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Gourmands have new reason to drive up to Tagaytay—Chele Gonzalez’s comforting new menu

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RHIA GRANA

<p>Mikel Arriet didn’t have to look long and hard for a chef that could take on Anya Resort Tagaytay’s in-house restaurant Samira. “I am part of the LTB Philippine Chefs Association. Everyone was saying one thing, ‘Chele, Chele, Chele,’” the resort GM recalls to ANCX over lunch. A chef himself, Arriet knew they were right. “I’ve known [Chele] a long time so it was an easy decision to make,” he says.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Santi Elizalde, president and CEO of Roxaco Land Corporation, which runs Anya Resort and Chef Chele Gonzalez." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/2samira.jpg"/><figcaption>Santi Elizalde, president and CEO of Roxaco Land Corporation, which runs Anya Resort, and Chef Chele Gonzalez unveil the logo of Anya Resort&#x27;s in-house restaurant.</figcaption></figure></div><p>It was easy too for the Spanish Chele Gonzalez, multi-awarded chef behind Gallery by Chele in BGC and co-founder and senior culinary consultant at ADVIChE Food and Beverage Solutions Inc., to take the Anya offer. The desire to create new experiences for diners has always been a big motivating factor for this kitchen wiz. Apart from Gallery by Chele, he also has Enye by Chele Gonzalez at Crimson Resort &amp; Spa Mactan. When the Anya post came up, he thought it’s about time gourmands south of Manila experience dining Chele style.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Samira " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/3samira.jpg"/><figcaption>The warm and cozy interior of Samira by Chele Gonzalez</figcaption></figure></div><p>Samira by Chele Gonzalez is focused on bringing a warm, creative and innovative experience, says the famed chef. For this, he created a menu not limited to Spanish or modern Filipino fare but drew inspiration from different cuisines around the world. He wanted to offer a variety to vacationers who would most likely be staying at the resort for the weekend and have multiple meals at the restaurant. </p><p>Arriet says he only had two requests when Gonzalez was drafting the menu—make the starters “fun and playful,” and make the main courses simple yet satisfying. “Honest,” he added. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Foie Gras and Mango Waffle" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/6samira.jpg"/><figcaption>Foie Gras and Mango Waffle</figcaption></figure></div><p>An important section of the menu are the ceviches, salads, and tartare, which Gonzalez made sure to be very refreshing, perfect for tropical weather. “It’s guaranteed to whet your appetite,” the chef assures. Tapas are an expected feature, of course, not only because of the Spanish chef but because the family running the place—the Roxases—are of Spanish descent. The tapas that made it to the menu are their selections. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Seafood Rice Crisp Cracker" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/8samira.jpg"/><figcaption>Seafood Rice Crisp Cracker</figcaption></figure></div><p>Rounding out the menu highlights are the rice dishes—risottos to different kinds of paella—and a number of stews. Many people go to Tagaytay for the <em>bulalo</em> but to give it that Chele style, the chef gives the beef shank and bone marrow soup a Cocido twist. Anya’s <em>bulalo</em> consists of different meats (pork, beef, chicken) that are slow-cooked for several hours, with different kinds of chorizos thrown in. “This is a more intense, powerful version of the <em>bulalo</em>,” says Chele.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="US Angus Beef Tenderloin" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/9samira.jpg"/><figcaption>US Angus Beef Tenderloin</figcaption></figure></div><p>The chef even created a four-course menu to highlight the cocido experience. This consists of croquetas; garbanzos soup; the compango (selection of meats), cocido paella, and Chele’s Mama Fries; and the chef’s signature Burnt Basque Cheesecake.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Compango" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/5samira.jpg"/><figcaption>Compango, Cocido Paella and Fries </figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Chef Chele Gonzalez" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/10samira.jpg"/><figcaption>Chef Chele says the menu of Samira by Chele Gonzalez is inspired by different cuisines around the world.</figcaption></figure></div><p>When asked for his favorites on the menu, Arriet struggles to pick just one or two. “Many, many,” says the Spanish gentleman. He adores the playful combination of flavors in Chele’s Foie Gras and Mango Waffle and the <em>Bulalo</em> Tacos. He loves the Grilled Octopus with Ali-oli, which leaves a lovely, smokey flavor in the mouth.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Fresh Coconut Ceviche " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/7samira.jpg"/><figcaption>Fresh Coconut Ceviche</figcaption></figure></div><p>The bright, fruity, spicy forkfuls of the Fresh Coconut Ceviche appeals to this writer. And the light and refreshing Buko Pie in Textures (re-imagined Tagaytay buko pie), totally hits the spot, a perfect dessert in the lingering summer heat.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Buko Pie in Texture" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/04/4samira.jpg"/><figcaption>Buko Pie in Texture</figcaption></figure></div><p>You can enjoy the six-course set menu for P2,950++. Add P1,700 if you wish to have the dishes paired with wines by the restaurant’s in-house sommelier. The four-course cocido menu is P1,990++. Add P990 if you’d like a wine pairing with it. Samira by Chele Gonzalez accepts walk-in diners, but if you wish to make reservations, you may call or send a message to +639989553630.</p><div><em>Photos courtesy of Samira by Chele Gonzalez</em></div>

By appointing the acclaimed Spanish chef to head Samira, Anya Resort is shaking up the Tagaytay food scene 