There are meals you want to be invited to and there are entire days so legendary that you want to be a part of them. The Wisniewskis’ home is one of those havens where one actually questions where they are. The amount of pampering and pleasure one gets from this place is just unheard of where I’m from, and will remain one of the highlights of my recent trip to Manila.

The twist they create on local dishes seems to open the diner’s eyes and make them nod agreeably, saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The overload of fresh colors and aromas only complimented this kitchen that was built for entertaining.

Salads, ceviche, summer rolls.

This was the intention of our hosts, of course. Hotel and restaurant management team Anabel and Tom Wisniewski of Raintree Philippines, a family-owned business that manages four restaurants in Makati (Museum Cafe, Chelsea Market Cafe, Mr. Jones, and Momo), surely spoil their guests in line with their training. The food was superb, the service staff was attentive, and after the long meal they offered massages and a dip in their backyard pool and waterfall.

I still cannot believe that was in Manila.

Dishes from that wonderful afternoon:

Fresh lumpia with peanut sauce

Tanigue ceviche

Green mango salad

Seafood Bicol Express (left) and Lamb kare-kare (right)

Lamb adobo and rosemary

Salmon sinigang

Staff attending to the dishes

Jackfruit Sansrival

Chocnut Caramel Cake

Two cakes and mango ice cream