Timeless Classics at Cafe Ysabel

For more than thirty-three years, Cafe Ysabel's classic cuisine has endured the test of time. Simply bring the company, and let Cafe Ysabel take care of the great food and wine, and prepare for another memorable dining experience...

Chef Gene Gonzalez shared his extraordinary and flavorful culinary journey with Cafe Ysabel with his signature dishes and extensive wine selection in one special evening. Great food, great wine, and great stories...

That evening, we sampled the exclusive wine collection of Chef Gene Gonzalez, including the Cafe Ysabel 30th Anniversary Pinot Noir by Bird in Hand Adelaide Hills 2011. Each dish and each bottle of wine had a story, as Chef Gene Gonzalez seasoned the evening with flavorful tales from Cafe Ysabel. 

Our dining experience began with Casa Ysabel's classic bestseller, Gambas, plump shrimps sauteed in olive oil, garlic and chili peppers. In true Casa Ysabel style, the flavors are rich with clean flavors (for more on Casa Ysabel, check out my previous post here at  http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-carabao-cheese-themed-dinner-at-cafe.html). The mild, briny sweetness of the shrimps paired well with the Pinot Noir, as more starters were served.

Casa Ysabel's Smoked Fish Wanton (L) were then served, bringing local flavors to the table, followed by the rustic Four Cheese Pizza (R) fresh from Casa Ysabel's brick oven. The thin crust was perfectly crisp, and the blend of cheeses packed bold flavors with every bite.

The Bobby Chin Pizza, named after the renowned chef and restaurateur, who created the pizza during his visit to Cafe Ysabel. The original was an all vegetarian pizza, and Chef Gene Gonzalez added his own spin topping it with prosciutto. The bold and distinct notes of the prosciutto completes the flavors of this rustic pizza.

More wine was served, along with the Sopa Ysabel En Croute (R), an elegant bowl of comforting soup with assorted seafood covered in a light pastry shell. Gently crack the pastry shell, as steam and a fragrant aroma is released. The soup is thick and creamy, with the mild notes of the various seafood adding to the flavor.

The elegantly plated Pasta Trentissimo Anniversario was then served, paired with the Cafe Ysabel 30th Anniversary Riesling by Bird in Hand 2011 Clare Valley. The creamy pasta dish is delicately laid on a crisp mozzarella bowl, and you can enjoy a boost in flavor by simply tearing off a piece of the crisp mozzarella.

And Chef Gene Gonzalez had even more dishes prepared that evening, like the Seabass with Seafood and Vietnamese Butter...

...another elegantly plated dish with an assortment of fresh seafood, including shrimps, mussels, fish, and squid, in a creamy sauce with fresh microgreens. The rich and creamy sauce paired well with the delicate notes of the seafood, and the Vietnamese butter added even more flavor with its boldly spiced notes.

A refreshing sorbet was then served before the main course...

For the main course, Cafe Ysabel's Filleto ala Gino, paired with 2007 Petite Sirah by Corte Riva, was served. The tender fillet, laid on creamy mashed potatoes and buttered vegetables, was topped with foie gras to cap the dish.

Tender, juicy, and perfectly grilled to medium, the beefy flavors of the fillet come through as the foie gras adds its own rich and creamy layer followed by the equally intense flavors of the red wine sauce. Perfect.

For dessert, Cafe Ysabel served its signature Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla Cream Sauce...

...paired with GranMonte Asoke Valley Bussaba 2013...

...followed by the Mini Strawberry Shortcake and Peter Pan Caramel drizzled with Chocolate and Vanilla Custard Sauces, each one a fitting end to another memorable dinner at Cafe Ysabel.

More wine flowed that evening, but Chef Gene Gonzalez had one more to share...

...his very own medieval-style Mead, with its deep golden hue made with fermented honey. Like all the dishes and the wine at Cafe Ysabel, each one has its own unique story, including this one.

An elegant dinner with excellent food and wine, something you can always expect at Cafe Ysabel. Here's to even more good times, and more stories, at Cafe Ysabel...

Cafe Ysabel is located at 455 P. Guevarra Street, San Juan City or call 726-9326 for inquiries and reservations.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook and Instagram, check out the FB Page and IG Feed for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.