Porta x Malagos Chocolate Discovery Dinner
To celebrate the pleasures of chocolate from the award-winning Malagos Chocolate Maker from Davao City, Philippines, Porta held a special two-day Chocolate Discovery Dinner where Executive Chef Alex Phan infused the award-winning single origin chocolate into his signature dishes to craft a magical culinary adventure filled with sweet notes and surprising discoveries.
It is my first visit to Porta and I was pleasantly surprised by its inviting atmosphere and relaxing environment, making it perfect for leisurely gatherings with friends and family.
While patiently waiting for the dishes to be served, I visited the front counter to find out more about the history of Malagos Chocolate and to sample the various types of chocolate that will be used in the dishes.
The Chocolate Discovery Dinner featured four unique dishes, each infused with the creativity of the chef and the richness of the ingredients.
1st Dish - House-cured Milk Fish with Sugarcane and Vinegar, paired with Asian Slaw and Fish Sauced containing 85% Dark Chocolate: An unlikely combination that absolutely works wonder, reminding me of a delicious, crispy Kuih Pie Tee.
2nd Dish - Homemade Foie Gras Terrine showcasing a classic French pairing of Balsamic and Grape Chutney infused with 65% Dark Chocolate, garnished with Roasted Cacao Nibs, served with a pair of delicious buttery Brioche: Another home run that effectively utilizes the sweetness and bitterness of the chocolate to balance the rich Foie Gras and the tart Grape Chutney. It is little wonder that this delicious recipe was recently featured in the Singapore Michelin Guide.
3rd Dish - 12-hour Sous Vide Braised Beef Cheek swimming in its natural jus which is infused with Peanut Butter and 72% Dark Chocolate: This tender, decadence gastronomy is pure bliss as the beef cheek slowly melts in your mouth as it blends with the luscious sauce to create pure happiness with every bite. This dish is a signature creation by Executive Chef Alex Phan which showcases his interpretation of Kare Kare, a traditional Filipino stew.
Special Dish - Mushroom Pasta tossed with 65% Dark Chocolate: The surprise hit of the evening as the chocolate complements the nutty flavors of the mushrooms to create a unique sweet and savory dish that can be served both as a dessert and an entree. More interesting is the fact that this dish is served as a complimentary treat for kids attending the dinner event.
4th Dish - 65% Dark Chocolate Sponge paired with Coconut Cream and Maraschino cherries, and garnished with Roasted Cacao: A sweet ending to an enriching culinary adventure into the magical world of cacao as we test the culinary limits of the ingredient and challenge our perceptions of chocolate on our dining tables.
With a successful two-day run of this delightful chocolate dinner, I hope that Porta will be able to introduce these dishes into its regular menu to allow more diners to enjoy the culinary magic of Executive Chef Alex Phan and the award-winning single origin chocolate from Malagos Chocolate.
Special thanks to Porta for inviting me for this beautiful chocolate discovery dinner on a Friday evening.
Looking forward to my next gastronomy journey at the restaurant!