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“Metis” means mestiso or mixed in French!  One of the most sought after restaurants in Bali! Securing a table means making a booking at least a week in advance.  We only decided that afternoon that we wanted to go to this beautiful restaurant.  Good thing I have friends in high places. LOL!  We were able to get a seating at 9pm.

Imagine the setting – an elegant U shaped space in the middle of the rice paddies.  Every single element in the restaurant is a study in hushed elegance.  As you enter, a gallery is presented to you with the most interesting oddities.  Each piece has the potential to becoming an elegant souvenir of Bali.  There are two other small boutiques lining the restaurant: one selling jewelry and the other selling doodads and whatnots.  I love this concept of shopping/dining as both are my most favorite activity. LOL!

A gorgeous gallery greets you as you enter METIS.

This is the bar area where we waited for our table.

The view of the restaurant from the Bar.

I love the Hacienda feel of the place!

Out table was not ready as of 9pm so we were led to the bar.  The bar was on top of the rice paddies and I found this quite amusing as I never thought of rice paddies as elegant but somehow in this setting, elegance is really the apt description.   While at the bar, we discovered the most delicious chocolate martini on the planet, Nix and Charina downed two of these before dinner. LOL!  I took that as a sign that this will be one unforgettable evening.

Wish this was out table but alas we had to wait another 45 minutes.

The restaurant was so packed!

NIx and Charina lounging in the bar.

Walked around the restaurant and found the stairs to the second level. I like it!

The view from the top.

Our table took quite some time to be available and after waiting for 45 minutes we finally got our table.  On normal occasions, this would have driven me batty but since we were all having such a great time, we all got past the wait very quickly.

Me and my friend Frank! Funny that most of us wore the same color that night!

Olivier showing me some wine suggestions! I love his choices!

Love birds! Uri & Charina!

The menu was beautiful – a true mix of dishes that really defined what Metis was all about. Simple food executed in the most tantalizing ways.  I will let my photos tell the story for all of you!  If you only eat out in Bali once, you have to make this METIS!  You will not regret it!

Olivier and Uri started with the Tar-Tar plater, 3 versions of a Tar-Tar, Tuna, White bait and salmon.

Jed ordered the deadly Foie Gras special! OMG! Just looking at it already gives me a heart attack! LOL!

Then came some escargot, which was packed into some mushrooms!

Tried to be healthy by ordering a goat cheese salad with roasted tomatoes! It was beautiful!

Nix had some perfectly cooked pork belly! The flavor reminded me of Lechon kawali.

Shared the grilled seafood platter with Olivier which was perfect!!!!

Nix and Olivier.

Then came the beautiful soufle'! It was just presented in a really beautiful way!

We also ordered the rasberry soufle' which was heavenly!

Frank had to have some lemon tart! I did not try it but it looked like a smore.

The cocktail of the night! The best chocolate martini I have ever tasted!

The facade of Metis! Thank you for a beautiful evening!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Shopping is my cardiovascular workout when I am traveling!  LOL!  Seriously though, I love to shop!  Half the time, I just actually look and putter and see how each store merchandises their items.  I seldom buy anything because half the time I always say I can make that or I can find it in Manila. LOL!  However I can spend hours and hours just looking.

Shopping in Bali has vastly improved since the first time I visited.  I love how strong the “boutique” culture is and there are actually very few malls!  Most of the boutiques are small and very personal that I just find everything so charming.  Nix and I are tireless shoppers and we just keep on going and going!  This entry is all about what we found beautiful!  Let me share this with all of you!

I thought that this divider was kind of chic and cool!

This beaten up table has loads of potential, I love the patina of age. Somehow you can't fake that kind of finish.

I was inspired by the Alila batik blocks that I considered getting some? However I decided not to go there. LOL!

OMG! I loved these! I just had to have it! Wild boar skeletons! How chic is this?!

There is something dark and strangely beautiful about it!

Nix and I fell in love with these too, but we did not buy them because we were not sure if we could take them back home to Manila. Although we really wanted them.

These spine skeletons were also so chic! I love how they make any alcove so inspired. I think these are whale bone? Not so sure?

Cute arrangements of spoons!

I loved this store, I love how they merchandised their items.

Beautiful beaded baskets! The colors make it modern and very attractive.

I had to take this photo of Nix in this peculiarly named store! LOL!

HUGS!

RAJO!

A week ago, I invited all my readers to a small contest -  to come up with an artwork or an image that would best describe my collaboration with the famous Italian furniture brand!  After viewing all the entries I chose two winners!  In addition to being invited to the event, I am also giving the winners a limited edition tote bag which I love and I use practically everyday!  My office will be getting in touch with the winners and I do hope that I get to meet you personally and thank you for the time and effort in joining my tiny contest!  LOL!

The winners are… drum roll please……. Erick Dizon!!!!  I love the energy of the illustration and I like the way the graphic patterns create interest.  My collection actually looks very close to this and I really liked that Erick was able to capture this.

The second winner is….. Plett Bolipata!!!!  I love his entry as it was the most unique and cerebral!  Most of all, I love the patterns that the “mosaic” created, looking at this entry I am already inspired at how I can translate Plett’s vision into the collection!

To all who joined I appreciate the effort and to the winners!  See you tomorrow!  I will give the prize to you personally!  Thank you again for joining!

HUGS!

RAJO!

One of the “must do” when your in Bali is to head over to Warung Made for some Balinese Chow!   Each time I am here I have to make it a point to come over and have some Gado-Gado which is like a vegetable stew in a peanut sauce and some yummy chicken Sate’ !  This restaurant first opened in 1969 and from its humble beginnings has grown into a major tourist destination.  It has now two locations one in Kuta and another in Seminyak.  It now also has villas to rent out, you can check their website at www.madeswarung.com for more information.

I love the cheeky environment and the festive attitude.  I also love the idea that the restaurant is surrounded by several shops and boutiques, so while waiting for your food, you can do a bit of shopping!  Now tell me who does not love that?   The price of the food here is also very reasonable making the place busy and always packed!  I strongly suggest making a reservation to guarantee a table.  I prefer coming to Made’s Warung at night because they have evening entertainment.  The last time I came here, they had Indonesian singers. This visit, they had Tango dancing!  LOL!  What ever it is you fancy just head over to this place for a bit of Balinese flavor and color to your trip!

Made's warung is always busy! That evening it was filled to the brim!

Cheeky decor!

I spot a pattern story brewing here. Charina, Nix and Uri.

Lots of famous people have dined here. I like the authenticity of the place.

Another shot of the interiors.

The evening's entertainment varies from each night. This time it was Tango dancing!

Our yummy spread!

HUGS!

RAJO!

For those of you who were “young” enough to remember XANADU can all sing the song with me…..”A million lights are dancing and there you are a shooting star.  Xanadu…Xanadu…ooooh oooh…. LOL!   I have a DVD copy of the original movie as it is CAMP at its highest form!  Not to mention the height of Olivia Newton John’s popularity.  I failed to see this show of Broadway so you can imagine my delight when I heard that my friend Bobby Garcia of Atlantis is bringing the show to Manila!  The show will be opening in a few days and I for one am super excited to see this show!   The poster alone with all the rainbows is giving me the feeling that I am going to love this show!  LOL!  Be smart and get your tickets early!  See you at the show!

HUGS!
RAJO!

I am the type of traveler who is driven by design destinations!  I am very fortunate that I have friends who think exactly the way I do.  My trip to Bali was all about these beautiful experiences each more breathtaking then the next!  I am very grateful to my friends Frank Mamaril, Jed Doble and Olivier Letant for organizing an amazing 4 days!  All your “surprises” were beyond my expectations!

This was part of the entrance wall, giving me a very bau-haus first impression.

Loving the wall decor as contrast to minimal aesthetic of the entire hotel.

This metal chandelier echoing the bamboo elements enveloping the lobby.

the view as you enter the hotel! I had to remain still in order to contain myself from shrieking in delight! LOL!

I am really digging the mid-century vibe! I want my beach house to look like this!

Elegant seating areas.

There were several pools around the resort, this was my favorite.

I love how every little detail was thoroughly thought out, like the way the towels are rolled up in the lounge beds.

This cantilevered space was breathtaking! I love how it looks like a chic shanty!

I could imagine myself lounging here for hours on end.

I just have to share this with all of you because I fell madly in LOVE with ALILA ULUWATU!  It is probably one of the most beautiful resorts that I have ever been to!  I literally went NUTS that afternoon and tried to capture everything in my camera.  I must have taken more than 200 photos of this place. LOL!

Batik print blocks lined the dining room walls.

Perfect proportions!

They had lovely touches like fans to keep cool and anti bug spray or a cooling lotion. How chic is that?

We started our lunch with a soothing gazpacho!

While the food was being prepared, I had to take photos. The sky was just so beautiful that afternoon.

We all decided to share the mezze sampler which was all so delicious!

A refreshing caprese salad! I love how this makes me think of summer!

The view from where I sat.

We then moved on to some salads!

The restaurant in the resort is called CIRE. This crab pasta dish was lovely and rich!

My Bali gang! Thank you for celebrating our anniversary with us! Frank, Olivier, Charina and Jed!

Dessert came in a very artful manner. I love how Frank looks so happy!

I found everything so perfectly attuned to my  aesthetics!  I was really so inspired that I wanted my dream beach house to look like this.  For those design fanatics out there, this is really going to make you smile!   We had beautiful lunch at their restaurant called CIRE, which was really good, however the experience of visiting ALILA ULUWATU was really one of the highlights of my trip!  Enough talk….enjoy the photos!

After lunch my group began exploring the other areas of the resort. I love this amazing table! I really want one of these.

Every single detail of the place was just beautiful!

A view of the resort from another angle.

This is how that cantilevered shanty looks from the inside.

Breathtaking views!

Trying to be FIERCE!!!! The best accessory any gay man could ever have is a fabulous FAGHAG! LOL! We all love Charina Sarte!

Can this place get anymore perfect?! looking at all of these photos makes me want to fly back there now!

The interior design of the place evokes this rich quiet quality that is so soothing. This is the library of the hotel.

Elements from the SPA.

Charina Sarte just chilling!

Nix's final pose before we had to sadly leave! It was hard for everyone to leave, I promised myself to stay here in my next visit to Bali!

Our customary photo op.

HUGS!

RAJO!

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Jl Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak

Desa Pecatu

Bali, Indonesia

www.alilahotels.com

Leave it to Rico and Tina Ocampo to come up with something so stunning with PETRIFIED WOOD!!!  I have not seen the actual pieces myself but with the images I see here, it looks so covetable!  I will definitely make a special trip to their showroom just so I can take a peek at how these beautiful items look and feel like. I suggest you all do the same!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Mark your calendars, ladies and gents!  In a few days, I will be unveiling my new collection for the HOUSE OF LAUREL!!!!  The collection is called SCI-FI AFRICA!

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We will be partnering with MOROSO for this event!  The collection will be unveiled in their superchic showroom surrounded with really beautiful furniture!  If you are interested to go, I am giving away two invites to this event!  All I want from you is a really cool graphic artwork or sketch that would perfectly visualize the merging of RAJO+MOROSO.  Please submit all your entries before August 22,2010!  Please submit your entries via email at rajolaurel@pldtdsl.net. I will announce the winners in my blog!  Who knows, if I am impressed I may even throw in some more gifts!!  LOL!  I will choose two winners!  I am so excited!

HUGS!
RAJO!