Lifestyle and food mecca at Felcris Centrale

 

“Lifestyle and food mecca at Felcris Centrale”
Sun.Star Davao, Nov. 21, 2015

“Simple but elegant; international but uniquely Filipino; and comfortable yet trailblazing”. Essentially, this is the message that Felcris Centrale’s Chimes Specialty Boutique wants to convey in its new logo design.

“Chimes continues to uphold its founders’ vision of providing Dabawenyos a shopping haven for one-of-a-kind finds and high quality items”, says Cindy Yap, Junior Vice President of the Felcris Group of Companies. “True to its origins, this upscale specialty store is the place to go for the discriminating shopper who fancies seeing the world without leaving the comforts of home and family”, she adds.

This one-stop lifestyle store offers “a wide variety of products, ranging from Japan’s Shiseido cosmetics; the United States’ Clinique cosmetic and skin care line; Victoria Secret and Bath and Body Works fragrances and body pampering products; Brazil’s Ipanema and Grendha footwear; Thailand’s Santas towels and lines; and Paris’ Longchamp Bags to its very own clothing line, Canvas”, Cindy shares.

Joining these world-class brands with the opening of its newest store are the clothing lines of renowned local designers such as Maureen Disini, Charina Sarte, Regilioso, K & Company, Florence Fling, and the fabulously chic accessories of Aranaz and Jo of Joyce Oreña.

At the recent launch of the Chimes Specialty Boutique, the charming and witty fashion icon Tessa Prieto-Valdes delightfully hosted the stylish affair. VIPs who especially flew in from Manila to grace the occasion included fashion stylist to the stars Liz Uy; top fashion blogger Camille Co; “Asia’s Next Top Model” guest judge and beauty specialist Lourd Ramos; Under Armour endorser and actor Rocco Nacino; among others.

But, the most recognized and fussed over celebrity who came to the event was no less than the guest of honor, our beloved Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who gamely posed for countless photos with the invitees who could never get enough of him. Admitting to be a loyal patron of the Felcris Group of Companies since its early days, he thanked the Yap family for believing in Davao; creating job opportunities for the people while offering premium products sourced locally and from across the globe.

After shopping at Chimes Specialty Boutique, an unforgettable meal at Perch Modern Kitchen + Bar, which nests at the second floor of the Al Fresco area of the Felcris Centrale, is an absolute must.

As one enters Perch, you will be welcomed by its wooden and rustic feel. The bar has a character on its own with black background and gold borders.

Chef Raffy Sunico, head chef of the Manila-based gastropub, LOCALE, leads this gourmet venture in collaboration with Perch’s own Chef AJ Reyes.

My family and I went to Perch on a drizzling Friday night to unwind with good eats while enjoying the relaxing music of Acoustic Fridays.

Armed with our insatiable appetites, for starters, we indulged in Perch’s scrumptious Truffle Fries -- chunky and crispy batonnet potato fries in truffle paste and truffle oil followed by the heavenly Candied Bacon, 12-hour smoked candied bacon baked to perfection. The mouthwatering Roasted Bone Marrow may be sinful but worth every calorie and cholesterol!

The perfectly brined Whiskey Barbeque Chops which is French-cut pork chops grilled and glazed with Perch’s special whiskey bourbon barbeque sauce and the Perch Rising Sun Angus Burger Steak, grilled Angus beef patty in a nest-like bed of potato hash topped with raw egg yolk, were equally satisfying.

Other delectable must-try items on the menu included the Seafood Pasta, Angus Basil Meatball Pasta, Truffsilog, Broccoli Cheese Rice, Three Cheese Truffle Pizza, Chicken Broccoli and Cheese and Panko Crusted Oyster Sisig.

With Chimes Specialty Boutique and Perch Modern Kitchen + Bar, Felcris Centrale seals its claim to be the lifestyle mecca as well as foodies’ paradise of Davao!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

Special thanks to Kenneth Hao for the Chimes Specialty Boutique launch photos .