner which starts at 6 pm, we never knew they serve buffet but of course it was too early for dinner so most of us opted to have their pasta.

The menu serves a wide array of pasta dishes such as Primavera, Al Funghi, Vongole, Amatricciana and more and the ones we ordered.

The Spicy Penne Salsicia have that mild piccante kick that my kids love , see how the sauce sticks to the perfectly al dente penne, that's how it should be with tube pastas, if the sauce is rightly seasoned you don't need to have sauces running over your plates which can be "ma-umay".

Chili Shrimp Pasta

Pesto

So how would I differentiate the first spaghetti to the next one, apart from the colors, the sauce is way different. If you are a bit gallant in dining you might probably prefer Pesto over Marinara or Tomato-based sauce. Well, me I love them both. I cook both in ways you couldn't imagine but that's another blog post.

If you are unaware of what pesto is let me share some info. Pesto is a general term used by the Italians to describe a garlicky olive oil based sauce which can be spread on breads also used as a sauce for pizza or pasta, or used as a vegetable dip. One of my sources stated the origin of pesto may actually be North Africa. But it is mainly associated with the northern Italian region of Italy called Liguria where Genoa is located.

The aforementioned red pasta will always be a crowd favorite, but beware it is really spicy but a sure win with all the big shrimps it it.

Classic Carbonara

As always, my kids would prefer Carbonara over other pasta dishes. The creamy base with a milky taste is what kids look for in a pasta. Mushrooms, garlic and some bacon bits make it more appetizing. This serving can be good for two kids already. You see pure Italian pasta is not complicated, it should be simple yet always a classic.