Last week, I had the opportunity to sample a few of Etihad Airways Pearl Business Class Airline Meals.  Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E).  It is set up in July 2003 under a Royal Decree and it began operating on November 2003.  For the two years now, Etihad Airways was awarded as World's Fastest Growing Airline.  Etihad Airways has won over 30 awards which includes the World's Best First Class and  Best First Class Catering awarded in 2011.

MacroAsia Catering Services

Etihad Airways has decided to partner with MacroAsia Catering Services in providing their passengers the best airline meals.  MacroAsia Catering Services prides itself as being the leading airline catering service in the Philippines.

Upon our arrival at MacroAsia Catering Services headquarters inside the airport, we were given a guided tour to their operations facility to show us how they make the airline meals.  We were very impressed with their procedure.  It was strictly hygienic and systematic.  I never could have imagined that the food preparation could be so complex and sophisticated until this tour.

The Pearl Business Class Airline Meals is not only attractive in terms of plating, they were delicious too!

I specially enjoyed the Salmon.  It was so tender juicy and tasty.  

Everyone couldn't stop munching on these!   

All the desserts were delicious!  Everyone was raving about the Lemon Cheesecake and the Champorado.  

Riviera Cafe has a function room where we were accommodated.  It was elegant and cozy.

Appetizer

I started my dinner with some Salmon Sashimi from the Sushi Bar.  I passed over the Fresh Seafood and Chinese Station to get some appetizers.  They had the jellyfish, siomai and century egg.  I also tried several of their cheese offerings and cold cuts.  They also have a pizza.  

Soup

They offered three kinds of soup.  I had the pumpkin soup while the others tried the Chinese soups.  I noticed that the soup were replenished once in awhile to ensure that they are hot.

Salad

I tried various prepared salads.  I especially enjoyed the one with the crab sticks.  They also had the make your own salad if you prefer those.

Main Course

I had some Hainanese Chicken.  I went over to the Grilling Station where I had lamb chops, beef, squid and chicken satay.  Soon enough, it was delivered to our table. This station failed to impress me, especially the lamb which had a gamey taste.  I couldn't eat it.  I tried to replace the bad impression by trying out the Chinese dishes.  They were all pretty good.

Desserts

The best part of Riviera Cafe's buffet is the dessert.  They have a lot of cake selections.  Apart from those displayed, their an entire chiller of them.  Everything is a delicious as they look.  I wanted to try more of them but I was so stuffed.  All their cakes are delicious.  All of them had the right amount of sweetness.  I also got myself an ice cream with my choice of toppings at their self-service ice cream bar.  

Coffee

At the end of our meal, we had some brewed coffee.  It was a nice way to end a meal.

Nectar Restaurant is a new establishment found at the corner of Salcedo and Benavidez, Makati City.  The restaurant is easy to spot as it has glass windows with hexagon glass stains surrounding every part of it.  

Nectar Restaurant offers great ambiance for romantic dates, parties and business meetings.  Nectar Restaurant offers several function rooms for privacy.  The place has a elegant and cozy interior.  It also has paintings hanged on its walls.  According to the owner Robert Joseph, the paintings have their own wine pairings as well. 

It has a Wine Dispensing Station where you enjoy wine depending on your budget and preference.  You just have to get the access card from the counter and choose whether you want to try the wine for just a taste, half or full.  It's amazing that you can taste wine for such a minimal amount.  

Nectar Restaurant distinguishes itself from other wine restaurants because it educates its customers about wine through its wine personality test.  I found out that my personality is the same as the trait of a Cabernet Savignon.  The servers are also knowledgeable about wine so feel free to ask.

Drinks

I never considered myself as a wine drinker.  In fact, I only drink wine during our family New Year's Eve toast.  We always have red wine in the fridge but I never bothered to drink a glass or two.  I didn't know how much wine could influence food until the owner Mr. Robert Joseph let us pair their food with their house wines.  This marks my sweet beginning with wine pairings. =)

Food

Appetizer

The Spanaconchitas are Greek spanakopitas filled with Spanish chorizos served with sour cream dip.  I find these enjoyable to snack on.  

The Burguittos are Nectar's unique version of bite-sized burgers.  The bottom is a slice of baguette then topped with lettuce, meaty patty, tomatoes, fried quail egg and potato allumettes.  Imagine a burger that's cripsy, flavorful and meaty!  Yum!

The Crispy Toro is a beef shank that's crispy on the outside and tenderlicious on the inside.  This is best coupled with red wine for a more wholesome meaty sensation.  Everyone loved this dish!  

Pasta

The Aglio Olio Gamberi has a simple garlic flavor and topped with three tiger prawns.  I usually find oil-based pasta difficult to finish but the Aglio Olio Gamberi will make you want to taste more and more of its garlic taste.  Try this out with white wine. =)

Burgers, Sandwiches & Wraps

The La Mancha Burger is a minced steak burger patty topped with pickled bell peppers, lettuces, sundried tomato pasta, crispy fried beef flakes and gruyer cheese sandwiched between wheat buns.  It is served with potato wedges.  This is definitely one of the best burgers that I have ever tasted!  This is awesome both in taste and texture.  This huge burger is advised for sharing.

Main Course

The Pork Tenderloin ala Plancha is pork tenderloin with plum sauce, braised red cabbage and barley faux rissoto.  I loved everything that's on the plate.  The pork tenderloin goes well with the plum sauce.  The red cabbage is delicious!  For the first time in my entire life, I enjoyed barley.  I didn't even know it was barley because it felt like pasta.  

Desserts

The desserts served are not on the menu yet but were served during their valentine promo.

The Chocolate Climax is chocolate mousse topped with rich dark chocolate.  This is my best picked among the desserts we've tried.

The Mango Madnes is a unique mango cake because the texture is a hybrid of chiffon and mousse.  

The Apple Tartatin is layered puff pastry filled with apple slices in each layer topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce.  

Nectar Restaurant offers great food and affordable wine selections.   Nectar Restaurant's dishes comes in great proportions and use the finest ingredients.  Price may be expensive but you get what you pay for.  Because they are wine distributors, Nectar Restaurant is capable of serving wine cheaper than its competitors.  The servers are courteous, friendly and accommodating.  

UPDATE:
This establishment is closing.  I received this email today (July 5, 2012):

To our most loyal customers,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that NECTAR Restaurant will be opening its doors for the last time on Friday, July 6, 2012. Financial difficulties have forced us to cease operations indefinitely. We thank you for your unbridled support, patronage and, above all, your friendship over this past year. We invite you to dine at our establishment and experience NECTAR one final time. We will sorely miss you all.
Sincerely,
Robi Joseph (Owner Nectar Restaurant)