Laurent Boisdron, general manager of the Radisson Blu Hotel, hosted a grand party at the lobby bar lounge to mark the launching of Sushisake, the hotel’s new Japanese restaurant.
The event coincided with the opening of an important art exhibit by New York-based Japanese artist Sophia Chizuco who was present.
The exhibit is made possible by the Hiraya Gallery of Manila whose Didi Dee was here for the occasion. It will remain on view until July 30.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale was guest of honor, accompanied by Dawn Roa, former director of Department of Tourism in Region 7. Elizabeth Sy was present, too, as well as the hotel’s director of sales and marketing Ann Olalo, Rochelle Tavino, and Lara Agua, the new communications manager.
Chef Jefferson Yalung served Japanese specialties prepared in the traditional Edomae style. For over 10 years now, he has specialized in sushi and sashimi, and is credited with the invention of 50 dishes. He has also created some fabulous sauces and marinades.
There was a good sampling enjoyed by the likes of Amparito Lhuillier, Annie Aboitiz, Kaye Sala, Teresin Mendezona, Irma Atillo, Rosebud Sala, Marguerite Lhuillier, Arcy Gayatin, Dr. Nestor Alonso, Wolf and Krystalle Kekert with their lively children.
Seen at the event were Chris Darza, Mikel Ugarte, Bernie Aboitiz, Nelly Egle, Frances Siao, Cheling and Susan Sala, Glenn and Honey Loop, Mike and Rose Hennessy, Edralyn Benedicto and Bingo Gonzalez who had crossed over from the office of Cebu Daily News, Inquirer’s sister newspaper in the Visayas.
Sushisake seats 21 diners and is open daily from 6 to 11 p.m. Guests can observe chef Jeff in action at the restaurant’s open kitchen. They can also request him to customize sushi rolls according to their liking.
The favorite item on opening night at Sushisake was the Dynamite sushi roll. Also recommended are the surf and turf sushi rolls, the dragon rolls and the special California roll. Sushisake also offers an impressive collection of sake, the Japanese rice wine.
The fourth edition of the annual Cebu Literary Festival was recently held at the activity center of Ayala Center Cebu. One of the highlights was the launch of the novel “The Newspaper Widow” by Cebuana writer Cecilia Manguerra Brainard.
The author is based in California where she teaches writing at the Writers Program of UCLA.
Like many of her stories and novels, her recent opus is set in Cebu, disguised as Ubec or Cebu spelled backward.
Cecilia was present at the launch to autograph copies. She has since returned to her family in Santa Monica, California. She visits Cebu regularly.