21/12/2023
Me and my wife recently had this dinner experience at Buhay Ermitanyo here sa Iloilo City. Indi sya ang aton typical dinner scene;
Pagsulod namon sa Buhay Ermitanyo, we were greeted not just by the cozy ambience but by an invitation to a meditation session. This unique prelude to the meal was transformative - the meditation swept away the clutter of the outside world, leaving me guid on a state of profound peace. Grabe! My senses heightened, my mind cleared up, and my body feeling almost ethereal, I was perfectly attuned to the culinary wonders that lay ahead.
Hors d'oeuvre: Lychee Ceviche
Emerging from meditation, ang first course, Lychee Ceviche, was like a burst of sunrise on my palate. The sweet and plump lychee contrasted with the tangy marinadeโmaking it a lot more extra with the hint of spiciness and grounding presence of seaweed. Taga kagat matilawan mo ang โharmoniousโ play of flavors. This is my new favorite! indi lg sya dish; it was a sensory awakening.
Appetizer: Potato Croquette with Bleu Cheese Sauce
The Potato Croquette with Bleu Cheese Sauce was next, a dish that tickled my heightened senses. The perfectly cooked crispy exterior complimented the melt-in-your mouth interior. The luxurious bleu cheese sauce added a rich, creamy dimension, making each mouthful a celebration of texture and taste.
Entree: Cheesy "Spam" Musubi
Then sunod ang Cheesy "Spam" Musubi, a dish so familiar but still brilliantly manages to surprise me. Ang ila homemade vegan "Spam" was astonishingly rich and satisfying, harmonizing beautifully with the indulgent, melty โnotzarellaโ. This dish was pretty simple and yet it manifested the power of reinvention and culinary creativity.
Main: Ermitanyo "Chicken" Pot Pie
The Ermitanyo "Chicken" Pot Pie was a comforting embrace. The flaky crust and the creamy, rich filling with tender plant-based "chicken" created a symphony of textures and flavors. Each bite was a reminder of home, reimagined through a plant-based lens.
Dessert: Choco Carrot Cake a la Mode with 24k Gold
The meal culminated with the Choco Carrot Cake a la Mode, a luxurious dessert that glittered with 24k gold. The rich, moist cake paired with the sublime strawberry and cashew ice cream was a decadent treat, a perfect conclusion to this post-meditation culinary journey.
Throughout this experience, the warm and knowledgeable host, along with his wifeโthe exceptionally talented chefโensured that each course was not just a dish but an experience told through flavors. Their passion for vegan cuisine shone through every element of the meal.
Buhay Ermitanyo offered more than just a dining experience; it was a journey of discovery, with hidden surprises that delighted and inspired. This wasnโt just a meal; it was a celebration of mindful eating and the joys of a heightened sensory experience.
