The Inaugural Presidential Suites Dinner Series

Robb Report Philippines officially launched its inaugural Presidential Suites Dinner Series last week at an intimate gathering co-presented with Royal Salute, celebrating the Watches and Jewelry Issue. The evening brought together watch connoisseurs, jewelry experts, and tastemakers at a dinner defined by craftsmanship, refinement, and conversation.

The dinner was held at The Peninsula Suite.

Held at The Peninsula Suite of The Peninsula Manila, the experience centered on exquisite pairings: the rare and exceptional whiskies of Royal Salute, harmonized with a special menu created by The Peninsula’s executive chef, Rémi Carmignani, for the occasion.

A Feast Paired with Time

Guests were given several different expressions of Royal Salute, from its signature 21-Year-Old Blend to the 30-Year-Old, to pair with the different courses.

The four-course dinner unfolded as a journey of flavor and heritage. It began with foie gras terrine, a dish of delicate richness paired with Royal Salute’s iconic 21-Year-Old Signature Blend. From there, guests were treated to a sumptuous second course of Palawan lobster with gnocchi. The main course, melt-in-your-mouth WagyuWagyuA Japanese beef breed celebrated for intense marbling that creates a buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture, graded on a scale where A5 is the highest. Wagyu is a luxury dining staple prizedGo to Wagyu Glossary beef, was matched with the 26-Year-Old Kingdom Edition Amarone Cask—a rare release that marries Scotch whisky tradition with Italian wine barrel finishing.

Binchotan-grilled grain-fed Japanese Wagyu striploin with sauce poive vert, which wasserved with pomme paillasson and black garlic.

Dessert was no less impressive. A decadent chocolate and coffee creation, its bitter-sweet profile offered a final counterpoint to the lingering warmth of a surprise pairing: the Royal Salute 30-Year-Old, its deep complexity resonating with the layered flavors on the plate.

“Le Chocolat”: dark chocolate cremeux, Davao coffee, and salted caramel ice cream.

Guiding the evening was Royal Salute brand ambassador Ed Tordesillas, who not only introduced each expression but also led the room in traditional Scottish toasts, underscoring whisky’s ceremonial role in bringing people together.

Watches, Jewelry, and Lively Conversation

As much as the night was about food and drink, it was also about the passions that unite Robb Report’s discerning community. Around the long table, conversations sparkled as brightly as the high jewelryHigh JewelryHigh jewelry refers to the most exclusive tier of fine jewelry, typically one-of-a-kind or extremely limited pieces created using rare gemstones and exceptional, time-intensive craftsmanship techniques. Maisons present high jewelryGo to High Jewelry Glossary pieces on display. Guests delved into the intricacies of horology, the rarity of certain gemstones, and the meaning of heritage in luxury.

One of the high jewelry presentations by Jewelmer.

From Jewelmer’s La Mer en Majesté collection, two remarkable high jewelryHigh JewelryHigh jewelry refers to the most exclusive tier of fine jewelry, typically one-of-a-kind or extremely limited pieces created using rare gemstones and exceptional, time-intensive craftsmanship techniques. Maisons present high jewelryGo to High Jewelry Glossary pieces were presented, their golden South Sea pearls and masterful settings embodying the Philippines’ own legacy of craftsmanship. On guests’ wrists, meanwhile, some of the most iconic and collectible timepieces in the world made understated appearances. Heritage classics like the Patek Philippe Calatrava and Cartier’s enduring Santos in different iterations were spotted. Statement icons like the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy and Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas Dual Time stood out, alongside rarities such as the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual and a diamond-set Patek Philippe Nautilus.

The evening’s wristwear was not remarkable just for the variety or value of the watches, but the manner in which they were worn: discreetly, with quiet confidence. This was not a crowd that equated horology with ostentation; rather, the collection of timepieces present that evening formed a glittering constellation of history and design, reflecting a connoisseurship that prizes discretion over display.

A Setting of Symbolism

Adding to the evening’s atmosphere were Royal Salute bottles whose stunning designs and color palette beautifully decorated the suite and blended harmoniously with the elegant and understated interiors. The collection included the royal blue bottles of Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend and the clear vessels of the 21-Year-Old, which showcased the deep amber hue of the blended grain whisky. Standing out were the magenta bottles of the 26-Year-Old Kingdom Edition Amarone Cask whiskys, as well as the very regal black and emerald themes of the box and bottle of the 30-Year-Old.

There were also the bespoke centerpieces designed by Jo Curates. Bright daisies and gerberas, arranged to echo the faces of watches, stood in vessels crafted from sheets of steel—an artistic nod to the precious metals and craftsmanship that define both fine watches and jewelry. The effect was striking: a reminder that even in floral design, symbolism and artistry can speak to the night’s overarching theme of luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary as a dialogue between time, craft, and culture.

The Beginning of a Tradition

Brian Hontiveros and Robb Report Philippines’ Cars and Watches Editor, Carl Cunanan.

The Presidential Suite Dinner Series is envisioned as a recurring experience, each edition exploring a different facet of luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary—whether through fine spirits, gastronomy, horology, or design. This first dinner, co-hosted with Royal Salute, set the tone: intimate, thoughtful, and unforgettable.