CAV

CAV is essentially a wine place with a cafe. The wine menu is about 10-15 pages long while cafe and dinner menus are just one-pagers! But when you order, servers can recommend the perfect wine to go with your choice meal... Definitely a good place for wine lovers :) Wine is P320 per glass. I can't do wine though, but even without it, I really enjoyed the food :) 

Interiors are formal and may be a bit intimidating, but the servers are real friendly and not at all stiff. Service was quick and they even provided an additional appetizer -- on the house!

Dining Area 

Of course complimentary bread is in order, especially in a restaurant such as this. We ordered salad for starters, but was pleasantly surprised when complimentary soup and ravioli was served. Great way to start a dinner :) Tomato Panzanella Salad was superb -- don't mix all the greens with the dressing; since it's real rich. But everything works together. Corn soup and ravioli were OK. But nothing extraordinary with the shakes, except that you can taste that fresh fruit was used.

Complimentary Bread & Butter

Dalandan and Grape Shakes, P220 each

 Corn Soup and Cheese Ravioli (on the house!)

Tomato Panzanella Salad, P290

Main course was Tiger Prawns with Tarragon Foam and Kurobuta Pork. Great meal presentation, hands down. Loved both entrees, I think it's the first time I've tasted tarragon on my food, and it went real well with the baked prawns. Soft, well-cooked rice pilaf completed this dish. The Pork was real juicy and tender, it was difficult to separate fat from meat! 

Baked Tiger Prawns with Tarragon Foam, P790

 Kurobuta Pork, P780

I still wanted to do dessert, but was really too full already. I looked at the dessert menu, only to put it down again --  I don't think I could finish any of the dessert options. But surprise, surprise, they gave me Flourless Chocolate with vanilla and orange slices on top, complete with a birthday candle! How nice!  (But no singing waiters, thank God! I don't think they should be allowed to do that anyway, in such a fine dine establishment). Flourless Chocolate tasted great, it was really rich and blended well with the tangy oranges. I was right not to order dessert anymore; since we didn't even get to finish it :(

Flourless Chocolate (compliments of the Chef)

 Rob enjoying his food :) 

 Me and my Birthday Treat :)

All in all, we found CAV to be a great place for birthday dinner :) Thanks to Rob for making my day extra special with his thoughtfulness, and for all the gifts and surprises as well -- it's going to be another great year! :)