Counting Our Blessings at Mama’s Table

I thought this day would never come! The day that we dine at Chef Vicky’s beautiful home finally arrived!  Having made a reservation months ago (after seeing the Heart 2 Heart blog in one of my Baguio food researches/recons. Thanks so much for sharing, Ms. Rica), I was excited to the point that I couldn’t sleep well when finally December came around the corner.  (If I had it my way, my loved ones and I would’ve gone the instant I found out about Mama’s Table. =b)  It was like the hours of December 16 couldn’t go quickly enough so that it would be 5:00 p.m. and we would be at this home/resto/establishment.

Mama’s Table photo ops… a few of them *harhar (“,)

With time being true, in that we couldn’t turn it back or stop it, we found ourselves at Chef Vicky’s door for our special celebration of life, friendship, love and all the things we’re blessed with.  (Blessing 1) Before the door was even opened, my heart was ready to beat out of my rib cage seeing a little into her beautiful home through the glass panels at the sides of the door.  My jaw dropped as I walked in with P3, my brother, Race and Leby (we’re all foodie friends here – with all our jaws on the floor now =D) (Blessing 2). (This is my living room, my dining room, my house. This is it, right now!!! ~Chris Rock’s tone in the movie, Grown Ups.) Having met Chef Vicky (Blessing 3), she gave us the time to go around her house being all shutter happy with the cam. (Blessing 4) When we were finished…sort of =)), we went indoors for the first part of our private dining experience; a board of bread, chips, spreads and dips. (Blessing 5)

The board of bread, chips, cheese (xmas cheese =b and bree), spreads (chicken liver pate, artichoke parmesan), dips (blue cheese mousse, semi cured tomatoes with chorizo, and I forgot the other dip for the chips – it’s like chili con but better =D), nuts and cranberries.

We had more time to take photos (indoors this time ^^, Blessing 6) while waiting for the ‘main event’ of private dining.  (Between you and me, we were already topped off with the board spread *hihi  Chef Vicky even got us extra bowls of bread and chips just so we could clean off the dishes of spreads and dips.  Blessing 7– we wiped it all away with the bread, weeee!) Hanging out by the fireplace, Chef Vicky then called us to the table (Blessing 8 and now, you know the drill =b).  (It was just in time since the fire was dying down.)

Mama’s Table’s dining table. =D

At this point, I’ll let the photos do the talking.  The day after our Mama’s table experience, I’m still too excited to be coherent… but I’ll try. *hihi

The amuse bouche.  ‘Caramelized onion, mushroom, and gruyere, flavored with truffle oil baked in an eggshell served with anchovy butter toast.’ ~Why Hello blog. Stumped which silverware to use for a ‘many coursed’ meal like this? When they’re all lined up beside your plate, start with the ones furthest away and work your way closer to your plate. For the first course, however, dip away with the butter toast! Let’s eat, brother! \m/

Forgive me, afoodionados, I didn’t take note of the names of the dishes. You guessed it, I was just so mesmerized every time the plates were brought to the table. I was still in a daze when Chef Vicky came out to tell us what the dish is, what went into preparing it, and also how to eat it. Starstruck me! *heeharhar

The soup: Mushroom cappuccino. See all the froth there, that’s garlic foam…or was it ginger foam.  Ah, just sip or spoon it into your mouth =b… don’t let any of the mushroom pieces get away!

Parmesan cheese lollipop with marshmallows and rosemary. Who knew the sweet and salty can come together like that? =)

Our seafood dish…salmon, bok choy, caper berries, etc. (“,)

With course #4, our table fell silent.  We were making sure we had a little of every ‘ingredient’ in one mouthful (as instructed by the Chef =D).  It was a taste sensation that went from our mouths to our whole bodies. Oohhhh, feel the tingle! *tingle tingle.  (And wow, the caper berries! We were ready to get ourselves a jar of these after we found out where we could get them. =D)

The dumpling in a spoon. Chef Vicky: “In one gulp! Eat, quick! It’s getting cold!” =D

A clean spoon. Hhhhmmm, I wonder if… Xine: “Chef Vicky, there must be some mistake? I think my dumpling fell on the floor.”  *weasel smile.  More? Please? =b

Breaktime! *hee

Intermission to the 8-course meal! =D Take note of the view outside, guys. The fog is starting to creep in. If you’re looking for a Baguio fog spot, Ambuklao Road is IT! It really becomes a white out here at night and in stormy weather so be careful in driving! (“,)

Back to the table! *hihi

Tenderloin with au jus sauce, roasted bell pepper, French beans, snow peas and mashed potatoes. Oh yum. Chef Vicky (while pouring more sauce on my plate): “Oh, eat quickly! Your friends are eyeing your share.” And when I was done scraping the sauce off the plate with my fork… “Very good, clean plate!” THAT’s HOW I ROLL!

(By this time, I was sort of freaking out…almost full, almost full! Where can I get an extra stomach?! Eeek! *heee)

A Moroccan inspired salad with fresh veggies, almonds, dates, cranberries dressed with citrus rice wine vinegar and wild honey vinaigrette. Tangy! And wow, the textures of everything in the salad!

Pavlova – meringue topped with cream, strawberry and mango, drizzled with Toblerone chocolate sauce. The perfect meringue… *sigh =D Paired with Althaus Bavarian mint tea – the tea with character, it’s a fabulous finish! Just fabulous! =)

At Mama’s Table, the time suddenly seemed to go at high speed.  Before we knew it, the eight courses for the dinner meal were consumed and enjoyed.

Photo op with Chef Vicky. She’s a woman after my own heart – meticulous with photos just like me. “Apir tayo dyan” (among other things), Chef!/High five, Chef! Weeee for the perfect shot! (“,)

We hung around the living room for a bit.  More photo ops! (I assume everyone just wasn’t ready to leave.  And at the back of my mind, I wished time would stop…or maybe that I would ask Chef Vicky to adopt me.  Take me in please, Chef? ^^, I don’t want to go home!!!)

The Chef is also a photographer! What a great photo, don’t you think? Thank you so much, Chef Vicky! Love it! (“,)

When we packed our things and said goodbye to Chef Vicky, we knew that this day would forever be imprinted in our minds as one of the best food quests/food adventures we’ve ever had.  Another thing to be thankful for.  We are so blessed!

X marks Mama’s Table for good food in Baguio.  A definite must try when you’re in the City of Pines!

Food: 

Service: 

Ambiance: 

Price:    For P1500+ (10% service charge, not included yet) per person, you get a memorable experience.  More than a dining experience even and so it’s all worth it.

Mama’s Table

Chef Vicky Tinio Clemente’s Private Dining

888-A Ambuklao Road

Baguio City, Philippines

442 1794

0915 643 8775

Location of Mama’s Table, click to enlarge photo

***Thank you very, very much, Chef Vicky! (“,) Fingers crossed for consultation fees! *wink wink

***Thank you so much, Leby for completing our magic 6!

(Oh, btw, foodie friends, if you want to experience private dining at Mama’s Table, there has to be at least six people in your group. ^^,)