My Birthday Salubong at Black Sheep, Bonifacio Global City
December 1, 2013
I wasn’t planning to celebrate my birthday—in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever thrown a party for myself, it’s usually surprises by the kind-hearted souls in my life—until all my friends told me, “Helloooo, it’s a big deal!!! You have to do something!!!” And as my cousin Beverly told me one birthday a few years ago, “My cousin Cheryl wanted to go home and sleep.. an hour and a half before the stroke of midnight would ring in her birthday. NO WAY!!! How can you be sleeping on your birthday?”
So, by peer pressure and coercion :-p, I rounded up my family, cousins and young-at-heart uncles and aunts for drinks the night before my birthday to countdown to transitioning to another decade on 11/11.
My cousin Jed Tiu Lim had just opened Black Sheep, which is both a restaurant and a bar, situated at the penthouse of the new W 5th Building, which has an awesome view of the Fort. “We at Black Sheep want to forever change the Manila dining experience—everything from excellent food (progressive with familiar flavors) to a breathtaking view to total five-star quality service,” he says. “We want to be the black sheep of the Manila dining scene, in a good way.” Bar by Black Sheep is a single malt bar that carries over 100 single malt whiskeys, and his aim is for their restaurant (to open in another week still) to get the first Michelin star in the Philippines.
Natch.
It may sound like a tall order but at the helm of Black Sheep’s kitchen is the very talented Chef Jordy Navarra, formerly from the Michelin star Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, and three Michelin star Fat Duck in the UK. It’s pure coincidence that Jordy had been my Twitter friend for some time, even before he and Jed decided to work together, as there’s a great foodie community going on in social media. He had helped me secure a table at Bo Innovation when reservations said it was full, and it was there we first met in person. He is the nicest, nicest chef—absolutely NO ego—but with lots of great talent.
Me with Chef Jordy Navarra, and the Dragon Chef, in the Michelin-star Bo Innovation, Hong Kong, when he was still working there last September 2011
Jed opened Black Sheep the night before my birthday just so I could have it there! I was nervous at first because when I went a few days prior, they were still welding and hammering things, hahaha. But all turned out well, everyone had a fantastic time. Since the fine-dining menu isn’t ready yet (they are targeting around 2nd week of December), we decided to serve bar bites—so the guests wouldn’t go hungry.
I thought it would be predominantly a family affair, but some of my close friends came and surprised me! <3 <3 <3 It was so nice ushering into a new year surrounded by loved ones. 🙂 Here’s what transpired during the night:
“How do you find the Black Sheep at The Fort? It’s just like a bat signal. Just look up, and look for the W.” -@jedtiulim on Instagram(Photo by Macy Yap)Black Sheep houses a single malt bar that carries over 100 different single malt whiskeys from Scotland to Japan (Photo courtesy of Black Sheep)The interiors are described as rustic modern, playing with different textures of clean canvas and mahogany for the main dining area (Photo courtesy of Black Sheep)Ask to see the “secret” bar– a circular “sky” open room, known as the floating table which can sit a super private table that offers a 360 dining experience. People dining below won’t be able to see you, but you can see everyone 😉 (Photo courtesy of Black Sheep)In contrast to the dining area, the bar has dark faux leather seats and couches in olive and gray. As it is situated at the penthouse, it has one of the most stunning views of Fort Bonifacio (Photo courtesy of Black Sheep)My menu at #BlackSheepBGC for the evening 🙂Welcome drink: Valdivieso NVY Passion Fruit Sparkling Wine (Photo by Macy Yap)Fresh flowers and Belvedere…Beringer Sparkling White Zinfandel, Beringer Founder’s Estate Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay, Glenmorangie Single Malt Whiskey, Patron XO, Patron Silver and Patron Anejo..A little trivia here… it’s the official wine of the PGA Tour! 🙂 How cool!And of course, not without my beloved Moet!!!Black Sheep co-owner, my dear cousin and co-organizer Jed Tiu Lim. and the early bird awardee Uncle Richard TiuThanks for the birthday cake, Uncle Richard! (Photo by Richard Tiu)Gorgeous and clear uni cappuccino shots served in a wooden bowl… mmm… (Photo by Macy Yap)Delicate Prawn Dumping.. (Photo by Macy Yap)Wheat Flour Wrapped Prawn with Prawn Head Togarashi Mayo… sooooo goooood!Melt-in-your-mouth Grilled Confit Pork set against Cauliflower Mash— Chef Jordy, you are incredible! Nom nom nom!With Erika Aquino.. sexy dress, lady!My youngest uncle and aunt, John and Katrine TiuBeverly Tiu, Alex Tiu, Dexter Tiu, Mike Tiu, Charles TiuCecile Ang and Carlo CalmaElga Reyes, Aimee Co, Carlo Calma, Cecile Ang, Earl Lim, Celine TangAwww, you came, even though you have school tomorrow <3 Christian and Christine TiuWith my forever travel buddy, Christine Dayrit!Paolo Teodoro, Krissy Tiu, Cristine Lacson, Timothy Tiu Yap, Barbie TiuCindy and Derick Wong, Leslie Yap, Cheryl Tiu, Bernice Tiu, Christian TiuBel Aleguin– she’s super talented, she did the logo of this blog!!! :)– and Jake LimQueen Alandy Dy, Chris Tiu, Richard Tiu, Lesley Tan, Dexter Yu GalanMy girls.. Erika Aquino and Sandra Miloda <3Daddy!! With me, Ram Bucoy, Ingrid Go, Eths and Marbee GoLOL, love Ingrid’s shirt!Tiu girls! Macy Yap, Clarisse Tiu, Leslie Yap, Cindy Wong, Cheryl Tiu, Krissy Tiu (Photo by Macy Yap)My older-looking brother Chris leading the birthday toast <3 (Photo by Ram Bucoy)Thank you everyone!!!! <3 (Photo by Macy Yap)This Black Sheep chocolate ganache cake is INCREDIBLE!!!!! Seriously. One of my favorite cakes… ever.Oh no… here comes the Patron!!! Eths Go, Ingrid Go, Marbee Go, Ram Bucoy, Cheryl Tiu, Sandra Miloda, Richard Tiu, Arun HemandasBunnahabhain… just one of the hundreds of single malts at Black Sheep..My favorite cocktail at the Black Sheep is the Katalina: Gin, Midori, Kiwi and Red Grapes with a skewer of sugar-frosted grapes! <3 Order it when you’re there!Like I said, the level of personalization and service at Black Sheep is impeccable!
Congratulations, Jed, managing partner Rafael Cruz (who took the floor that evening), and to all the partners! Everything was amazing, and it was only the 2nd day of soft opening! A telling sign of things to come 🙂
Black Sheep is located at the Penthouse at W Fifth Avenue, ocrner 32nd and 5th, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For reservations, phone +632 506 1380 or +63917 871 4388 (mobile). Directions on how to get there on their Facebook page.
