The oriental table setting at David Lim’s dining room, with the Chinese New Year motif.

 MANILA, Philippines – David Lim is getting the buzz these days with his ‘oh so very ‘Architectural Digest’ residence and his fun entertaining. Celebrating the good life every so often, David, together with real estate jewel Sandie, jazz/rock aficionado Manoling Poblador, ”Faaabulous” photographer Rupert Jacinto and myself, regularly indulge in gastronomic evenings with fine wine and great bubbly.  David and I share a passion for new flavors in cooking, while the Pobladors take in the task of choosing from a prodigious selection of wine and champagne, bringing with them bottles of bubbly individually nestled on ice buckets.

Recently, the group hosted a despedida dinner for our newly-appointed Philippine Ambassador to Washington, D.C., Joey Cuisia and his genteel wife, Vicky. The gracious couple shall be leaving soon, and as they look forward to this new “chapter” in their lives, Joey was quick to tell us: “what I will miss most are our grandchildren who enjoy sleeping over.”

Happily, my Cauliflower Au Gratin, which went very well with The Plaza”s famous corned beef, was a standout. David’s consistently excellent roasts always win over, even the non-carnivorous.  David once served the best of the best Roast Rib Cap specially flown in from San Francisco.

The guests included Peter Coyiuto, President and CEO of Ist Life Financial Company, Cees Ursem, General Manager, South China Sea, KLM with his vibrant beauty Angela, their visiting houseguest  from Holland, Merlijn Izarin,  Myung Sea Lee, President of Eli Lilly Philippines and his charming wife, Eunyoung Seol, and stylish, avant-garde headturners  Mayenne Carmona and Mela Bengzon.