Mesa Filipino Moderne welcomed its newest brand ambassador Dingdong Dantes, the popular star of GMA 7, with a buffet spread of best selling and iconic Mesa dishes at the Food Hall SM Aura yesterday afternoon. 
With an efficient and gorgeous Host Mara Aquino , the festivities commenced with the introduction of the bigwigs of Foodee Global Concept followed by the main man himself Dingdong Dantes, and ended with the formal signing of the contract and an open forum to the media. #RoadTo100 with Dingdong Dantes
Asked what the hashtag means and why Dingdong Dantes was chosen to be its newest Brand Ambassador, Eric had this to say…
“This year will end with 65 stores. Vision is to have 100 stores by 2021. With Dingdong, much sooner hopefully and who knows internationally as well…”
“Mesa needed a push or an accelerator….”
“Mesa embodies wholesome modern family man.. needed a modern Filipino family man who is wholesome. So that’s why we chose Dingdong and he fits the bill well and represents the Mesa brand to the fullest”
– Eric Dee , COO Foodee Global Concept
Awards
As Mesa celebrates its 10th year, it also looks back and is thankful for awards won .
The prestigious Food Retailer of the Year bestowed by the Philippine Retailers Association and the T. Dining Best Restaurants Guide Award were testimonies to the hard work and the visionary leadership of Mr. Ricky and Eric Dee.
The Food
“Authentic, Regional, Filipino recipes in a modern, stylized and unique way”
Mesa is one among notable brands under FOODEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS which is also home to Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan and Hawker Chan, The Food Hall, Tsuta Ramen, Kam’s Roast, Foo’d, Pound, Flatterie, Llao Llao, Sunnies Cafe and Bench Cafe, to name a few
Earlier the buffet spread included …
Baby Squid in Olive Oil
A stand out among all dishes served earlier, I just loved how tender and flavorful the baby squids were. The crunchy slivers of garlic where a delight, providing a contrast in texture which made the dish more interesting. It was a bit on the salty side when eaten by itself but when paired with steamed rice, a balance of flavors is achieved.
Crispchon . Think chopped cracklings of suckling pig enveloped by malunggay wrap then dip in chili garlic, lechon sauce or hoisin sauce (?). You can also have it stir fried or eat it as is. I tried the crispchon wrap expecting the crunch following a bite of the green-lumpia-like food. Sadly what I got was a bubble gum texture from a sorry looking piece of lechon skin. I was luckier with the second “lumpia” I got though 
Perfectly balanced notes of sweet and savory, the Mesa Braised Beef , Mesa’s version of Beef Rendang, was soft, tender, and flavorful. A result no doubt of several hours simmering with the delicious gata or coconut cream. Two cups of rice please
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| Crispy Catfish Salad |
Tinapa Roll
I love lumpia in general so an addition of tinapa or smoked fish into the filling was something of a delightful surprise. Though nothing new, it was still something I always look forward to eating as starter or even main course!
Salted Egg Prawns
A current addiction of mine, anything salted egg gets my vote especially Mesa’s Salted Egg Prawns. Like the baby squid, this dish needed to marry cups of steamed plain rice to tone down the saltiness a bit. But once wedded, a perfect balance of flavors results.
Overall, a wonderful afternoon witnessing the formal welcoming of the new Brand Ambassador of Mesa and enjoying its Pinoy cuisine. Congratulations MESA , Foodee Global Concepts and Dingdong Dantes.
“Dingdong is the best representation of where we want to take MESA as a brand. He is a modern Filipino family man who puts his family first and settles with nothing but the best for his family . In the same way, MESA treats its guests as its own family – nothing but the best in food, service and ambiance for them here at MESA’
–Ricky Dee, CEO Foodee Global Concepts
“Through this collaboration with Dingdong and his team, MESA will be institutionalized as your go-to Filipino restaurant serving you authentic classic flavors served with a modern twist,”
Eric Dee , COO Foodee Global Concepts
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| photo by @johnbunag |
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| photo by @johnbunag |