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On August 9 , 2012 Republ iq wi l l be having yet another big event as they br ing in

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This Week’s Events

The thing about Spanish food in the Philippines is this: more often than not we’ve served a “Filipinized” version of it. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean that it’s not

good—sometimes, it’s just not authentic. Carlo Miguel, most known for his molecular gastronomy at Opus, decided he wanted to create a menu true to the food he’s used to, being of Spanish and Portuguese heritage. Beso at Bonifacio High Street Extension is all about affordable and uncomplicated food, which Miguel thinks is important; after all, that’s the way they do it in Spain.

Simplicity is key here at Beso; while the red walls and the mural of a matador and his bull are bold, everything else is toned-down and minimal, wooden benches and woven rattan chairs the seating of choice. Everything is designed to be the perfect backdrop, taking a backseat to your conversation and your meal, which after all should be the highlight in a “cucina vinoteca.”

Beso’s menu reads like an ode to the pig; a favorite animal of mine when properly cooked, it’s versatile and can easily stand up against a robust sauce or even the most delicate of flavors. And at Beso we see the

pig in all its glory, almost head to tail, from shoulder, to belly, to feet. The sticky pork-feet croquetas are a wondrous thing—crisp, delicate, then the second bite delivers on all the qualities one looks for in an offal dish—sticky, gelatinous, moreish. The pork belly is simple, but the crackling is excellent, giving you the crunch, that sound you look for in perfectly cooked pork skin. But pork is at its best here in its most straightforward preparation: the lomo, chorizo, and jamon, all from the Iberian pig (regarded as the best by most hog connoisseurs), prove that Beso lets the quality of ingredients speak for itself.

The seafood, when simply cooked, is great as well; the squid a la plancha is fresh, and will most likely make one forget every other rubbery, tepid piece of calamari they’ve had in lesser restaurants.

The team behind Beso has achieved here what they have in their other domicile, Draft—a great, communal place where one can dine well without having to think about anything other than having a great time. After all, what should one expect from a place whose name was conceived at 1:45 A.M., between friends and after a couple of rounds?  □

SPAIN AND SIMPLE Sometimes, there’s no need for reinvention. Tapas bar Beso brings the best of Spain back to the table

B Y p a m e l a c o r t e z

Elsa’s KopjE is a luxurious oasis in the wilds of Meru National Park in Kenya, Africa. It was named after Elsa the lioness—made famous by wildlife conservationists George and Joy Adamson’s biographical 1966 book and film, Born Free—who was released into the wilderness of Meru after being raised by the couple in the late 1950s.

The word kopje means “small hill” in Swahili. The five-star lodge blends into the hillside of Mughwango Hill, the site of George Adamson’s original campsite. Every cottage affords guests the ultimate room-with-a-view, uniquely designed and crafted, incorporating the natural features of the rocky hillside.

Meru is vast with arid, open plains dotted with doum palms and baobab trees and lush vegetation along thirteen rivers, like green ribbons, that bisect the park. Visitors will see a more diverse range of species than in any other park or reserve: beisa oryx, gerenuk, elephant, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, lesser kudu, Grant’s gazelle, leopard, lion, cheetah, rhino, and the rare, elusive Greater Kudu. Meru is also famous for its bird life, including riverine and forest species as well as the arid dry country species.

The nine stone and thatch guest cottages are crafted around the natural features of the hill. Paved paths, lit by lamps at night, lead from each cottage to the comfortable open bar, lounge, dining room, and infinity pool. The ultimate “pool with a view” (it was named one of the “World’s Coolest Pools” by the Daily Telegraph) looks out across the plains, perfect for winding down after a game drive or guided walk in the bush.

Every cottage is uniquely designed. The generous double or twin beds are romantically swathed in netting. The bathrooms are sumptuous: showers or baths made out of stone, modern flush toilets, bidets, and double basins.

Elsa’s Kopje is renowned for its delicious cuisine, combining North Italian recipes with more unusual dishes (such as crispy tempura vegetables, aubergine, feta and tomato Stacks with parmesan snaps and Danish layer cake). Dinner is almost always held outside, with candlelit tables laid out under the stars.

Activities include game drives in open-sided safari Land Rovers, driven by knowledgeable driver-guides, all members of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. Guided walks are led by a Professional Safari Guide and accompanied by a Ranger. Other attractions include bush breakfasts and sundowners and visits to the Tharaka tribal village on the southern boundary of the park.Winner of the Good Safari Guide’s “Best Safari Property in Africa” Award, Elsa’s Kopje is certainly one of the most elegant lodges in Africa.

HoW To GET THERE: Asia to Africa Safaris (3/F, Lapanday Center, 2263 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati, 812-2728; www.atoasafaris.com) specializes in organizing high-quality safaris to Africa. Since 2002, they have been creating tailor-made and customized trips to suit every client’s interests and budget.

INTO THE WILDDreaming of an African holiday? At this five-star lodge—carved into the former lair of a famous lion—you get luxury cottages with a killer view in one of best national parks of Kenya

The word kopje means “small hill” in Swahili. The five-star lodge blends into the hillside of Mughwango Hill, the site of George Adamson’s original campsite.

WEEKlY DIspaTCHEs FRoM RoGUE MaGaZINE WEEK oF jUNE 3, 2012

The articles in this section were originally published in ROGUE magazine. The views and opinions expressed or implied herein are those of the authors and ROGUE magazine and do not necessarily reflect those of Business Mirror.