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An awards night at TheVenue

TheVenue Function Rooms at The Avenue Complex was the perfect venue for the Philippine Blog Awards Visayas held last Nov. 27, 2010. Being one of the organizers, I looked nowhere else for TheVenue that had it all – prime location, complete facilities, great food choices plus variety and people who are more than willing to help you for all your needs. Good thing everything went as planned and all the participants had blast even before, during and after the awards night.
It was also among the few occasions that owner consented on a menu that come from different restaurants in the complex for usually it is exclusive to a single resto. Our menu was a good mix of house specials from five of the best restaurants in Iloilo City – all located within The Avenue complex.

For starters we had a savoury Pumpkin Soup from Mojave Grill and Steak House that got all perked up for more of what’s to come – both for the awards night and gastronomy. The restaurant also provided an American Salad bar wherein guests were in for a mix and match gastronomic session from among the variety of ingredients and dressings.

The catering of TheVenue provided Vegetable Fritters served with three house special dips and also California whole milled grain rice.

Amalfi Cucina Italiana brought in Mixed Seafood Marinara with mushrooms and peas in crème sauce and parmesan shaving. Creamy with a not so overpowering flavour that served as an enhancer to flavours of what came next.
Chicken Hamonado – pan roasted chicken in pineapple glaze, from Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine was among my favorite eats that night. It was the tempered sweetness of the glaze that was perfect for the roasted chicken. Just had the right flavour and sweetness and complemented the chicken and vegetables as well.

The Texas Pork Ribs in Barbecue Sauce from Mojave looked not so appetizing at first but when I actually tasted I went back to the buffet table and asked for more.

Sweets, in the form of Belgian Chocolate Mousse in varied designs, were provided by Nothing but Desserts. Rich Belgian Chocolate with strawberry, blueberry or mango sauce toppings - a perfect ending to the dinner prior the awarding ceremonies!

A lot of specially designed cupcakes in the form of the PBA logo courtesy of Tinapayan Bakeshop became a hot photo-ops scenario after the program. Aside from looking exceptional good, they cupcakes themselves were delicious – soft and fluffy that smelled, looked and tasted very good.
All in all, TheVenue provided the perfect set-up for the event we had that night. From the food to the program itself it was very rewarding to showcase the Best of the Visayas (blogs) in one of Iloilo City's best locations!

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