thehungrykat1
The Hungry Kat
A lady who has a huge appetite for life!
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May is for Mother's Day at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Recognizing how important mothers are to each and every one of us, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila put together a longer, and more grand celebration in honour of the queen of the home, and what she holds closest to her heart, in May. Award-winning Lung Hin created a mouthwatering 10-dish Lauriat feast fit for royalty. From May 01 to 12, groups of five and ten will enjoy a heartwarming, authentic Cantonese banquet the whole family will truly savor, including succulent Braised Slipper Lobster with Porcini Mushroom Sauce, tasty Deep-Fried Beef Brisket with Sweet and Chili Sauce, flavourful Steamed Black Grouper, Parma Ham and Shitake Mushroom in Premium Oyster Sauce, and the bestselling Baked Macau Egg Tart dessert.
Gather the family on Sunday, May 12, for a memorable buffet lunch or dinner at the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, Cucina, as it showcases Asia's best dishes. Regional favorites, including Thailand's Pad Thai Noodles, Singapore's Laksa Soup, Indonesia's Chicken Satay with Peanut Butter Sauce, Vietnam's Rau Muong Xao Toi, China's Suckling Pig and India's Lamb Rogonjosh take centerstage on the lavish culinary table. Appetizers and salads, newly baked bread and delicious charcuterie, fresh seafood on ice, Japanese sushi and sashimi station, noodles station, premium meat carvings, and extensive dessert spread completes the exceptional culinary experience. Book a table for five, and one dines for free! Likewise, children below seven years old are free of charge.
Cafe Pronto offers a delicate cake that speaks volume of maternal love. Let Mom know how special she is with a gift of our Mom's Everlasting Velvet made of delicious, moist red velvet and cream cheese frosting. The 6-inch cake is available daily from May 01 to 12. Hip and cool mommies will find the perfect sips at Connect Lounge from May 01 to 12. Try the flirty vodka and Grenadine Momtini, or the vivacious tequila, triple sec and lemon juice concoction Momgarita for fit. These cocktails are also dressed for the occasion in decadent red, to add fun to a great bonding time.
Pamper Mom with an exquisite two-night stay experience, and let her be welcomes with a round of cocktails at Vu's Sky Bar or the Connect Lounge. Chocolates add a special touch to her turn-down service at each night, following a scrumptious meal of international favorites at all-day dining restaurant, Cucina, or authentic Cantonese cuisine at Lung Hin, at 25% off. For room reservations, please call (+63 2) 7720 7777. To #ExploreDiscoverExperience more about what the hotel has to offer, follow Marco Polo Ortigas Manila on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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BB.Q Chicken Opens Its Seventh and Biggest Branch at Ayala Malls Feliz
BB.Q Chicken, the ultimate destination for Korean-style fried chicken, has just opened its seventh and largest branch in the country at Ayala Malls Feliz. The Hungry Kat was invited to the exclusive Grand Opening last April 9, 2024 which was attended by owners Luis "Chavit" Singson and his family plus a selection of media guests and personalities that made the event truly special.
You can find BB.Q Chicken's newest outlet at the fifth floor of Ayala Malls Feliz located along Marcos Highway corner Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig City. BB.Q Chicken is a global franchise known for its mouth-watering Korean-style fried chicken, made with 100% extra virgin olive oil. It is also well known for its appearance on hit K-Dramas such as "Goblin" and "Crash Landing On You," so K-Drama fans can feel like they are part of their favorite shows.
Filipino businessman and politician Luis "Chavit" Singson led the ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremonies for the country's biggest branch of BB.Q Chicken. He is the owner and Chairman of the LCS Group which brought the franchise to the Philippines. They opened their first branch in Bonifacio Global City in November 2022 and are expecting to open 10 more branches this year.
BB.Q Chicken has expanded to 57 countries worldwide, operating a total of over 4,000 franchisees. The Ayala Malls Feliz branch comes with elegant and spacious interiors which is something you don't see at other Korean fried chicken outlets. It looks more like a hotel restaurant rather than a place you can visit at the mall.
BB.Q Chicken actually stands for "best of the best quality chicken." BBQ Chicken believes that quality ingredients are the key to making their dishes stand out, using 100% extra virgin olive oil, the highest quality oil among olive oils, as a raw material for frying their chicken. This oil is often referred to as a "gift from God," giving the dishes their signature delicious and healthy taste.
We attended the grand opening with a couple of our friends to experience the best of the best quality Korean fried chicken. The girls are really growing up so fast.
BB.Q Chicken offers a wide range of dishes and beverages on the menu. They have juices, fruit shakes, sodas, beers, wines, and smoothies like the Ice Cream Float with Yakult (P169) with its big mug of Yakult shake topped with a scoop of ice cream. Everyone loved this and I actually ordered a second glass for myself.
They also have signature BB.Q cocktails like the Seouljito (P250) which has a combination of peach soju, lime juice, mint leaves, ginger ale, and ronin peach. You can also try the K-Iced Tea (P250) which has soju, Monin lychee, Monic kiwi, green tea, and lemon juice.
BB.Q Chicken offers more than just fried chicken with its savory appetizers, sides, signature sauces, and diverse flavors to satisfy any craving. We started with the Fried Sampler (P565) which comes with a trio of layered onion rings, French fries and cheese sticks.
The Chicken Caesar Salad (P325) is a healthier alternative with its generous salad and crunchy vegetables topped with moist golden fried chicken strips and crispy bread.
For a real taste of Korea, go order the Mixed Gimbap (P990) as it comes with combination of different flavors of gimbap including bulgogi, spam, spicy fishcake and tuna mayo. This can be shared by the entire table with plenty to spare.
There's also the Kimchi Fried Rice with Egg (P345). This premium kimchi fried rice can go along with any of their fried chicken dishes.
BB.Q Chicken's menu is truly diverse, especially with the Rose Seafood Pasta (P445). This dish is a mix of Eastern and Western flavors with seafood and spaghetti mixed in a delicious blend of spicy sauce and tomato cream sauce.
Then there's the Cheese Dakgalbi (P755), a Korean-style braised boneless chicken cooked with vegetables including potatoes, carrots, leeks, and onions topped with lots of cheese.
Now let's get to the main event, the Korean fried chicken! BB.Q Chicken offers several flavors and variants for their chicken like the Sweet Soy Chicken (P580-half / P1050-whole) where sweet and savory soy sauce meets its crispy chicken. This was probably my favorite flavor that afternoon.
The other variants come with a little more spice like the Gangnam-Style Chicken (P595-half / P1070-whole). This crisp and golden olive chicken is stir-fried in high heat with chopped leeks and garlic. It's spicy, sweet, and sour all at the same time.
Those who really want it spicy should go for the Red Spicy Chicken (P580-half / P1050-whole) with its spicy chili seasoning, Vietnamese chili powder, and exotic spices.
One of the most popular dishes at BB.Q Chicken is the UFO Chicken (P1575). This big platter comes with a combination of two of their best selling chicken flavors, the Secret Chicken and Cheesling Chicken. The Secret Chicken is a golden fried chicken covered in bb.q secret sweet sauce made with about 20 ingredients including Korean chili paste, onion and garlic. This is the signature Korean fried chicken taste that is known all over the world.
On the other hand, the Cheesling Chicken has fried chicken bathed and toasted with a generous amount of cheese powder. You can also order these two flavors individually.
The UFO Chicken is served with a bed of cheese fondue heated on a portable stove so that makes it doubly cheesy. The cloudy mist that envelopes the platter gives it a majestic entrance that befits this grand dish.
We would like to thank the LCS Group and BB.Q Chicken for inviting us to join the grand opening of their newest branch. I'm planning a trip to South Korea soon so this is a great introduction to the food and culture of Korea.
BB.Q Chicken Ayala Malls Feliz
5/F Ayala Malls Feliz, Marcos Highway corner Amang Rodríguez Avenue, Brgy. Dela Paz, Pasig City
www.bbqchicken.com.ph
www.facebook.com/BBQChickenPH
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Sintâ by Chef Ariel Manuel is Our New Favorite Fine Dining Restaurant in Tagaytay
There's a new fine dining restaurant in Tagaytay that really impressed us and made our weekend trip all worth it. Sintâ is a charming and beautiful property where Culinary Artistry Meets Inspirational Views, especially with its fantastic landscape overlooking the majestic Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.
The Hungry Kat was invited to visit the new Sintâ restaurant a few weeks ago and it was a great way to escape the scorching summer heat in Manila. We had a leisurely Saturday drive all the way up to Sintâ which is located in a slightly different corner of Tagaytay. You can find it at 5385 Mystic Hills, Sitio Catmon, Ligaya Drive, which is closer to the Tagaytay Highlands and Picnic Grove side of the ridge. Just look for Sintâ Restaurant on Waze and you can't miss it. Traffic is actually much better here as most of the restaurants and tourists can be found on the other side near the Rotunda and Sky Ranch.
We were welcomed at the lobby reception by their very friendly and knowledgeable restaurant manager. Sintâ is an enchanting culinary haven helmed by the legendary Chef Ariel Manuel who is well known for his Lola Dad's and Bistro Manuel restaurants. Sinta emerges as a beacon of transformational dining, seamlessly blending sumptuous cuisine, captivating art, and awe-inspiring vistas to craft an unforgettable journey for the senses. Welcome drinks were served and we got to relax here a little bit after our long drive. Parking will not be a problem since they have a huge parking area right in front.
The place actually looks more like a hotel or resort lobby rather than just a restaurant. Formerly known as The Observatory Tagaytay, Sintâ brings exquisite art and food together to create a very lovely dining experience. It is open from Tuesday to Sundays from 10:00am to 3:00pm and from 4:00pm to 10:00pm.
What makes Sintâ different from the few other fine dining restaurants in Tagaytay is this majestic view. There are many casual dining restaurants in Tagaytay where you can just go and chill any time of the day. However, for those special occasions and important dates, the popular fine dining restaurants we know are mostly located outside the ridge and does not come with a backdrop like this.
One level down from the reception floor is Santâ's cocktail lounge. This al fresco dining area is a nice place to enjoy some drinks while waiting for your friends to arrive.
Sintâ's commitment to excellence extends beyond their culinary offerings to their meticulously curated beverage menu. They have a selection of handcrafted cocktails, premium wines, and artisanal spirits, thoughtfully chosen to complement their culinary creations and enhance your journey through flavors.
We ordered a few of their specialty beverages while enjoying the cool Tagaytay breeze. The Mt. Taal Sour (P320) is a signature cocktail that comes with a combination of whiskey, lemon super juice, tamarind, aquafaba, and aromatic bitters. It's a fruitier and more Asian version of the popular whiskey sour.
Another specialty beverage is the Nest and Mirror (P290). This one has rum-infused cinnamon white cacao, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, orgeat, and cacao bitter. They also offer classic cocktails like the Aperol Spritz, Tequila Sunset, and Champagne cocktails. You can also have signature mocktails like the Pineapple Fresca, Cucumber Spritz, and more.
This structure is actually just the lobby and cocktail lounge. The main dining room is a bit further down the property. The garden can also be the venue for outdoor barbecues or other sunset events.
The main dining area is as gorgeous as you can get! But before we go down to the dining hall, let's explore some of the other areas around the restaurant.
What sets Sintâ apart is its commitment to curating a holistic dining experience, where every element - from the meticulously crafted dishes to the carefully selected art pieces adorning the walls - serves to stimulate the senses and nourish the soul. You can spot interesting art pieces all around the property and the restaurant manager will be more than happy to share the history and stories surrounding these.
Would you believe they even have hotel rooms right inside the property? For big events like weddings, Sintâ offers two big suites for the bride and groom plus their families. These come with panoramic views of Taal Volcano as well.
Now let's go down to the dining hall. You will immediately notice this elegant art structure at the top which is actually an inverted version of the lake and volcano. Isn't that cool?
You can find tables for bigger groups as well as smaller tables for intimate dates and gatherings. This would probably look so romantic and colorful during sunset.
We were also welcomed by none other than Chef Ariel Manuel who runs the kitchen at Sintâ. The restaurant is owned by PYC Foods Corporation which also owns and operates One World Deli, Pardon My French, Tokugawa, and more. PYC is an importer and distributer of high-quality meats and seafood, so there will be no shortage of premium ingredients here at Tagaytay’s newest dining destination.
From farm-fresh ingredients to innovative culinary creations, every bite at Sinta is a testament to Chef Ariel's passion for excellence and dedication to his craft. The menu at Sintâ showcases some of the classic favorites found at Lolo Dads like the Baked Oyster with Foie Gras (P650/pc). This was our first time to try this popular starter and we were really amazed!
These are big Hokkaido oysters baked with chardonnay cream reduction served on its own shell and placed on top of soba noodles. To make it even more impressive, a piece of foie gras is added to complete the set. It's an astounding combination of flavors that really shows Chef Ariel's mastery of French and Asian cuisines.
The Tartare (P1,420) is also one of the specialties at Sintâ. This is prepared live tableside with its brunoise of Angus beef tenderloin plus condiments and apple kimchi.
It doesn't get fresher than this as the server will grind the raw beef and mix it together with the ingredients while you watch. Sintâ might be one of the very few restaurants in the country that does this tableside. We loved the tartare as it doesn't even taste like raw beef at all.
Another appetizer we enjoyed was this Fresh Ocean Trout Scallopine (P1,300) and ceviche with radish kraut, soy jelly, mustard leaf puree and salmon roe. Sintâ gets its fresh seafood from the best regions in the world so you know that the quality of their dishes are really excellent.
For our mains, my mother in law had the Chilean Seabass (P3,340) which is baked with a caramelized unagi crust, truffle, potato terrine, and doused with a ginger and green onion sauce. The combination of seabass and unagi is truly a match made in heaven.
We also ordered a few items From the Grill. You can't go wrong with the Maine Lobster (P4,280) which comes with two pieces of Maine lobster tail (450g) served with vegetables and sauces. The lobster was cooked perfectly and was absolutely one of the best I have ever had.
Another amazing main course you can order is the Eye of Rib Eye (P2,770). The juicy loin of rib eye steak is topped with its sisig-like rendered fat, making it doubly delicious. Onion jam and anticucho sauce are also added to complete this unique steak dish.
If you love eating lamb, then you must order their Rack of Lamb (P3,590). This comes with three huge pieces of Herb de Provence crusted rack of lamb with melted garlic and Roquefort cheese risotto. The lamb is very tender and doesn't taste gamey at all.
To end our fantastic lunch, Chef Ariel served his specialty French dessert, the Souffle (P550). Unlike other versions, this one is a coffee-flavored soufflé with baked cappuccino meringue and vanilla crème anglaise. Then there's also the Declension (P550), a declined mango and mascarpone cheese “mille feuille” with berry and balsamic ice cream.
Sintâ Restaurant by Chef Ariel Manuel is now our new favorite fine dining restaurant in Tagaytay. The elegant property fuses art and culinary creativity from the moment you step inside the lobby until the end of your gastronomic journey. Add the majestic view of Taal Lake to the story and you have the perfect dining destination that will make the drive to Tagaytay all worth it. Congratulations to PYC Foods Corporation for another great new venture.
Sintâ Restaurant
5385 Mystic Hills, Sitio Catmon, Ligaya Drive San Francisco, Tagaytay City
(0962) 453-3570
www.sintarestaurant.ph
www.facebook.com/sintarestaurantph
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Lunar Coffee: A Celestial Brew from Moonleaf Tea Shop
Prepare for a cosmic awakening as Moonleaf Tea Shop unveils its latest creation for 2024: Lunar Coffee. Embark on a journey beyond the ordinary with Lunar Coffee, the newest addition to Moonleaf's iconic beverage lineup. For years, Moonleaf Tea Shop has been the go-to tambayan and the heartbeat of refreshment for Filipinos, captivating taste buds with innovative concoctions and an unwavering commitment to quality. Now, with Lunar Coffee, they're breaking new ground and reaching for the stars in the world of coffee.
Exclusive to select Moonleaf branches: Moonleaf Matatag, Moonleaf Ever Commonwealth, and Moonleaf Guerilla Marikina, Lunar Coffee invites you to explore a universe of flavors with an extensive selection of 8 flavors. From timeless classics like Americano and Cafe Latte to signature creations such as Spanish Latte and Wintermelon Latte, Moonleaf seizes the moment to serve their most loved blend. With prices starting from P85 to P149, Lunar Coffee ensures that the magic of the cosmos is within reach of its customers. Whether you crave an energizing morning boost or a comforting afternoon treat, Lunar Coffee promises to orbit with you in your daily routines.
But the journey doesn’t end there. With Lunar Coffee now available for delivery through FoodPanda and GrabFood, the cosmic wonders of Moonleaf's latest creation are just a tap away. It’s time to put your space suit on because we are exploring the moon with Lunar Coffee! Visit Moonleaf Tea Shop’s website at www.moonleaf.ph or follow their social media via @moonleafteashop & @lunarcoffeebymoonleaf on Facebook and Instagram for inquiries and updates.
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Dream On This Summer at VU’S Sky Bar and Lounge
Make it a happening summer night at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s hip and trendy Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge, where the daydream of tropical sips and tunes will make your evenings come alive!
Find your next urban tropical destination in Ortigas, Pasig from 18 to 27 April 2024, where you can unwind and relax, complete with live entertainment and a wide spread of Polynesian favorites, for P1,200 net consumable per person: Tasty Maui Waui coconut shrimps, Crab Rangoon Sticks, succulent Bora Bora Mussels, tender Manhune Lamb Burger, Passion Chicken and delicious Inverted Burnt Cheesecake with Coconut Jelly and Pineapple Jam.
Complete your paradise itinerary by indulging in our Summer Drinks: gin-based Bae Watch, with pineapple juice, cucumber and chili, Bora Bora Brew of vodka, cucumber, and lemon, and Sun’s Out Guns Out, a whiskey, strawberry, lemon and soda concoction. On 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 April 2024, learn from our expert bartenders how these cocktails are made, and enjoy free flow punch cocktails, to boot! To #ExploreDiscoverExperience more about what the hotel has to offer, follow Marco Polo Ortigas Manila on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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The Peninsula Manila Celebrates Hellos Kitty's 50th Anniversary with a Special Afternoon Tea Set
In celebration of five decades of cuteness and friendship, Hello Kitty and The Peninsula Manila are taking things to a new level with a Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea at The Lobby! Is there anything Hello Kitty can’t do? Since her creation back in 1974, the cute and cuddly character has been on TV, collaborated with fashion powerhouses and even cut an album, quickly becoming one of the buzziest names in the fashion industry. The list is long, and it has made her a serious cultural icon.
Starting April 15, 2024, The Lobby is inviting fans and lovers of the lovable pop icon to share an irresistibly sweet and savory Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea that the hotel’s talented Head Pastry Chef Annalyn Solano and her team have crafted, using fresh seasonal fruits and ingredients. Inspired by Hello Kitty’s signature red bow, the cute collection of afternoon tea classics includes Strawberry Financiers and Strawberry and Rose Tea Sandwich Cookies, and comes with the most lovable and cuddly Hello Kitty and The Peninsula Bear limited-edition plush toy set.
As tall as five apples, and as heavy as three, Hello Kitty is a bright little girl with a heart of gold. She loves to bake cookies and play the piano. She dreams of one day becoming a pianist or maybe even a poet. She has a gift for music and English. Her favorite food is apple pie made by her mother. Hello Kitty and her twin sister Mimmy are best friends.
If you’re ready to fall in love with Instagram-worthy creations of culinary art paired with the most adorable plush toys, visit The Lobby from April 15 – May 15 and enjoy The Peninsula Manila’s delectable 50th anniversary Hello Kitty-themed Afternoon Tea. This special afternoon tea set is priced at P 5,000 (with a pot of tea) and P 7,000 (with two flutes of Champagne) which comes with a Hello Kitty and The Peninsula Bear limited-edition plush toy set. It is available daily from 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm at The Lobby.
For inquiries or more information on The Peninsula Manila’s Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea please call The Peninsula Manila at +63 2 8887 2888, ext. 6694 or email [email protected] for Restaurant Reservations, or visit peninsula.com.
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Eat and Box All You Can at Marriott Café's Famsgiving Thursday
Thursday nights are truly special at Marriott Café with their Famsgiving Thursday dinner featuring Filipino heirloom recipes prepared by Marriott's chefs. For the month of April, Marriott Hotel Manila makes it even more exciting as they just launched their calibrated Famsgiving Thursdays offer with a Box All You Can fruits and vegetables promotion at the Farmsgiving Market, in collaboration with Rural Rising Philippines (RuRi), a program that aims to support the livelihood of local farmers.
Famsgiving Thursdays is a weekly dinner buffet at the Marriott Café featuring a selection of heirloom recipes celebrating Filipino cuisines and family thanksgiving. Priced at P3,700 nett per person, this buffet is available every Thursday dinner throughout April 2024. Aside from enjoying all the special recipes and home-cooked dishes prepared with love, guests can also support a very noble cause as local farmers can sell their produce and ingredients directly to hotels and restaurants.
Famsgiving Thursday was initially introduced in 2023 aimed at creating the nostalgia of family feasting and celebrating the rich Filipino heritage through the food served at Marriott Café. The partnership with RuRi makes this meaningful dining promo into even more purposeful initiative, hence taking the notch higher by being able to save the lives of farmers by backing up their source of living via the Rescue Buy Program.
Marriott Hotel Manila is all about preserving and celebrating the most cherished family traditions. It’s a place where we come together to create those heartwarming moments, and it’s all made possible through “Famsgiving Thursday.” This special dining experience highlights a curated selection of timeless Filipino heirloom recipes, all meticulously prepared by the talented relatives of our dedicated chefs at Manila Marriott Hotel. These dishes symbolize appreciation and gratitude, making Famsgiving Thursday an opportunity to savor heirloom recipes that celebrate Filipino cuisine and thanksgiving.
For Famsgiving Thursday, guests can enjoy all these special recipes scattered among the different buffet stations. You can start with the Lumping Sariwa ng Rizal by Chef Earl Jacinto and his mother in law Blesilda Besin.
Long before this partnership with RuRi has been established, Marriott Manila on its own capacity has been involved in several activities that support local farms and farmers by employing sustainable culinary practices such as local food sourcing to support farmers in the country, urban farming by maintaining its own indoor precision farm machine for herbs, spices and vegetables that are customarily imported from abroad, responsible fishing with its sustainable seafood program, and use of cage-free eggs to aid in the increased quality of life for hens, therefore enabling them to produce healthy table eggs, the same that are served to hotel guests.
Some of the other Famsgiving Thursday dishes you can find are the Pork Kilawing Labanos by Chef Alvin Valino and Aunt Emma Gatchalian. Other inspired dishes include the Pork Poacher de Alfonso, Pinakbet, and Siquijor Style Chicken Mataar.
The Binakol was one of my favorite dishes that evening and I really like this flavorful coconut broth cooked with chicken and vegetables.
The other international buffet stations will still be available at the Marriott Café during Famsgiving Thursday. Guests can grab their favorite sustainable seafood items and have them cooked according to their preference.
The carving station is always one of the highlights at the Marriott Café so I was happy to find this big lechon sitting proudly on the counter.
Aside from the very crispy lechon, guests can also find the Kare Kareng Pata, Pork Meatballs Escabeche, Lamb Mechado, and Sinanglay na Isla.
There's also plenty of steak for everyone. Ask the chef for a slice or two of their roasted beef and have it grilled the medium or medium-well doneness.
The Japanese station also has its lineup of sushi, sashimi, and tempura on display. You can also have a plate of teppanyaki freshly prepared with your choice ingredients.
Over at the Chinese station, there are dimsum, noodles, roast chicken, roast pork, and other specialties to discover.
My favorite station at Marriott Café is actually the Paluto station. Here you can ask for their big mud crabs and have it cooked as Singapore Chili Crab. They also have their Catch of the Day fish that can also be prepared steamed, fried, or cooked with butter and garlic.
Beverages are also included in the buffet price including juices and selected cocktails like Rum Old Fashioned, Manila Sunrise, Peach Daiquiri, and Sangria.
For desserts, there's a medley of cakes, pastries, sweets, fruits, kakanin, and other delectable treats waiting for all the guests.
Make sure to drop by the Ice Cream and Gelato Station for unlimited scoops of their signature flavors. I really liked the Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato with KitKat Spread as well as the Peanut Butter Gelato.
Aside from the regular Famsgiving Thursday dinner buffet, for the whole month of April, guests will also get an exclusive access to the Farmsgiving Market where they can play the Box All You Can game for fresh farm produce to take home. Each diner will get one coupon which entitles them to one box.
Executive Chef Meik Brammer explained the mechanics for the Farmsgiving Market together with Rural Rising Philippines’ founders Ace and Andie Estrada. RuRi is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting distressed Filipino farmers in achieving economic stability and pride in their work. Through fair and sustainable market practices, RuRi aims to support 100,000 farmers to become sustainable and debt-free by 2030 under the Rescue Buy Program of RuRi.
Marriott Manila has set up the Farmsgiving Market just outside the Marriott Café for the Box All You Can game. The farmers have brought their produce and goods here which have come all the way from the provinces and farms.
Once the timer starts, guests will have five minutes to grab all the fruits and vegetables they can get that will fit inside the Famsgiving Box. I hurriedly went to get some broccoli and guyabano together with some potatoes and tomatoes.
Everything that you get should be able to fit inside the box and pass through the steel gate, so make sure nothing spills over because all the excess items will be placed back on the counters. If you want to get another box, you can always buy more at P799 per box. These items would cost a lot more at groceries so you can actually just come to Marriott and participate in the Farmsgiving Market without dining at Marriott Café.
I really had fun at the Famsgiving Thursday with Farmsgiving Market at Marriott Café. You can enjoy a great buffet dinner and take home very fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting a noble cause for only P3700 per person. For those who are entitled to avail of 30% discount like Club Marriott diners, access to the Farmsgiving Market is available for an additional fee of P800 nett only. This promotion is good only for the month of April so hurry and book your tables now!
Famsgiving Thursday at Marriott Cafe
G/F, Marriott Hotel Manila, Newport City, Pasay City
8988-9999 / (0917) 584-9560
www.marriottcafemanila.com
www.facebook.com/marriotthotelmanila
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Don Don Tei Opens First Philippine Outlet at Robinsons Galleria
Osaka's finest donburi is now in the Philippines! Don Don Tei just opened its first Philippines branch at Robinsons Galleria last month. The popular franchise brings with it a menu that has been thoughtfully adapted to cater to the Filipino palate, while showcasing an exquisite array of Japan’s most celebrated rice bowls and desserts.
The Hungry Kat attended the media launch for Kineya Don Don Tei Philippines last March 19, 2024. The exclusive event was graced by Don Don Tei's top executives who flew here from Japan to participate in the grand opening. This was actually just two days before my Holy Week holiday in Osaka so I was really excited to try their famous donburi for myself.
Don Don Tei Philippines is open daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm. You can easily find the restaurant at the second floor ADB Wing of Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas.
Don Don Tei, which translates to "Rice Bowl House," made its debut in Abeno, Osaka, in November 1988. Starting with a modest 14-seat bar, it has since grown into a beloved chain with a presence in Hong Kong, the United States, and now, the Philippines. The restaurant is celebrated for its wide selection of donburi, making it a go-to spot for those craving Osaka's finest rice bowls.
It was a festive event with drum performances welcoming guests and mall goers to the media launch. Don Don Tei opened its doors to the public the next day on March 20 so we had the entire outlet to ourselves that evening.
Don Don Tei's parent company, Gourmet Kineya has been at the forefront of bringing authentic Japanese dishes to diners since its inception in 1967. With over 300 shops spread across Japan, the brand has built a reputation for excellence, rooted in its guiding principles: simplicity, convenience, taste, and affordability. These principles have not only shaped the brand's approach to dining but have also paved the way for its international expansion, including the much-anticipated opening of Don Don Tei in the Philippines.
Marissa So, executive vice president of Oishi Gourmet Foods Inc., the company that franchised Don Don Tei, revealed that the team at Don Don Tei, from the kitchen to the service staff, has undergone rigorous training with Japanese experts. “The high-quality ingredients, from the sauces to the meats, and even the presentation of every bowl, have been strictly supervised to meet the company’s high standards. This commitment ensures that each dish served not only is authentic but also represents the meticulous care and attention to detail that Japanese cuisine is known for.”
The launch of Don Don Tei in the Philippines marks a significant chapter in Gourmet Kineya's journey, as it brings the legacy of authentic Japanese cuisine from Japan to an even wider audience. Don Don Tei stands out not just for its delicious food but also for its commitment to making Japanese cuisine accessible to everyone. It comes with an "Easy Japanese" restaurant concept offering the convenience and affordability of fast casual dining with the quality of an authentic Japanese restaurant.
We were seated with our friends Stonibert and Joan Lim from The Food Alphabet as well as Jeman Villanueva from Orange Magazine. All of us were excited to try some of the specialties at Don Don Tei.
Hideto Nishijima, Managing Director of Business Strategy and Planning, spoke on behalf of Gourmet Kineya CEO Atsushi Mukumoto. “The arrival of Don Don Tei in the Philippines furthers Gourmet Kineya's dedication to sharing the joy of simple, delicious, and affordable meals with the world. We believe in the philosophy of 'Easy Japanese' - where simplicity meets taste. Our extensive training with Japanese culinary experts and our strict adherence to quality ingredients ensure that each meal served is not just a dish, but an experience,” he said.
We started with a few of their unique beverages. Don Don Tei introduces an array of citrus drinks from the Yuzu series, allowing customers to choose among flavors like peach, raspberry, rose lemonade, and ginger beer.
We then had some of their Japanese appetizers like the California Maki (P275) and the Tempura Maki (P325). These are great ways to start our culinary journey to Osaka.
Don Don Tei's specially curated selection ensures a dish for every preference, blending the warmth of traditional rice bowls with the crisp pleasure of perfectly fried tempura. So of course we had to try their specialty Ebi Tempura (P520). This comes with 5 big pieces of black tiger prawn tempura.
The tempura was perfectly crunchy with its light batter that gives way to the flavors of the black tiger prawns. Each bite was just so good! Make sure to dip it in the tempura sauce for an even better experience.
At the heart of Don Don Tei's menu is the donburi, a beloved Japanese comfort food. These rice bowls are topped with a variety of ingredients, ranging from beef and pork to fish and chicken, each cooked in unique sauces. Guests can enjoy the crunch of their Special Ebi Tendon (P450) with its deep fried battered Black Tiger Prawns served with mix tempura of squash, eggplant, and green bell pepper drizzled with their signature Don Don Tei tendon dashi. Other tempura specials include the Ebi Tendon and the Kakiage Ebi Tendon. Every donburi ordered comes with miso soup, offering guests a taste of Japanese hospitality.
Don Don Tei’s offers a selection of donburi that cater to every taste. The Katsudon (P295) combines the crispiness of a breaded pork cutlet with the comforting warmth of eggs and the sharp tang of onions on a bed of Japanese rice.
There's also the Katsu Curry (P320) which marries the crunchy texture of a breaded pork cutlet with the rich, complex flavors of Japanese curry. On the other hand, the Tonkatsu Don features a crispy, breaded pork cutlet drizzled with a tangy sauce.
I suggest you try the Sukiyaki Jyu (P395) This premium donburi comes with a rich mix of beef, vegetables, and tofu in a sweet soy broth that adds a touch of decadence to the menu.
Don Don Tei also features fish and seafood donburi. The Nagoya Style Unagi (P770) features grilled eel basted in a sweet sauce, served over rice in a traditional lacquered box. The eel's tender texture, combined with the caramelized sauce, makes for an elegant dish that's rich in flavor and tradition. The Grilled Mackerel (P560) emphasizes the natural flavors of the sea with perfectly grilled mackerel served over rice. You can also try the Salmon Teriyaki (P585) which fuses the rich flavors of salmon with a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze, served over rice.
As for my personal favorite, my choice is the luxurious Wagyu Yakiniku Don (P675). This exquisite donburi comes with grilled Wagyu beef that reveals the smoky essence of Japanese barbecue. Each slice of wagyu is so tender and flavorful, it's definitely the best beef bowl I've had in the city.
For those seeking a more comprehensive dining experience, Don Don Tei also offers the option to upgrade their donburi to a Teishoku version, which comes with an ensemble of side dishes including potato salad, green beans, carrots kobachi, and Tsubozuke pickles.
The dessert menu offers its own sweet allure, presenting traditional Japanese treats with a modern twist. The Green Tea Monaka Ice with Azuki stands out, providing a perfect, refreshing finale to a sumptuous meal. Crafted using the traditional Japanese confection known as Monaka Shells, the Monaka Ice encapsulates a delightful blend of textures and flavors. This combination of the crispy Monaka Shells with lusciously sweet ice cream creates a dessert experience that's both unique and immensely satisfying. Diners can choose from either Vanilla Monaka Ice, Cheese Monaka Ice, or Green Tea with Azuki Monaka Ice.
We would like to thank Ed Uy for inviting us to the media launch and the entire staff and management of Don Don Tei for hosting our lovely tempura and donburi dinner. Visit them at the second floor of Robinsons Galleria and have an authentic and affordable taste of Osaka and Japan in Manila.
Don Don Tei Philippines
Level 2 ADB Wing, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
(0995) 482-5354
www.facebook.com/kineyadondontei.ph
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Taste the Fusion of 7-Eleven and SPAM® in These Newest Japanese and Korean Snack Drops
A single whiff of a golden brown-fried SPAM® can instantly bring nostalgia to any Filipino. This luncheon meat is a no-fail comfort food choice many of us reach for due to its savory flavor and because of how easy it is to prepare. But while the country has fallen in love with its rice and hot pandesal pairings, there are now more ways to savor it like the first time. Convenience go-to 7-Eleven takes it with a twist by joining hands with SPAM® for its newest delectable duo under the 7-Fresh line: SPAM® Egg and Cheese Onigirazu and SPAM® Egg and Cheese Korean Egg Drop Sandwich.
Whether it’s the always-on-the-go, work-week warriors, or foodies who like all things trendy, 7-Eleven sure knows how to tickle everyone’s taste buds with its buck-saving and unique innovations. Just last year, the 7-Fresh line introduced its Beef Bulgogi Onigirazu and Korean Egg Drop Sandwich which both became hits. This time, customers can enjoy these goodies with another crowd favorite, SPAM®. One’s a snack and two’s a meal with SPAM® Egg and Cheese Onigirazu priced at only P79. This Japanese-originated treat is wrapped delicately with a nori sheet stuffed with fluffy eggs and mayo dressing. It’s a meaty double delight as customers can choose between SPAM® or beef bulgogi filling. A choice that is sure to solve one’s hankering for something savory.
Fans can also relish SPAM® through its Korean Egg Drop Sandwich form. Retailing for P99, the SPAM® and Cheese Egg Drop Sandwich is a popular food most often seen in K-Dramas that is filled with cheese, egg, and SPAM® in a soft, buttery brioche bread—an eggcellent symphony of Korean flavors made accessible. This, too, comes with another meat variant loaded with bacon and corn instead. Industry-leading 7-Eleven is known as the paboritong kapitbahay primarily because of its creative food concepts that are easy on the pocket but big on the taste. Always exciting its loyalists, Pinoys can now enjoy their comfort food in a can in a newer, foreign flair right at every corner of the neighborhood. Take first dibs now and have a taste of SPAM® and Cheese Egg Drop Sandwich and SPAM® Egg and Cheese Onigirazu at select Luzon 7-Eleven stores.
Cheers to 40 years with 7-Eleven and like us on 7-Eleven Philippines Facebook, follow @711ph on Instagram, and @711philippines on Twitter and TikTok, and visit our website www.7-eleven.com.ph for more information.
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Buffet Town in Greenhills Offers Unique Buffet Dining Experience
There are so many all-you-can-eat restaurants around the city, but I just discovered this new buffet restaurant in Greenhills that offers a unique buffet concept combining beautiful aesthetics, sustainable dining, and an unlimited selection of Japanese and Asian favorites all in one charming venue.
Buffet Town is the newest buffet restaurant that foodies are now talking about. It recently held its soft opening last January 28, 2024 and can be found along Annapolis Street in San Juan, right where UNO Seafood used to be. The Hungry Kat was invited to visit Buffet Town last week and the first thing we were amazed with was the free Valet Parking that was available for guests. This is a very welcome bonus especially inside the very busy Greenhills shopping area.
The restaurant comes with a Japanese-insipred setting and offers a cozy and relaxing dining ambiance for families and friends. It has a very spacious dining area that also has several semi-private rooms for bigger groups. I love the colorful Japanese murals and designs you can find all around the venue.
We were hosted by Michelle Chan, one of the owners of Buffet Town who also happens to be a classmate of my husband, Dexter. Michelle is also the owner of 8 Spoons, a catering business that is a favorite among the local community, and they decided to expand further with their first new restaurant venture.
So what makes Buffet Town different from the rest? Unlike other restaurants which bombard you with long lines and a pile full of dishes on your plate, Buffet Town lets diners experience more by offering small individual potions served on cute plates. Each station comes with its own specialty dishes and you can simply get the ones that you want to try.
Let’s start at the Appetizers station where a variety of Korean and Asian appetizers await like the Kimchi, fish cake, spicy Korean chicken, tangsuyuk, and assorted banchan.
There’s also a Salad Station where you can find specially-prepared salads and greens displayed on the table. Other items include ohitashi okura, kabocha goma, and the popular Nasu Miso which is a baked eggplant with cheese on top.
For those who love sushi, Buffet Town has a Sushi Oasis where you can pick your choice of sushi, rolls, and maki topped and filled with all kinds of ingredients. Items are always replenished quickly at Buffet Town so you don’t have to line up and wait for your servings.
There’s plenty of salmon and tuna sashimi as well, including some spicy tuna and spicy salmon mixed with tempura flakes. If some of the portions seem too small for you, don’t worry because you can always ask the chefs to prepare your own personalized serving with the quantity and size that you prefer.
My favorite here was The BT Aburi station where you can ask for a serving of their aburi dish for the day and see it prepared and blow torched at their live cooking station.
I ordered the Salmon Aburi which was so good especially with its torched cheese melting into the fresh salmon slices. They also had the Beef and Mushroom Aburi which is an item you don’t often expect to see in buffets but rather in high-end Japanese restaurants.
The Tempura is always a must-have so you can still get a many pieces as you want. There are also a lot of other fried Japanese items like tonkatsu, fried ika, tori karaage, kakiage, and tofu furai. Offering these dishes is smaller portions also helps in lessening food wastage as diners don’t get overwhelmed when they suddenly get more than they can handle. This promotes food sustainability and helps the industry and the environment as well.
The Teppanyaki Station is also a popular destination with several dishes to choose from. These can be ordered from the server and they will prepare your dish and deliver it to your table fresh and hot off the grill.
Here are just some of the items you can find at the teppanyaki station. The Beef and Shrimp Roll Teppan comes in a beautiful plate combining meat and seafood. There’s also the Yasai Itame with its combination of healthy veggies.
The Mix Seafood Teppan is also a great dish combining tuna, shrimp, and squid with vegetables all in one plate.
There’s also a Yakitori Station and you can have chicken, beef, king oyster mushroom, or shrimp skewers cooked and delivered to your table.
Tracing its roots as a caterer, you will also find several cooked dishes on chafing trays here at Buffet Town. Among those on display were the Roasted Hainanese Chicken and Rice, seafood salpicao, steamed suahe, Laing, braised beef, and more.
The highlight of the buffet would be the carving station where two very meaty items are featured. The Bellychon is a pork belly lechon roll that comes with crispy crackling skin and juicy lechon meat. Add some liver sauce to complete the experience.
Just beside this is the Angus Lechon Baka, a glorious chunk of roasted beef that is just so delicious with its very tender beef slices. There are really so many dishes to choose from at Buffet Town but I didn't really feel overwhelmed because everything was served with the right portions.
But if you thought that was all, there's actually even more because each table at Buffet Town also comes with a hotpot bowl where guests can cook their own hotpot items. First, choose two from among the four soup flavors provided including Pork Bone, Sukiyaki, Tomato and Mushrooms, and Spicy Kimchi.
Then head over to the Hotpot Station to get your preferred items like fishballs, cheese balls, mushroom balls, shrimp, dumplings, veggies, and more.
Diners can also get unlimited servings of sliced beef and sliced pork so you can have a full hotpot experience together with your full buffet selection. What more can you ask for?
Beverages are included in the buffet price so guests can have bottomless glasses of fruit juices, chocolate, and yogurt drinks. There's also unlimited UCC Coffee which is something you don't often find in buffet restaurants.
To make your dining experience even more festive, live dance performances are held every hour or so around the venue, with special numbers for birthday celebrants or those celebrating special occasions.
To complete your wonderful dining experience at Buffet Town, head over to the dessert station where you can prepare and choose your own Hanami Dessert Box. Customize your box with nine assorted mini Asian delicacies including matcha cheesecake, panna cotta, creme brûlée, fruits, and ice cream with flavors like cheesecake, chocolate, mocha and lots more.
We would like to thank Michelle Chan for inviting us and hosting our delightful visit to Buffet Town. We really had a unique dining experience that is quite different from how we usually eat at buffet restaurants. It's a great place to meet up with friends and family since you can take it easy and bond over good food and good company. I'm surely going back here soon!
Buffet Town
43 Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan
(0908) 396-3009
Facebook Page
Instagram: @buffettownph
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The Fatted Calf Farmhouse Kitchen in Tagaytay Launches New Menu Items
I first visited The Fatted Calf at their original branch in Silang, Cavite. This location was just a little bit off from the main Tagaytay ridge but foodies still trooped regularly to this hidden gem. Last year, I heard some sad news that they were about to permanently close their restaurant because of problems with the landlord and the rent. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they eventually found a new bigger and better location where even more new diners can discover their farm-to-table specialties.
The Fatted Calf Farmhouse Kitchen is proud to present its new home in Tagaytay, bringing with it old favorites together with some new dishes for its loyal clientele. The Hungry Kat was invited a few weeks ago to revisit this charming restaurant and it was much easier to find them at their new location right along the Tagaytay ridge, just after the street leading to Antonio's Restaurant and right before reaching the Residence Inn Zoo.
You really can't miss them with their big sign along the main highway. The Fatted Calf closed its doors last January 2023 to prepare for the big move and they reopened later that year. The Fatted Calf now stands poised to embark on an exciting new chapter in its culinary journey, and eagerly waiting to welcome loyal patrons and curious newcomers alike to its fresh abode in Tagaytay.
There's more than enough parking available at the street level and down below at the main parking lot, a much-needed commodity here in busy Tagaytay. I was excited to meet up with the owners of The Fatted Calf, the husband and wife team of Jayjay and Rhea SyCip who have been our friends since we met them a few years ago.
Entering the restaurant is like a breath of fresh air. Would you believe that this was all designed by the landlady herself, Senator Loren Legarda? This was previously just a farm lot owned by the Senator but a fateful meeting between her and the SyCips at their previous restaurant turned into a beautiful new development.
I was met by another long-time friend, PR specialist Gwen Jacinto. The new restaurant greets diners with the familiar warmth of hardwood tables, all sourced locally with some coming from its previous location. The ambiance is further accentuated by the soft glow of hanging rattan lamps from Cebu. This homey yet sophisticated atmosphere sets the stage for a dining experience that is both relaxed and refined, making The Fatted Calf the perfect "fine casual" destination.
Helmed by the husband and wife tandem of chefs Jayjay and Rhea SyCip, The Fatted Calf was founded in 2019 and built on pure heart. Its name draws inspiration from the biblical parable of The Prodigal Son, where a father celebrates the return of his wayward son by slaughtering a fatted calf. The touching story of forgiveness, redemption, and love is at the heart of The Fatted Calfs philosophy, which believes that every meal is an opportunity to bring people together and create a sense of community.
This sense of community goes far beyond the dining tables and extends to the local farms and markets where the chef-owners source their ingredients. Jayjay and Rhea have forged strong relationships with farmers and local suppliers who share their dedication to social impact and giving back to the community and to the environment. Its farm-to-table approach not only guarantees the finest and freshest produce served in meticulously concocted ways, but it is also able to foster a sustainable and fair community through gastronomy. Tatler Dining Philippines recently awarded The Fatted Calf again as one of the best restaurants in the country for the third year in a row for 2024.
The restaurant also comes with an al fresco dining area embracing the cool Tagaytay breeze. Sustainability isn't just a buzzword thrown around at The Fatted Calf - it's completely integrated. They use whatever is around them. This ethos permeates every aspect of the restaurant's operations. The flowers from the coffee tree, when in bloom, are ingeniously transformed into a drink. The tiles were repurposed from an old building and now find new life as decorative elements within the restaurant.
A thriving oasis of greenhouses also sit in the backyard where Jayjay and Rhea pick the most succulent tomatoes at the peak of ripeness and a medley of farm-fresh vegetables and herbs brimming with vibrant colors, ensuring that every dish bursts with unrivaled flavors and the goodness of nature's bounty.
Chefs Jay Jay and Rhea told us the long and happy story of how they ended up with a new restaurant at this property, but while the designs and even Senator Loren's paintings can be seen on the walls, the menu and restaurant operations are totally theirs alone. They were excited to share with us 14 new items on the menu along with old favorites.
We started with their house rolls which are some of the softest and most enjoyable rolls I have ever had. Adding a touch of homemade butter makes it even more delightful. The refreshing Tarragon Iced Tea was also served.
For our Stirrings or appetizers, Chef Jayjay brought out this Grilled Ox Tongue. This version is a different way of serving ox tongue which some people may be hesitant to eat. He cooked it in Gojuchang sauce, giving it a Korean element to enhance or actually mask the ox tongue flavor.
The dish is then topped with radish puree, carrot curry puree, and edamame. Chef Jayjay has tweaked his cuisine a bit from its original Thai influences to more Japanese and Korean flavors.
Our next appetizer is the Edamame Hummus with Feta. The edamame puree is combined with olive oil and topped with malagos feta cheese. This was a really surprising dish that I was not sure of at first, but I ended up really liking it. You can use the ciabatta bread to scoop up the hummus.
We also had the Crab Croquettes which uses mud crab meat, crab fat, and kesong puti as ingredients. There's no way you can go wrong with aligue so this was truly an explosion of flavors in my mouth.
Everything looks fresh and healthy at The Fatted Calf because they really are. The Kale and Potato Soup comes with farm fresh kale and highland potato then topped with lump fish caviar to give it a salty flavor.
The Fatted Calf Farmhouse Kitchen also takes pride in their salads, getting their ingredients from Lucciole Farms in Amadeo and Grandfarmer's Farm in Alfonso, Cavite which follow the natural way of farming methods. The Crab and Potato Salad is a great addition to the lineup with its mud crab meat, crab fat, potato, and pickled kangkong. I was really impressed with the kangkong which had a unique fermented taste.
The Fatted Calf offers some new main dishes as well. The Steak Sandwich is a exciting option as it comes with Black Onyx Angus Flank Steak topped with malagos borracho and grilled mushroom teryaki. These are all wrapped in their housemade ciabatta bread.
The Duck Confit Bao has EDL Farms Duck topped with hoisin sauce, cucumber, and wrapped inside a homemade mantou bun. It's a new way of enjoying duck meat.
The Spaghetti Uni was one of my favorites that afternoon with its fresh uni on top of a creamy malagos borracho spaghetti. I could eat this any time of the day.
I also loved the Grilled Prawns with Adlai and Mushroom Pilaf. These are huge pieces of Bataan prawns cooked with lemongrass chimichuri and served with roasted vegetables. The Adlai and mushroom pilaf then offers a healthier alternative compared to your usual garlic rice.
The highlight of the new menu would definitely be the Thick-Cut Pork Chop from Jodini Farms. This organically raised pork from Tarlac is cooked to perfection and served with braised red cabbage, seared corn, Cebu corn grits and apple curry sauce.
Our Culmination menu comes with desserts from Flour Pot Manila by Chef Rhea SyCip. This colorful combination comes with Ubi Kinampay Cake, Banana Tatin, PS ILY, Buko Pie, and Apple Cake.
We would like to thank chefs Jayjay and Rhea for hosting our refreshing Tagaytay lunch at The Fatted Calf Farmhouse Kitchen. It's been a while since our last visit to the restaurant but we enjoyed this so much that we actually came back just four days later for the benefit dinner for Spanky Enriquez which was also held here. I'm sure The Fatted Calf Farmhouse Kitchen will soon become the next dining hotspot in Tagaytay city.
The Fatted Calf
Tagaytay Nasugbu Road, Tagaytay City
(0917) 789-2352
www.facebook.com/fattedcalfph
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The Cheng Dynasty Hotpot Offers Unlimited Hotpot, Sushi, Buffet and Teppanyaki
There's a new hotpot restaurant in Quezon City that's currently the talk of the town with its majestic interiors and luxurious hotpot menu that also includes a buffet and other premium add-on sets which makes its truly fit for royalty. The Hungry Kat was invited to try out one of the hottest new dining destinations in the city so I was more than ready to pay a visit to The Cheng Dynasty.
The Cheng Dynasty is a new Szechuan and Japanese hotpot restaurant that recently had its Grand Opening just a few weeks ago. You can find it along N.S. Amoranto Street (formerly Retiro) near the corner of Banawe Avenue where a lot of foodies go to find great dining places. If the character in their logo looks a bit familiar, that's because the restaurant is named after one of it's owners - toy and sneaker collector, DJ, vlogger, scion of the country's biggest foam producer Uratex, and now restaurateur, Big Boy Cheng.
The restaurant comes with an opulent but casual vibe, with most of the interiors in bright red and gold colors. There's plenty of tables for small and big groups, which is how a fun hotpot dining experience should be with.
There's also a semi private room at the back of the restaurant which houses some of Big Boy's personal artwork and art collection. Big Boy Cheng is a very prominent art collector and his Ronac Art Center in San Juan showcases contemporary art and pop culture displays.
The Cheng Dynasty Hotpot comes with several All You Can Eat options depending on your preference. The most basic set is the Terracotta (₱599) which offers their unlimited hotpot menu and is available from 11:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays and from 10:30pm to 1:00am daily.
The first thing to do with hotpot is to prepare your sauce. The Cheng Dynasty has a station where you can customize your choice of ingredients, but you can also request for their special sauce if you're not sure what you like.
Now it's time to try their hotpot! There's a time limit of two hours for each diner, but that's more than enough time to cook and enjoy all these delicious items from meats, vegetables, balls, and noodles. Just check the boxes of the dishes that you want to order and the server will bring these to you on a golden trolley.
We ordered some of our favorite items like the US Fatty Beef, Lean Beef Tenderloin, Shrimp, Squid, Smoked Duck Breast, Beef Balls, Lobster Balls, Golden Cheese Balls, Crab Roe Bomb, Golden Mushroom, and more.
You can also choose from their eight soup bases. The great thing about The Cheng Dynasty is that their hotpot bowls are all in individual sizes, so each diner can choose his own broth flavor. No need to share the pot with everyone else.
I chose the Tonkotsu soup base which has a flavorful broth made from pork bones. Just put your hotpot ingredients inside the golden bowls and wait for them to start boiling. It's as easy as that.
My husband ordered the Beef Sate soup base which comes with a meatier and saltier flavor. I really want to try their other flavors so I will surely do that on my next visit.
If you are feeling really hungry, another menu option is their Weekend Terracotta (₱699) which is available for lunch on weekends and includes unlimited hotpot PLUS an all you can eat Buffet selection.
It's rare to find a hotpot restaurant that also comes with a buffet, but The Cheng Dynasty lets you have all the tempura, tonkatsu, and chicken karaage that you want.
There are also plenty of other cooked dishes like the Lo Ba Chinese Braised Pork Belly, shrimp sotanghon, egg fried rice, and more.
If you want an even bigger buffet selection, head over to The Cheng Dynasty Hotpot from 6:00pm to 10:30pm for their Dinner Terracotta (₱899) where you can get unlimited hotpot and buffet PLUS as many trips as you want to the Sushi Station.
Aside from the aburi sushi, truffle maki, mani salad rolls, and other sushi variants, you can also get unlimited servings of the premium Scallop Gunkan and the Hunan Style Spicy Salmon and Salad.
If that is still not enough for you, then go for the Samurai (₱999) set which features all these unlimited hotpot, buffet, and sushi PLUS Unlimited Teppanyaki!
Choose from among the following teppanyaki dishes that will be cooked upon order: Miso Butter Beef Enoki, Pork Yakiniku, Salmon Yakiniku, Beef Pinsu, Shrimp and Garlic, Yasai Itami, and even Angus Beef Chahan.
I was already quite full so I wasn't able to try all of the teppanyaki options, so I'm surely coming back to sample these other tempting dishes. The Angus beef chahan will be first on my list next time.
Now if all those delicious and sumptuous items still leave you wanting more, then go for the ultimate menu that is fit for an emperor. The Emperor's Feast (₱1,299) comes with all those unlimited items mentioned above PLUS unlimited Shao Kao and a single serving from their Star Selection. Shao Kao are Chinese skewers which are grilled upon order. You can enjoy a selection of unlimited barbecued meats, balls, and vegetables that will be served and cooked on a skewer. It' a different way to experience eating these items that are usually just served for hotpot.
That's not all because the Emperor's Feast also lets each person get one serving of their deluxe Star Selection menu. You can order the Premium Sashimi Set which comes with salmon, ebi, and scallop sashimi. You can get your money's worth with just this dish alone.
Another option is the Emperor Cheng's Dragon Roll which has a tempura roll topped with unagi and salmon roe.
The Abalone in Chicken Essence with Crunchy Noodles is another premium dish you can order with your Star Selection. These exquisite abalone are beautifully plated on top of crispy noodles and doused with a special chicken sauce before being served.
We were all so full and satisfied from our hotpot, buffet, and teppanyaki lunch at The Cheng Dynasty, but there was one more activity waiting for us. The owners of the restaurant also placed a small room inside the restaurant that featured their other passion, Drip Art! All About Art PH has a studio at Secret Fresh inside RONAC Art Center in San Juan where kids and adults alike can enjoy drip painting and art activities. They decided to put a small branch here so that guests waiting for their tables or those too full to leave can have another activity to share with the family.
These DIY kits will give the artist inside everyone a chance to shine and sparkle. I had never done this kind of painting before so I was excited to have my first drip painting experience here at The Cheng Dynasty.
First, choose your figure. The price of your DIY kit depends on the figure you choose and its size. Next, choose three different paint colors that you can mix together or separately on a bowl. Lastly, pour the paint slowly on the figure, making sure all the corners and crevices are covered. That's it! The staff will then box these since it takes a few days to totally dry. Drip painting is a great bonding activity that can be enjoyed with friends and family so check out their Facebook and Instagram @allaboutartph if you want to know more.
The Cheng Dynasty Hotpot is truly a fantastic addition to the ever growing foodie destinations along Banawe Avenue and Quezon City. The luxurious interiors and the premium dishes will surely make you feel like an emperor yourself. I suggest you make reservations first before going because the lines can get pretty long, so send them a message and book your tables now.
Cheng Dynasty Hotpot
625 N.S. Amoranto St. , Quezon City
(0917) 159-7877
www.facebook.com/chengdynastyhotpotph
Instagram: @chengdynastyhotpotph
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Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez Opens at The Westin Manila
The city's newest and possibly most authentic Spanish restaurant recently opened its doors at The Westin Manila. Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez is a new Spanish dining concept from multi-awarded celebrity chef Chele Gonzales that is named after and in honor of his hometown of Cantabria, located in the northern coast of Spain. The Hungry Kat was invited to the special media preview held last March 7, a day before it officially opened for dinner on March 8, 2024.
Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez is a new culinary venture in partnership with The Westin Manila which just recently celebrated its first anniversary. The restaurant is an ode to Chef Chele's childhood years and is a project that has been one year in the making. It's a place that Chef Chele can definitely be proud of as he shares his own Cantabria heritage with the rest of the world.
Cantabria is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. You can find it on the hotel's topmost level, a more private and exclusive area with gorgeous views of the Ortigas central business district.
Plush sofas and elegant chairs give the place a sophisticated yet homey ambiance. The cozy interiors come decorated with beautiful Spanish tiles along with paintings and photos of the region. There's even a small metallic map of Cantabria adorning one of its walls.
Cantabria, in the words of Chef Chele, is an infinite landscape known for its unparalleled culinary treasures from its legendary ocean to a multitude of greeneries and mountains. Their menu takes guests to the shores of the Cantabria region, offering a taste of its bounty in delicate bites and indulgent delights.
Chef Chele Gonzales is proud to present the diversity of Spanish cuisine and to celebrate this region's ocean gems through heritage recipes from his childhood and early culinary beginnings. These are dishes he enjoyed at home prepared by his mother which he is now sharing with us. Together with chef de cuisine Ivan Saiz Sordo, Cantabria specializes in creative and sophisticated approach to seafood, as well as innovative tapas, comfort meats, and other traditional Spanish favorites.
Our evening started with some pintxos like the Wagyu and Inure Toast. These are made with wagyu tartare, salmon roe, and truffle yolk on top of a brioche toast. It's an immaculate burst of flavors with the tender wagyu just melting away with the egg yolk in one glorious bite.
The Toasta de Anchova y Berenjena is one of Chele's signature dishes using premium Cantabrian anchovy served with charred eggplant on a baguette toast. This gave guests a quick preview of the many Cantabrian seafood items the restaurant will be featuring.
There's also a bar area inside Cantabria with dedicated bartenders ready to prepare exquisite cocktails and bubbly beverages.
We had a taste of the Sangria Tinto as our welcome drink. This is a refreshing red wine sangria with fruity flavors.
The bartender also prepared a special cocktail for us called A Night in Santander, which is the capital of Cantabria. This comes with tequila in green tea and chili salt on the side. Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez offers a wide selection of beverages from sangria, cocktails, vino and more.
What Cantabria is really proud of are their sea produce. These imported seafood are on display at the counter for all the guests to see.
Chef Chele prepared a fantastic menu for us that evening to highlight some of his Spanish specialties using ingredients and cooking techniques from Cantabria
For our appetizers, first up was the Ostra De La Casa. These are plump and juicy oysters combined with sherry mignonette, green apple, and chives.
Next was the Tartlet De Viera, a scallop tartlet combined with white chocolate, caviar and celeriac puree. I was not sure if it was a starter or a dessert, because this had a unique combination of premium seafood and white chocolate. It was truly culinary genius on display because it all worked together and we all loved it.
These dishes were paired with the Torello Brut Reserve, a sparkling wine made using Penedes grapes from Spain.
We also tried some of the tapas on the menu. The Chili Crab Croquetas con Mayonesa De Lima comes with creamy chili crab croquettes with lime mayonnaise. The croquettes really tasted like Singaporean chili crab and we didn't even have to get our hands dirty.
The Ravioli de Carne Guisada con Espuma de Parmesano is a braised beef and porcini ravioli topped with parmesan espuma and basil oil. Chef Chele used to eat this dish as a child when his mother made these for him during Saturday lunches. These tapas were served with Menade Rueda Verdejo Blanco from Spain.
For our main course, the highlight of the evening was the Rodaballo a la Parrilla or Grilled Whole Wild Turbot. The wild turbot is a flat fish that is native to European waters and is highly valued and classified as a fine dining fish. Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez is one of the very few places where you can find this gem on the menu. Our portions of the Grilled Wild Turbot were served with house salad and potatoes on the side.
The next main course was the Arroz Negro de Viera Y Chipiron. This comes with black ink creamy rice topped with grilled scallops, baby squid and herb aioli. It's similar to a paella negra but the creaminess of the rice is more like a risotto which I really liked. The big pieces of scallops were also a delicious addition.
Meatlovers don't have to worry because there's also the Presa Iberico con Patata Y Mojos. This is a grilled pork iberico steak served with fried marble potatoes plus green and red mojos sauces. The pork was so tender and flavorful, as if I was eating at one of the country's best steakhouses.
To make this course even more spectacular, it was served with a glass of Les Cousins L'Inconscient from Catalonia, Spain.
For dessert, Chef Chele presented probably the most delicious cake I have ever tasted. The Sobao Pasiego is a Cantabria delicacy cake served with cheese ice cream and berries coulis. The fluffy cake was just heavenly and went so well with the ice cream and mixed berries.
We ended our exquisite dinner with the Toffe, Cacao, Avellana Y Cafe. This is a chocolate sponge cake with caramel mousse and caramelized hazelnut topped with ice cream. We would like to thank Chef Chele Gonzalez for hosting and preparing our lovely dinner in Cantabria at The Westin Manila. This is definitely the most authentic Spanish restaurant you can find in Metro Manila because Chef Chele has crafted the entire menu from his heart.
Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez
Roof Level, The Westin Manila, San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig
(0962) 533-7957
www.facebook.com/westinmanilahotel
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Embassy of Canada in the Philippines Holds Savour Nova Scotia Seafood Dinner
The Embassy of Canada in the Philippines recently held a special four-course dinner featuring specialty seafood and wines from the Province of Nova Scotia. This exclusive by-invitation only event was hosted by none other than the Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, His Excellency David Hartman, with Canada and the Philippines celebrating 75 years of bilateral diplomatic relations this year.
The Savour Nova Scotia Seafood Dinner was held at the Official Residence of the Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines inside Dasmariñas Village in Makati last February 21, 2024. The Hungry Kat was invited once again by the Embassy to be one of their media guests so I was more than happy to visit and have my first taste of Nova Scotia seafood and cuisine.
More than 40 guests from the Philippine government, business sector, and the culinary industry attended the special event that brought together suppliers, importers, wine connoisseurs, and food and beverage experts to showcase the many quality products available from Nova Scotia.
We were happy to see some of our friends from the industry like celebrity chef Sharwin Tee and Trade Commissioner Louise Pasadilla from the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines. I was also excited to see Trade Commissioner Angel Cachuela who I have known for a long time.
Guest were greeted at the start of the evening with a welcome drink called the PhilScotian Sour. This was a specially-curated cocktail made with Nova Scotia's Glenora Distillery 12-Year Single Malt Whiskey, Philippines mangoes, and calamansi. It was quite refreshing and a good start to the evening's festivities. Lobster Canapés with housemade brioche, chives, and caviar were also served.
I also met the evening's guest of honor. The dinner was organized on the occasion of the visit of Nova Scotia’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Honorable Kent Smith. Nova Scotia is located at the edge of North America and the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, making its waters cold, clean, and pure. As a result, their seafood catch is always fresh and is of the highest quality.
The program started with His Excellency David Hartman making his opening remarks and welcoming all the guests to the Savour Nova Scotia Seafood Dinner. “Tonight’s dinner symbolizes the strong people-to-people ties that bind our countries together and the great things we can accomplish when we work together. There is a growing population of Filipinos living in Nova Scotia, and we are so proud to know that this vibrant community is thriving in beautiful Nova Scotia and across the country," said Ambassador Hartman.
The Honorable Kent Smith also took to the stage for his remarks. “Nova Scotia seafood has earned a global reputation for freshness, quality, and great taste. We were pleased to share our premium-quality products during the recent Asia mission. This was also an opportunity to celebrate the relationship between Canada and the Philippines and for Nova Scotia companies to build on these existing ties and explore new opportunities in the global market,” said Minster Smith. Nova Scotia is Canada's number one seafood exporter, exporting to over 60 countries. Nova Scotia's dedication to food safety, innovation, and sustainability is driven by a commitment to quality at every step along the value chain.
Ambassador of the Philippines to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria was also present an flew over to the country just for this special event. The dinner also celebrated new milestones between Nova Scotia and the Philippines, including the Province’s Joint Declaration of Intent with the Department of Migrant Workers focusing on the mobility of workers from the Philippines to Nova Scotia and NSCC’s new partnership with World Citi Colleges on healthcare education.
An array of seafood, wines, and wild blueberries were all flown in from Atlantic Canada and took the spotlight in the exclusive four-course dinner. Bread baskets were placed on the table consisting of malunggay pandesal, mini baguette and grissini plus whipped butter.
Chef Thomas Carey of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and Chef Joseph Gomez, the Executive Chef of the Embassy of Canada and of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), took turns introducing each course that showcased the quality of Nova Scotia’s seafood. The dinner showcased the special collaboration between NSCC and DLS-CSB that began with the first Philippines-Canada Virtual Culinary Cup in 2021, organized by the Embassy of Canada, Les Toques Blanches Chefs Association in the Philippines, and the World Food Expo organizers. DLS-CSB culinary students helped prepare this special fusion dinner.
Our first course was the Nova Scotia Whelk and Snow Crab Kombucha Squash Custard. The whelk and snow crab are prepared with spinach, Pernod cream, steamed kombucha squash, custard, and tarragon oil.
I was not really familiar with whelk and Nova Scotia seafood in general, so it was a good that I was seated with Derrick Kennedy, Sales Director of Louisbourg Seafood Limited and one of the featured supplies during the event. The whelk is actually a big snail, much bigger that the ones served on French escargots, so it was quite a unique experience eating these exotic seafood items.
Next we had the Seared Fish and Crab Cappellacci. This is made with a pan-seared red ocean perch which is a local Nova Scotia fish. The Jonah crab is also a local crab that is unique to that region. These were cooked with coconut-lemongrass curry, mushroom adobo, and heirloom tomatoes.
To make the dinner even more captivating, each course was paired with Nova Scotia wines and ciders from Blomidon Wines, Benjamin Bridge, Bulwark Ciders and Lightfoot and Wolfville.
Our third course is a fusion of Nova Scotia and Filipino ingredients. This beautiful Bay Leaf Poached Lobster Tail sits on top of crispy potato cake made with Benguet potatoes grown from Atlantic Canadian seed potatoes, then doused with rich bearnaise sauce. I just loved the plump and juicy lobster meat which was highlighted further by the bearnaise sauce.
For our dessert course, we had the Petite Blueberry Charlotte which is a combination of lemon cheesecake, blueberry confiture, ginger chocolate crunch, and burnt butter pecan ice cream. We even got to sample some wild blueberries from Nova Scotia which were used for these sweet desserts.
We would like to thank the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines, most specially His Excellency David Hartman, for hosting the Savour Nova Scotia Seafood Dinner. The dinner was a great way to discover and experience Nova Scotia seafood and Filipinos really should have more access to their wonderful selection of export-quality products. The next time you visit the supermarket and grocery, check out the imported seafood section and you may find some of the best items there from Nova Scotia.
Savour Nova Scotia Seafood Dinner
www.nsseafood.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSseafood
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Canembph
Instagram: @NSSeafood
#NSSeafood #CdnAg #CdnAgPH
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Oriental Palace Seafood Restaurant Offers Delightful Contemporary Chinese Cuisine
There's one restaurant in Quezon City that continues to serve its delightful contemporary Chinese cuisine to its loyal clientele throughout the years. Oriental Palace traces its roots all the way back to 1978 when a young cook from Hong Kong named Henry Chua started a small noodle and dimsum shop in Escolta. The legacy continues with his son Chris as Oriental Palace remains one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in the city.
Oriental Palace is located at 148 Tomas Morato at the corner of Scout de Guia Street. It is one of the biggest Chinese restaurants in Quezon City and is a popular venue for birthday celebrations and special occasions among the Filipino-Chinese community. The Hungry Kat was invited back to Oriental Palace a few weeks ago to try some of their newer dishes and to revisit this well-loved dining spot.
The huge restaurant can accommodate big events and is always busy any day of the week. It is divided into several areas which includes the main dining hall and private function rooms that can hold up to 100 guests.
I went here with a couple of my friends including Bettina Chung and my lovely goddaughter Hope. Oriental Palace is a place where families and friends get together to enjoy exquisite Chinese dishes with a friendly and casual dining ambiance.
We started by ordering some items from their dimsum menu including the Beancurd Roll, Pork and Shrimp Wonton, Hakaw, Pan Fried Radish Cake, and more. They also offer Frozen Dimsum items which you can bring home and easily reheat.
The main highlight of our lauriat set was presented to us still alive and kicking. This gorgeous Tiger Lobster was served two ways.
The first was a Lobster Sashimi served on a bed of ice. I was surprised that Oriental Palace actually offers this Japanese fusion dish on its menu, but I was not complaining. The delicate lobster meat was served with wasabi and soy sauce to complete the experience.
Next we had the Double Boiled Fish Maw Soup served very hot. My seat mate, Pepper Teehankee, gave us a little trivia and mentioned that fish maw isn't made of fish lips which is what most people think. It is actually made from fish intestines?? Regardless, I still enjoyed my hearty bowl of fish maw soup.
The Steamed Suahe is always a favorite dish during parties and gatherings. These plump and juicy shrimp were so easy to peel and so delicious because they were really fresh.
The Roast Duck and Cold Cuts Platter offers a great combination of succulent roast duck, soy chicken, pork asado, crispy roast pork, century egg, and jelly fish. These Chinese appetizers are always a good way to start any celebration.
Now this was one of the most surprising dishes that was served that night. The Lychee-Style Handmade Fried Prawn Balls did not even look like food but more like a work of art. It was presented as a tree sculpture with the prawn balls hanging on the branches like fruits.
We eached "picked" our prawn balls off the tree and it really looked more like lychees instead of prawn balls. It was only when I took a bite that I could really see the effort they made into making these balls very presentable and Instagrammable. That's why this is their most popular dish and highly recommended.
Another dish that I liked was the Hong Kong-Style Lap Mie Claypot Rice with preserved meat. My husband loves eating claypot rice in Hong Kong so he also enjoyed scraping off the burnt rice at the bottom of the huge bowl.
This beautifully plated dish is called the CNY Red Lantern. It is actually made with eggplant but presented as this decorative dish that is a must-order during the Chinese new year.
The Fried Oyster in XO Sauce is a crunchier way to cook and prepare oysters. The XO sauce goes well with giving the oysters their rich flavors.
One classic dish at Oriental Palace is the Oriental Signature Tofu. This healthy alternative can always be enjoyed by the entire table.
A Chinese lauriat won't be complete with the Steamed Live Lapu-Lapu with spring onions and French beans. The fresh lapu lapu is cooked in a light soy sauce and is always a popular dish at family gatherings.
The Beef Tenderloin in Oriental Sesame Dressing with Udon Noodles in an Asian fusion of flavors and ingredients. I was quite surprised that Oriental Palace uses Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques in the menu, so expect to see a lot of modern presentations on the table.
Here comes the second way for the tiger lobster, the Lobster Congee. This very flavorful bowl comes with all the other meaty parts of the lobster from the legs to the head. I really loved this exquisite congee because you really can't go wrong with lobster.
We requested for another popular dish at Chinese restaurants, the Sweet and Sour Pork. You can judge how good a Chinese restaurant is by the quality of their sweet and sour pork, and this one passes all the tests with flying colors.
For dessert, we had the Buchi and the Hot Almond Dumpling to end our very colorful and satisfying dinner. We were all so full from the over 15 main courses and the selection of dim sum favorites presented.
We would like to thank our dear friend Spanky Enriquez for inviting us and hosting this grand dinner lauriat for Oriental Palace Seafood Restaurant. Spanky is currently having some health problems and we are all praying for his full and speedy recovery. We are all waiting to dine with you again soon.
Oriental Palace Seafood Restaurant
148 Tomas Morato cor Sct. de Guia, Laging Handa, Quezon City
8374-0693 / (0917) 879-0832
www.facebook.com/OrientalPalace.ph
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Marco Polo Ortigas Manila Offers Exciting Dining Destinations in the City
For those living or working near the Ortigas Central Business District, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila has always been an exciting foodie destination with its five exquisite dining outlets that are available from morning until late evening. My husband and I have been regular patrons of their restaurants ever since the country's first Sky Hotel opened in 2014, but I did not get to visit them that much during the pandemic. So our recent staycation (Read: Rejuvenating Weekend Staycation at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila) was the perfect time to get reacquainted with all the dining options that this Forbes Five Star hotel has to offer.
In our excitement, we arrived a little bit early for our weekend staycation at Marco Polo Manila, so our rooms were still being prepared. We decided to wait at the Connect Lounge which is just beside the hotel's front desk. This bright and spacious lobby lounge is open daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm so it's a great spot to pass the time and grab some refreshments while waiting for our room.
The Connect Lounge is a spacious gallery with an integrated business center located right at the lobby floor. This location provides guests a modern work and social space with amazing city views and a comfortable ambiance for those quick meetings and get togethers.
We had their Rejuvenating Iced Teas which come into two flavors, the Revitalitea (P490) made with Mango Tea and Soda, plus the Vigoritea (P400) made with Earl Grey Tea and Passionfruit. These colorful beverages are designed to complement your sense of well-being while offering a healthier alternative.
We paired these with their Italian Focaccia Sandwiches. Choose from Focaccia with Pesto (P700) with its mortadella, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, pistachio and garden greens, or go for the Focaccia with Prosciutto (P800) made with fresh tomatoes, provolone and arugula.
For those looking for a fun easter activity, the Great Marco Polo Easter Safari will be happening on March 31, 2024 at the Marco Polo Grand Ballroom from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Have a fun-filled afternoon with a magic show, balloon twisting, face painting, and an exciting egg hunt, with fantastic surprises that will surely delight both children and adults alike. Tickets are priced at P1,500 net for children up to 12 years old, and P750 net for adults, inclusive of heavy snacks. For reservations, visit https://bit.ly/MPOMEasterSafari.
After checking into our rooms and having our evening cocktails at the Continental Club lounge, we went down to Cucina for our hearty dinner buffet. Cucina is Marco Polo Manila’s all-day dining restaurant on the 24th floor that is well-known for its superb international and local cuisines. From Monday to Wednesday, they offer their City Zen promotion, a new urban grazing dining concept that features a semi-buffet with one order of their main dish. Since it's the weekend, Cucina had a full dinner buffet setup so we were ready to #ExploreDiscoverExperience their wide selection.
Instead of the salad station or bread station, I started at the Seafood Station where you can get your favorite seafood items and have it cooked according to your preference. You can have it grilled, steamed, poached, sautéed with butter and garlic, or even baked with cheese.
They also have a pasta station with the Seafood Aglio Olio and the Fettuccine Carbonara on display. These are prepared a la minute for guests upon request. The dimsum station had spare ribs, chicken feet, and siomai as well.
Over at the grill station, you can choose from among several grilled items like pork, squid, fish, salmon, and more.
There's a dedicated Filipino section with our favorite dishes like the Bulalo, Kalderetang Kambing, Kuhol, Mussels, and others. For Japanese food lovers, there's endless sushi and sashimi available.
The highlight of the dinner buffet is the carving station with this Roast Beef that you can have seared to your preferred doneness. There's also some Roast Pork and a fish carving too.
Don’t forget about the desserts because there’s more items to enjoy at the Dessert Station. You can get some slices of their signature cakes, walnut brownies, and leche flan from the table. There’s also several flavors of ice cream available including Strawberry, Chocolate, and Pistachio Ice Cream. Then finish off your dinner with a Chocolate Crepe.
We wanted to thank Mark for taking good care of us during our dinner. Cucina goes to Korea with its themed buffet offering all Fridays and Saturdays of March. Traditional cabbage wraps of tender pork collar (Bossam), flavorful braised pig trotters (Jokbal), crowd favorite Bibimbap and saucy beef or pork short ribs (Galbi Jim) take centerstage among the wide spread of fresh greens and breads, dim sum, noodles and pasta choices, and yummy desserts. This is available for lunch at P2,480 nett per person and for dinner at P2,680 nett.
But what got me all ecstatic was when I found out that the entire Gilas Pilipinas team was staying at the hotel that weekend for the Fiba Asia Qualifiers and they were there dining with us as Cucina! I had to get a photo with my favorite player Dwight Ramos and Mark helped us get a quick snap. It was the highlight of my evening!
The night wasn't over yet because we still had reservations at VU’s Sky Bar & Lounge. Located on the topmost 45th floor of the hotel, this night time destination is open from Mondays through Saturdays from 5:00pm until late evening.
Evenings at VU's Sky Bar come with live performances from bands and DJs. Last week, they held an Arcade Night with 80s music where neon drinks and arcade games awaited guests.
We ordered some of their Signature Cocktails like the Berry Empress (P450) with its combination of gin, coconut cream, lime juice, and cherry. Another colorful cocktail is the Emerald Sunset (P650) with white rum, banana liqueur, mango juice, and blue curacao.
The Vu's Signature Platter (P1200) is a savoury platter consisting of Kurobuta pork BBQ, chicken tikka skewers, chicken intestine, and mini vegetable samosa. This is a great companion to any of their beverages and cocktails. We stayed at VU's until past midnight and it was a fun way to welcome the weekend.
The next morning, we headed downstairs to Cucina for our breakfast buffet. Over at the Egg Station, guests can customize their order of eggs from sunny side up to scrambled to egg white omelettes. Soft bacon and crispy bacon are proudly offered as well.
It's a sausage fest at breakfast with these different types of sausage on the table. Noodles are available and there are plenty of fresh juices to start the morning.
You can also find these Filipino breakfast staples like longganisa, dilis, pork binagoongan, chopsuey, garlic rice, and more.
It's off to desserts and these ensaymadas, kakanin, and pastries are more than enough to satisfy any hungry diner. Cucina offers a special Easter Sunday Lunch Buffet on March 31, 2024 at P3,400 nett per person. The carving station bustles with juicy 24-hour braised beef shank with black truffle, tender lamb confit, salt crusted lapu-lapu, and succulent Kurobuta pork belly. Seafood tempura and baked oysters with cheese fondue rounds up the incredible spread, along with Easter themed desserts to satisfy your sweet cravings.
For lunch, we went upstairs once again to Lung Hin, Marco Polo Manila’s award-winning Chinese restaurant on the 44th floor serving exquisite Cantonese cuisine. They are open daily from 11:30am to 2:30pm and from 5:30pm to 10:00pm. This is one of the best restaurants in Metro Manila and it is always a celebrated occasion whenever I have the opportunity to dine here.
We tried their featured Clay Pot Rice dishes similar to the ones in Hong Kong. Savor the flavors of Guangdong with these delectable offerings good for two persons per order, available from January 3 to March 24, 2024.
I had the Clay Pot Rice with Assorted Dried Meat Chinese Pork Sausage, Liver Sausage, and Marinated Pork Belly (P888) which was filled with toppings. Scoop all the way to the bottom and you will find some burnt rice which is how it's really supposed to be. Mix it altogether for a sizzling hot and flavorful meal.
Another option is the Minced Pork with Salted Fish (P988) clay pot rice. This one is a bit more simpler with the salted fish adding a contrasting flavor to the minced pork.
We ended our lunch with Lung Hin’s delicious Egg Tarts for dessert. These are available daily for dine in and take out per piece or a box of six. Our rejuvenating weekend staycation at Marco Polo Manila was filled with sumptuous meals and relaxing moments. We never had to leave the hotel during our stay because everything we needed was right here.
There was one last thing to do after we checked out of our rooms. We headed down to Cafe Pronto, the hotel's coffee shop on the ground floor that offers an array of sandwiches, cakes, breads, and fine chocolates. We were given their new Travel Cakes (P750) which are perfect to bring along on those long travel adventures. These rich-tasting travel cakes are offered in three delicious flavors - Chocolate, Mango and Orange, and Ube Macapuno. You can get 15% off when you order via their online store at https://bit.ly/MPOMTravelCakes. We would like to thank Melissa Ferrer and Francis David for hosting our wonderful stay at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. Take advantage of their Spring Season promotion where you can enjoy a 2-night stay with buffet breakfast for two at 10% off the Best Available Rates, plus 15% off food and beverage from their restaurants and bars. GHA Discovery members get an additional 10% off on room rates, and a total of 25% discount on food and beverage orders. Book your room from February 20 to April 27, 2024 and stay at Marco Polo Manila between March 1 to April 28, 2024 to avail this offer. See you at Marco Polo Manila!
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig
7720-7777
www.marcopolohotels.com/en/marco-polo-ortigas-manila
www.facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila
#MarcoPoloOrtigasManila#MarcoPoloHotels#Ortigas#Philippines#Cucina#Lunghin#VusSkyLounge#CafePronto#ConnectLounge#ForbesFiveStar#ExploreDiscoverExperience
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Rejuvenating Weekend Staycation at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Life in the big city can get pretty hectic and stressful. Traffic is everywhere, so even when you decide to go on a vacation somewhere outside the city, the travel time and effort to get there and back sometimes makes you even more tired. That's why I love going on staycations because I get to truly rest and relax without having to go too far. That's also why Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is one of my favorite staycation destinations because of its Forbes Five Star amenities located right in the heart of the busy metropolis.
It had been a while since my last staycation at Marco Polo Manila, so I was really happy when The Hungry Kat was invited back to #ExploreDiscoverExperience this award-winning luxury Sky Hotel. Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is the first purpose-built Marco Polo hotel in the Philippines which opened its doors in 2014. I have been a frequent guest of the hotel and its signature restaurants ever since it opened, but I had not been able to visit that much during the pandemic years. So I'm really excited to rediscover once again all the amenities and dining options that the hotel has to offer.
My journey starts at the 24th floor lobby and reception area. Marco Polo Ortigas occupies the upper half of this towering 45-storey building, making it the city’s first Sky Hotel. It comes with 316 spacious and well-designed rooms and suites with contemporary Asian and Western interiors, all offering panoramic views of the busy city. Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is also a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, with over 40 brands and more than 800 hotels and resorts worldwide.
Marco Polo Ortigas was one of the first hotels in the Philippines to earn the coveted Five Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury travel since 1958. Considered as the Olympics in the hotel industry, this prestigious award giving body recognizes the most luxurious hotels, restaurants, and spas worldwide. I'm also happy to find out that since getting the award in 2017, the hotel has continued to receive this recognition for seven straight years.
We checked in to our stylish Premier Room which are corner rooms that come with 51-61 square meters of comfort and a spectacular view of the city. It has a King sized bed and a spacious layout done in an elegant earth tone finish. The bright natural light from the huge windows give the room a refreshing and relaxing glow.
The Premier Room also comes with a host of amenities that affirms its promise of class and comfort. These include an LCD TV with cable channels, a private executive desk, complimentary fruits, a Nespresso coffee machine and tea making facilities, an in-room safe and mini bar, and fast complimentary wifi connection that you can access throughout the hotel.
The stress and hustle of the city simply melts away every time I stay at Marco Polo Manila.
Welcome fruits and treats were provided inside when we arrived. Small gestures like these are truly appreciated by guests and makes them feel more at home whenever they stay.
The bathroom is an area where I spend a lot of quality alone time, especially with its marble bathtub, rain shower, and luxury toiletries from The Merchant of Venice. I think I will give myself a warm bubble bath later this evening.
The bathroom comes with separate sinks for couples who are on the go like us. Bathrobes are provided which you can also use for the swimming pool.
Our Premier Room also gave us access to The Continental Club on the 44th floor which gives guests the highest luxury skyline living.
Guests booked at the Continental Club rooms can get private seated check-in and check-out procedures on the 44th floor reception. This is better for those who value a bit more privacy during their stays.
The Continental Club Lounge is open from 6:30am to 10:00pm and acts as an extension of your rooms. Here you can indulge in a private buffet breakfast, afternoon tea, all-day refreshments, and evening cocktails, all absolutely free.
The lounge basically acts as a living room extension of your room where you can move around more freely with its bright and spacious surroundings. Guests get exclusive access to the lounge where they can read a newspaper or magazine while relaxing in comfort. Smart casual attire is recommended for those visiting the lounge.
Guests can also use the lounge’s private library and reading alcove. Aside from these, guests get complimentary use of their boardroom for up to two hours per stay and complimentary pressing and laundry service for one piece of garment. After checking in to our room, we immediately went to the Continental Club to have some refreshments.
Afternoon Tea is offered daily starting at 2:30pm up to 4:30pm with a wide variety of teas and beverages. On display at the table were the Cheesy Spinach Quesadilla and Pastrami Focaccia Sandwich together with cookie crinkles, candies, assorted mini cakes, fruits, and more.
So what other amenities can guests enjoy while staying at Marco Polo Manila? I love taking a dip at the Flow Swimming Pool which is located on the 22nd floor and is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm. This is an indoor, temperature-controlled swimming pool with a jacuzzi, shower room, and sauna for hotel guests.
Located on the same floor is the Flow Fitness Center, a 24-hour gym that offers an energetic view of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges while you work out.
But I was really looking forward to my pampering massage treatment at the Flow Spa which is just beside the fitness center. The Flow Spa offers a wide range of treatments and massage services perfect for unwinding and relaxation from 8:00am to 11:00pm. In-room service is also available all the way until 2:00am for those who want to stay inside their rooms.
They have both single and couple’s treatment rooms which are perfect for that romantic getwaway. We booked the Flow Signature Massage (P3,740) which is a 90-minute treatment using a fusion of Eastern and Western techniques with a special blend of essential oils. This stress-relief massage also features Thai stretching and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi strokes which my body truly needs. After starting with a short foot bath, it was time for me to lie down and relax at this urban sanctuary on top of the city.
My favorite period at the Continental Club Lounge would definitely be their Evening Cocktails from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This is a pre-dinner affair where alcoholic beverages are served together with some light dishes.
As the sun starts to set, the club lounge is one of the best places to stay at as the city lights up for the evening.
Aside from the free-flowing beverages, you can also find some appetizers and hot dishes at the Evening Cocktails. I was delighted with the wide selection of items they had including Sisig Mussels, Pork Bulgogi Skewers, Seafood Alfredo, Kropek, Cheese Croquettes, Chicken Barbecue, and more.
They also had some sweet desserts to complete the pre-dinner meal which can actually serve as a light dinner itself.
Best of all, the evening cocktails lets guests choose from a variety of alcoholic beverages and drinks. We got to try their Classic Mojito and the Mimosa for our first round. There are many other cocktails that the bartender can whip up for you, or you can just get any of the wines or local and imported beers on the table. Watching the sunset on the hotel’s topmost floor with bountiful food and drinks is a great way to end any afternoon.
For those who want to #ExploreDiscoverExperience this rejuvenating staycation, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is offering their Spring Season promotion. Enjoy a 2-night stay with buffet breakfast for two at 10% off the Best Available Rates, plus 15% off food and beverage from their restaurants and bars. GHA Discovery members get an additional 10% off on room rates, and a total of 25% discount on food and beverage orders. Book your room from February 20 to April 27, 2024 and stay at Marco Polo Manila between March 1 to April 28, 2024. My stay isn't over yet, because next I'm going to visit Marco Polo Manila's signature dining options that truly makes a staycation here more rewarding and enjoyable. (Next: Marco Polo Ortigas Manila Offers Exciting Dining Destinations in the City)
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Meralco Avenue & Sapphire Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig
7720-7777
www.marcopolohotels.com/en/marco-polo-ortigas-manila
www.facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila
#MarcoPoloOrtigasManila#MarcoPoloHotels#ForbesFiveStar#Staycation#Ortigas#Philippines#ExploreDiscoverExperience
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