My Personal Picks at the The Peninsula Manila's MaArte oPEN House Preview

The country's finest gourmet selections converge at The Peninsula Manila once more for the much-awaited yearly art and shopping event...the MaArte Fair.

Now on its 11th year, the MaArte Fair showcases Filipino creativity and artistry from August 16 to 18, 2019 at The Peninsula Manila with a festive mix of local products. From single-origin chocolates to gourmet home-cooked meals, organic produce and herbal teas, fashion apparel, jewelry and accessories to bags, shoes, pottery and home furnishings, this year's MaArte Fair promises both fun and nostalgia with over 65 hand-picked merchants. At the exclusive preview last August 6 at The Peninsula Manila's Escolta, guests sampled some of the tasty offerings for this year's edition at the MaArte oPEN House. Here are my personal picks... 

Kampai! The Akashi Japanese Whisky Dinner Pairing at Cafe Ysabel

The only whisky in the world produced by a sake master or "Toji" sets the tone for another memorable dining experience at Cafe Ysabel...

Masterfully created by one of Japan's oldest distilleries, Akashi Japanese Whisky reveals yet another facet in Japan's highly regarded whisky tradition. Known for its unique distinction as the only whisky in the world distilled by an acclaimed sake master, Akashi Japanese Whisky was only recently shared with the rest of the world after being exclusively reserved for local consumption since it was established back in 1888. And there's just no better way to get acquainted with this elegant whisky than with a lavish dinner pairing prepared by Chef Gene Gonzalez of Cafe Ysabel. After a memorable wine pairing dinner with traditional Filipino cuisine at Cafe Ysabel (more on my earlier post, Wine Not? Rediscover Comforting Local Flavors with Chef Gene Gonzalez Paired with Fine Wine at Cafe Ysabel), Chef Gene Gonzalez creates another epic feast paired with one of Japan's rarest whiskies...