An Evening of Filipino food and Filipino inspired cocktails was hosted by Six Taste food tours and Marian the Foodie. On Sunday, November 20, 2011, Nola's in downtown L.A. was transformed into a Filipino inspired event for all foodies to experience. The ambiance was cozy and modern, with dessert sampling stations for the guests to taste. The food was presented buffet style, with entertainment provided by Freddy Ruxpin and a photo booth set up for all guests to strike a pose. The atmosphere provided a scene for guests to mingle and showcase Filipino food in a more refined setting.

Nola's Filipino American Executive Chef Edric Ocampo created the evening’s menu, which consisted of the following:

Breakfast Egg Roll 
garlic rice, tocino, egg 

Adobo Chicken Wings

 
Shrimp Fritter (Okoy)
shrimp, sweet potato, onions, garlic vinegar dressing

 
Lechon Carving Station
whole roasted pig, Manila style & Cebuano style lechons 

Even though Executive Chef Edric doesn’t currently work at a Filipino food restaurant, he is hoping that in the future he will be able to open up his very own. In the meantime, cooking traditional Filipino dishes at home and events like these keeps him happy.

Desserts were provided by local Filipino American business owners such as Ramar Foods, Magnolia Ice Cream with their version of “Turon” Ice Cream, Nastassia of Let Me Eat Cake Dessert Blog with her mini Ube Cupcakes, Oh Sue Sweet and their Chocolate covered Polvoron, and Kristine of Creme Caramel LA with her smooth creamy Leche Flan in Ube Macapuno, Green Tea/White Chocolate, and Pumpkin flavor. 

Filipino inspired cocktails with main ingredients such as calamansi nectar, fresh lychee and halayang ube ended the event on a satisfying note. Here’s a list of the special drinks that may inspire your next Filipino cocktail party:
 

Lychee Cucmber

ketel one, calamansi nectar, fresh lychee, fresh cucumber

Spicy Calamansi Margarita

corzo silver tequila, calamansi nectar, jalapeno, fresh lime juice, orange juice

Manila Mule

buffalo trace bourbon, calamansi nectar, ginger beer

Ube Passion

bacardi rum, fresh mint, calamansi nectar, halayang ube, passion fruit juice