Enjoying Hola Bombon at home
Hola Bombón delivered a contemporary interpretation of Spanish dining in the middle of Poblacion in Makati City but was closed during the long lockdown.
I enjoyed their hot and cold pintxos, tapas, the different types of paella and fideua (paella with noodles instead of rice), and their cochinillo, which was truly one of the most tender, juicy and flavorful roast pigs I’ve ever had.
They are now once again open for dine in and can deliver the food I missed so much straight to one’s home. They also started conducting online cooking classes with Catalunyan-born-and-raised Rubén Beltran Castellnou, Hola Bombón's executive chef.
Rubén has been in the industry working around the world for 20 years. He moved to the Philippines in 2018 and has familiarized himself with Filipino ingredients and the local palate. He has designed each dish in his restaurant to integrate Filipino ingredients with classic Spanish culinary techniques, resulting in whimsical innovations.
My favorite would probably be his seared foie gras with mango jam and pickled green mango and that wonderful chipirones a la andaluza, which is crispy fried baby squid with bagoong aioli.
Rubén’s “Cocina Española” is a series of online cooking classes held via Zoom. Each class focuses on a specific Spanish region and their star dishes — from the cochinillo of Segovia and the pintxos and burnt cheesecake of Pais Vasco to the pulpo of Costa Gallega!
Each student will have prepared a four-course meal by the end of each class. All ingredients come pre-packaged and delivered to each student on the day of the class. For more information on class menus, prices and schedules, visit https://www.holabombon.com/cooking-classes.
“See” you at one of your virtual cooking classes, Rubén!
Delivery and takeaway are available through https://www.holabombon.com/online-ordering or by calling 0917-520-1880 or through Foodpanda or GrabFood. They are open for dine-in on Wednesday to Thursday, 12 noon to 8 p.m. and Friday to Sunday, 12 noon to 10 p.m. Hola Bombón is on the second floor of 5887 Fermina Street corner Enriquez Street Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila. Call (02) 75042977 or 0917 520 1880 or email [email protected] for inquiries or reservations. Check out www.holabombon.com.
SONGS OF LOVE AND HOPE
As a way to spread love and hope amid trying times, Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli came together for the online show “Love, Landers.” The show is part of the fourth-year anniversary celebration of the fast-growing membership shopping establishment, Landers Superstore.
They shared their love story and experiences as newlyweds, their life in quarantine, and updates on their respective careers. Together with musical director Louie Ocampo, they treated their fans to a unique musical experience. The celebrity couple also encouraged the community to help provide aid to those in need by supporting Lander's Share the Hope donation program through www.sharethehope.landers.ph.
The show also featured the launch of Lander's 100 Blessings campaign which encourages social media users to post a photo showing the person they want to thank using #100Blessings.
The full concert can be viewed on YouTube.
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