There is no shortage of dining options in Metro Manila. From global chains to homegrown outlets, there’s always a place that caters to a specific craving. Scrumptious choices are also aplenty in premier hotels in the metro. Here are some of them.
Filipino ingredients meet global flavors
Eastwood Café+Bar, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, offers an upgraded menu that utilizes more locally sourced ingredients and made using cooking techniques that further enhance the flavor of each dish.
The new menu debuts a number of original and exciting must-try items that showcase the best of Filipino ingredients, feature global flavors, and are healthy to boot.
There’s the Red Cabbage Chicharon, which is vegan-friendly and a nutritious alternative to the usual cracklings. The Adlai Bisque is made with a gluten-free rice substitute straight from the fields of Mindanao and seasoned with shrimp bits, vegetables, and cream.
Also available is Dapithapon, which is made of carrot hummus, black quinoa, and roasted vegetables, a unique and flavorful salad that was given special recognition in last year’s 12th National Food Showdown.
Executive Chef Victor Barangan gives the Philippine sea bass or apahap the distinction of being a house specialty—served whole with torched Choron sauce, the Baked Bass is definitely a seafood entrée not to be missed.
Meat lovers, on the other hand, may opt for the Lamb Carbonade, a stew of slow-cooked lamb shanks, onion soubise, and beer sauce.
Popular dishes like Baked Oysters and Cevichow (tuna ceviche) get delectable twists to bring new flavors. While best-selling classics like fried chicken, hamburger, clubhouse sandwich, and French toast are transformed into extraordinary signature dishes. Well-loved international dishes were also given yummy upgrades.
Being a homegrown brand with an all-Filipino team, Richmonde takes pride in promoting Pinoy comfort food like Kare-Kare, Chicken Inasal, Sinigang, Lechon Liempo, and Crispy Pata to its foreign guests.
EC+B’s new menu also features an array of tasty meat-free and vegan selections. Using Quorn products made of Mycoprotien, Chef Vic created guilt-free nuggets, sausage pizza, burgers, and banger and mash.
Diners get 20 percent discount on all items in the ala carte menu until Oct. 31.
Eastwood Café+Bar is located on the ground floor of Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.
Authentic Italian specialties
Novotel Araneta City’s new executive chef Massimiliano “Massi” Pauletto brings his expertise in Italian cuisine to the hotel’s five food and beverage outlets.
Hailing from Castellanza in Varese, Italy, Chef Massi grew up in a traditional Italian family way of preparing food and festively dining together.
He, alongside f&b director Matt Salcedo will oversee the operations of Food Exchange Manila, Gourmet Bar by Novotel, Sabor Bar de Vinos, Indulge Gelato, and the 6th Pool Bar and Lounge, as well as all events and meetings banquet requirements.
Applying his strong culinary background, Chef Massi has started introducing techniques that reinforce the global f&b team of Novotel Manila Araneta City in order to provide better quality dishes and unique dining experience.“My team are fantastic. Basically, I just push them in the right direction. I always tell them, ‘you guys carry on and I will come from the other side and slowly we’ll go together,’” he shared.
A whole week of risotto specials as well as Italian antipasto at the bruschetta bar are available at Food Exchange dinner buffet today until Oct. 9. Buffet rate is P1,688 from Sunday to Friday and P1,888 during Seafood Saturday.
On Oct. 10-16, affogato will be available for P160 nett at the Indulge Gelato. While Sabor Bar de Vinos will serve an assorted cold cuts and cheese platter paired with a special bottle of Fantini Sangiovese wine for P1,500 nett on Oct. 17-23.
Food Exchange Manila, Indulge Gelato, and Sabor de Vinos are located at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City.
Gustatory trip around the world
It’s a food trip at New World Manila Bay as each of its four dining outlets features unique dishes from different parts of the world today until December.
Market Café is recreating a unique culinary tradition featuring a popular Mongolian staple. Cooked a la minute on a solid iron griddle, diners may choose from a selection of fresh meat as well as seafood favorites mixed with vegetables. Load some carbs with either egg noodle vermicelli or rice and complement it with different kinds of sauces such as the famous Mongolian sauce and the delicious peanut sauce. Top it off with sweet chili or Schezuan sauce.
Mongolian station is available at the dinner buffet priced at P2,600 net per person, Monday to Thursday.
Li Li, which specializes in Chinese cuisine, brings back its hearty Clay Pot Rice. Each bowl is filled with crispy scorched Thai Jasmine rice, deliciously marinated meat or seafood and freshly steamed vegetables, seasoned with authentic Asian herbs and spices. Price starts at P588.
The Fireplace serves a special dish famously known among royalties—England’s Beef Wellington. The dish features a luxurious hunk of beef tenderloin rolled in rich duxelles and wrapped in golden puff pastry.
The Wagyu Beef Wellington priced at P3,880 net and Angus Beef Wellington priced at P3,300 net are served with carrot purée, sautéed green beans, and truffle jus.
Gourmet pica-pica, best shared with friends, are served at The Lounge. The pica-pica sets feature Buffalo-style chicken wings, calamari, nachos, and fish and fries complemented with homemade dressings and dips. Prices start at P1,000.
Market Cafe, Li Li, The Fireplace, and The Lounge are located at New World Manila Bay in Pedro Gil St., Malate, Manila.