Last week, my husband and I had a great time at the media launch of Joey Restaurant’s spring menu. Not only it turned out to be a mini date with just the two of us without our baby but we also had fun as we explored the place , enjoyed good food and listened to passionate people.
I really want to elaborate more about the good food. Like like these sliders for example, they were really unforgettable with the thin, crispy, caramelized cheese and tender patties. I can say it is the best one I ever tasted. But I think behind the good food they serve are the passionate people. Their passion is the driving force that is why goodness shines through in the work they do, and is very well reflected in the food they make.
I have sensed passion as one of the chefs talked about this Korean Cauliflower. I saw how his eyes glistened with delight as he talked about the tempura batter coating these bite sized cauliflowers and the sweet, tangy and chili sauce that envelops these crispy little bites. I sensed joy and pride as he talked, like a parent talking with full pride about his kids.
That was when I knew that these foods were made out of love.
Pure love for food. Pure love for service.
The over all atmosphere during the event was very pleasant. Every one was welcoming. The staff naturally engaged in light and fun conversations with everyone. Being the introvert that I am, I felt at ease and comfortable in their home-y and friendly approach. We were like good ol’ friends talking over this salad, the 500 Salad to be exact. 500 being the calorie count.
Look how pretty! I just love pretty plated food and I love the 500 salad. Its light , nutty ( almonds in it) and healthy. I wish I can make something as fancy as this at home!
Then there were the drinks. Oh my! I am not really into alcoholic drinks but they were so generous pouring out big glasses of drinks to everyone. Pictured below is the blueberry mojito, its very lovely, very light and fresh tasting because of the blueberries. I took more than a couple of sips and I couldn’t anymore because I already felt heat rising up to my neck, then to my cheeks. I don’t want to turn red too red, during this wonderful time. Whenever I drink alcohol, I just don’t flush or blush, I turned into an ugly red color, believe me. The drink was good though, something I would like to be able to make at home too and serve to my guests. Haha! Talk about fancy.
Apple pie was one of the desserts. They also have key lime pie topped with restaurant made vanilla whipped cream which Adrian devoured, and the Madagascar ice cream with the chocolate souffle which I was not able to take a good photo of and posting it here would not do justice to how beautiful and decadent it was. Again, the chef, in all his gusto and passion, talked about the desserts like they were his babies! He referred to the chocolate souffle as one sinful dessert or “hate yourself in the morning dessert” and It was totally sold by me as I laughed silently to my husband’s face.
The ice cream on top of the apple pie cut beautifully into my taste buds after all the food I ate, from the appetizers to the main courses. It did to me what dessert should do after all the savory meal. It was perfect. This apple pie was their classic and I totally tasted knew why.
Then enter the main courses: the lobster and shrimp ravioli and the chicken sandwich.
The ravioli dish has bechamel sauce in it and its the kind of decadence I would not mind having in big amount because it was not too heavy and the creaminess was wonderfully balanced by all the flavors in the dish. The shrimp on top was unmistakably grilled.
The chicken sandwich was my kind of lunch. Generous servings of tasty chicken in lightly toasted bread, it is filling without being too heavy in the tummy.
After all the tasting and as the event came to an end, me and my husband had this consensus in our minds : We wanted more, no, not more food, because we were pretty full and satisfied, but we wanted more of the Joey experience- the passion of the people, the good food and the very pleasant environment. And as we head out the door, my husband said ” I enjoyed it” and I was really happy that I took him along with me that night.
So to summarize , the spring tasting event of Joey restaurant has impacted our lives in the following ways:
*We had a very good and free dinner.
*I did not have to cook that night.
*We had fun taking photos of the beautifully plated food.
*My husband claimed that it was him who took the more beautiful photos.
*I am starting to socialize and reach out as a blogger.
*I am inspired to be passionate in everything I do.
*I need to work a job that is also my passion. ( Like their chefs, kudos to those chefs!)
*Beautiful things come out as a result of working with pure love and passion.
* We will be going to Joey Restaurant on our anniversary.
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