Grace, Elegance & Humanity: The Works of Michael Velasco at Mario's

An evening of art and good food...at Mario's.

Mario's presents the works of Michael Velasco in a special exhibit, "Grace, Elegance & Humanity," from November 10 to December 4, 2015. Have a cocktail, enjoy the art, and have a memorable meal surrounded by Michael Velasco's works for a unique feast for the senses, only at Mario's.

Michael Velasco, painter, muralist, and portraitist, celebrates the female form as the embodiment of grace, elegance, and humanity in a series of works in oil, silver, and gold leaf on canvas. His works reflect both a classicist yet modernist approach, with the elegant female form set against silver and gold leaf and geometric patterns of fabric draped in long shadows cast by the late afternoon glow. Michael Velasco's Pointe Shoes (L) and Lovelorn Muse (R) highlights in contrasting styles the innate beauty of the female form.

Michael Velasco then takes a closer, more intimate perspective with his other works, like The Virgin (L), a simple yet dramatic study of the female form in more detail, with its subdued tones punctuated by the bold splashes of color from the red garb and the gold leaf foil. The grace of a ballerina, the elegant sensuality of the lovelorn muse, and the intimate beauty of a virgin, different facets of the female form reinterpreted by the unique style of Michael Velasco. And you can surround yourself with these different expressions of the female form by Michael Velasco while dining at Mario's...

Lit by the warm amber glow of the interior lights, the various paintings take on an ethereal quality, and it's a good time for cocktails. An Old-Fashioned (P 165) gets you in the groove as you take in the works of Michael Velasco at Mario's for a unique visual and sensory experience before dinner.

Our dinner began with Mario's signature appetizers like the Gambas Con Chorizo (P 345), plump sauteed shrimps with Chorizo de Bilbao...

...the Surtido de Tapas (P 455), a hearty platter with spicy chicken wings, drunken shrimps, fried squid rings and Spanish Chorizo de Bilbao with garlic vinegar, sofrito, and aioli dips...

...and the Oysters Rockefeller (P 350), fresh baked oysters topped with spinach and hollandaise sauce, each one a real classic. Surrounded by art, it's just fitting that the signature classics from Mario's complement the unique visual experience.

No dining experience at Mario's is complete without their famous Caesar's Salad (P 260), the classic salad prepared the Mario's way, right by your table side. The impressive collection of Michael Velasco is matched with an equally masterful performance by Mario's skilled and experienced staff as they prepare the dressing in a slow yet deliberate pace. It's one of those dishes that reminds you of the day you first tried it at Mario's, and one bite is all you need to be reassured that it's still as good and exactly the way you remembered it. The familiar notes are comforting, and that's what you can always expect at Mario's.

More of Mario's signature classics were served, like the rustic Callos Madrilena (P 430), the traditional Spanish casserole with ox tripe and chickpeas, great as is, or better yet, enjoy it with some garlic fried rice...

...and the Corned Beef and Cabbage (P 455) with boiled potatoes and carrots. The tender corned beef, with its rich beefy flavors and subtle briny notes from the curing, pairs perfectly with the boiled potatoes, carrots and cabbage. Time for another cocktail before the mains...

Mario's has always been known for its tenderloin steaks, and they offer a number of flavorful options like the classic Ala Pobre (P 630), tender beef topped with crunchy garlic bits...

...the boldly flavored Peppered Steak (P 630), seasoned with ground peppercorns draped in a creamy brandy sauce...

...and the Fillet Mignon (P 690), bacon-wrapped tenderloin fillet with mushroom gravy, each one perfectly grilled and juicy bursting with rich beefy notes with every bite.

You can also opt for the Salpicon De Mar Y Tierra (P 430), Mario's own version of surf & turf with tenderloin cubes and shrimps sauteed in olive oil, garlic, and chilies laid on a bed of garlic fried rice. A meal in itself, it's everything you love from Mario's served on a plate. With extra garlic bits for good measure.

I go for the Steak Bearnaise (P 635), with the prime heart of tenderloin served with fettucine al burro. The tenderloin is great on its own, pour some of the thick and smooth bernaise sauce and it gets a rich and creamy kick in flavor. The buttery notes of the fettucine completes the dish.

Another round of cocktails, and take one more look at Michael Velasco's works, and you're just about ready for dessert. Cap your meal with one of Mario's signature desserts, like the Sugar-Free Apple Pie (P 185)...

...the rich and indulgent Leche Flan (P 95)...

...or the New York Cheesecake (P 185) to end your dining experience with the works of Michael Velasco at Mario's on a sweet note. The classic dishes and the elegant works of art on exhibit are just some of the many reasons to visit Mario's (for more on Mario's, check out my previous posts on their Chef's Creations here, some of the reasons why I keep coming back to Mario's here, and more of their signature dishes here).

And for a limited time, Mario's is transformed into a gallery showcasing Michael Velasco's evocative interpretation of the female form. Indulge in a feast for the senses with great food and the works of Michael Velasco at Mario's, on display until December 10, 2015.

Mario's is located at 191 Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City or call 373-0360 0r 415-3887 for inquiries. You can also visit their website at www.marios.com.ph.

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