Entries Tagged 'Hotels' ↓

Do you love ice cream? I do! Do you love macarons? I do too! How about combining the two?

Diamond Hotel

Well, there’s good news for you as Diamond Hotel introduces a new take on the Ice Cream Macaron craze by making them into mini round versions in delightful flavors of Rum Raisin and Cherry Kirsch.

An order of a Mini Ice Cream Macaron is P 40 a piece, or you can get the Ice Cream Macaron Dessert Plate for only P 390 which includes 6 pieces of Mini Ice Cream Macarons in 2 variants served in a homemade waffle cone with one scoop of Pistachio Ice Cream. Woah! 🙂

Macaron Ice Cream: Just in case the mini ones are not enough for you. 🙂

DIAMOND HOTEL PHILIPPINES
Roxas Boulevard, corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila Philippines
Telephone (632) 528-3000 or (632) 305-3000
Email: bizcenter@diamondhotel.com

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So for those with a special penchant for sweets, let’s troop to Diamond Hotel Philippines‘ lobby lounge the soonest. Alternatively, the Mini Ice Cream Macarons and the Ice Cream Macaron Dessert Plate are also availbale at The Cake Club at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City.

Last weekend, my wife and I went back to Kaishu Restaurant at the ground floor of Networld Hotel Spa & Casino along Roxas Boulevard. It’s actually our second visit to this Japanese restaurant since a few months ago.

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Tagged as “where great minds come together to shop and dine,” the Ayala group has created a new lifestyle hub in Quezon City called UP Town Center.

Cotton On (non-restaurant)

Located in between UP Diliman campus and Ateneo De Manila University, the UP Town Center is patterned after the tradition of great university town centers around the world. The 7.4 hectare UP Diliman East Campus property along Katipunan Avenue in QC has been transformed into a “mixed-use retail and office development“.

Premium retailers, services, and restaurants will serve the needs and demands of office tenants, students, workers and surrounding residential communities surrounding the area.

What makes it unique from the usual retail developments is its bias of support for industry-academe collaboration such as on-the-job training and incubation of start-up businesses. Its operating hours is from Sunday – Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM; Friday & Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM.

Here are some establishments that are currently operating at the UP Town Center:

Ba Noi’s

Cafe Shibuya

Family Mart

Ginza Bairin

Highlands Coffee

IHOP Philippines

• Ba Noi’s
• Cafe Shibuya
• Family Mart
• Ginza Bairin
• Highlands Coffee
• IHOP Philippines
• J Co Donuts & Coffee
• Kos Greek Ouzeri
• Lucca Bakery
• Red Onion Cafe
• Ryu Ramen & Curry
• Salu-Salo
• Shrimp Bucket
• Steveston Pizza
• Tea Rock
• Tokyo Tonteki
• Torch
• Vanilla Cupcakes

J Co Donuts & Coffee

Kos Greek Ouzeri

Lucca Bakery

Red Onion Cafe

Ryu Ramen & Curry

Salu-Salo

Liberty

Not in Photo:

• Boon Tong Kee Philippines
• 8 Cuts Burger Blends
• Dulcelin Gourmet
• Casa Verde
• Pinac
• The Primary Kitchen Bar

Shrimp Bucket

Steveston Pizza

Tea Rock

Tokyo Tonteki

Torch

Soon to Open:

• Aeropostale

UP Town Center
1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
uptowncenter.info@gmail.com
http://www.ayalamalls.com.ph/

Vanilla Cupcakes

I was able to dine at Ginza Bairin. Watch out for its feature here in NomNom Club soon! Enjoy special treats at the UP Town Center when you present your student ID until November 30, 2013!

Chef Christopher Gallaga

If an all-American buffet sound good to you, then you should waste no time in trooping down to Diamond Hotel at the heart of Manila City.

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Dessert comes first 🙂

Acaci Buffet Restaurant debuts at the new Filipino five-star luxury hotel - Acacia Hotel Manila – last month as the newest buffet dining spot in Alabang (south of Metro Manila). Situated in Filinvest Corporate City, Acaci coffeeshop offers a buffet with sumptuous spreads of Asian and international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Located above the lobby with its own floor, the restaurant offers an “East meets West” theme without loosing the inspiration of each dish to ‘fusion‘.

Appetizer & Salad bar Station

Appetizers Salad Bar Station (Gravlax – Top Left)

Diners can have their fill of local and international dishes starting with the appetizer salad bar station located in the middle of the restaurant where they can choose from an array of fresh greens and dressings. There are also a selection of cold cuts, patés, and terrines while enjoying the crustacean selections, cocktail, tacos salad options, and the sushi bar

Don’t miss the Gravlax and Thai Prawn with Green Mango and Lime Salad.

Sushi Bar & Other Cold Cuts

Crustacean Selection (upper left)

Filipino & Asian Station

I decided to skip the bread and cheese section, however, as I intended to focus on the main dishes.

The Asian section consists of a variety of local and international dishes with our very own pork sisig (a spicy Filipino pork dish) and Sinigang. If I’m not mistaken, I think this is the first time I’m having ‘sisig‘ in a hotel buffet. 🙂

Asaian Station & Pork Sisig (right)

Sinigang, soup & condiments

Other options included the the Seared Cod Fish Fillet, Cajun Spiced Chicken with Pumpkin and Asparagus Tips, and Braised Bean Curd with Assorted Mushrooms. Surprisingly, there was only one simple rice variety in the buffet – fried rice with ham and vegetables.

Western Station & Carving Station

For the Western cuisine, they have a pasta section right beside the Mongolian station followed by popular choices including lamb, tender prime rib, and flaky salmon.

The Carving Station hosted the Herb-Roasted U.S. Rib-Eye with corn on the cob, roasted spiced potato wedges and a gazillion sauce options.

Bread & Cheese Station

Avocado and Chicken Salad with Coriander Dressing

Dessert Station

The dessert station offers an array of cakes, pastries, chocolate fondue fountain, and sliced fruits. Albeit quite limited in this part, I highly recommend the customizable crepes station with condiments, sauces, & ice cream.

Dessert Station

Crepe Station

Other stations include the Wanton Station, Filipino Soup, and Deep Fried Thai Fish Station. Watch out for the upcoming shawarma station and an interactive Caesar salad station where attendants will assemble the salad according the preference of the guest.

Pasta Station

Wanton Station (left) & Dimsum Station (right)

Deep Fried Thai Fish

Executive Chef Raffy Hubilla

We were also able to briefly interview Executive Chef Raffy Hubilla who is a veteran in the industry having been in the hospitality food scene for 22 years including a stint with Marriot Hotel.

Acaci is named after a species of flower-bearing plants in the Amazon. The interior is spacious with four panels of paintings done by the Filipino artist Jomike Tejido which are proudly displayed as part of the restaurant décor.

Executive Chef Raffy Hubilla

Acaci Restaurant

Acacia Hotel Manila – Acaci
Business Address: 5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Email: enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com
Tel no. 720 2000 or 588 5888
www.acaciahotelsmanila.com
Follow them on Facebook (Acacia Hotels Manila) or in Twitter (AcaciaHotels)

Acaci in Acacia Hotel Manila

Dine at Acaci Buffet Restaurant for only Php995 nett per person inclusive of one round of Iced Tea or Pandan Juice.

Corniche @ Diamond Hotel

As I was heading to Diamond Hotel last night, I got a message on my mobile phone saying “mequeni, mangan na tamu manyaman!” which when translated means “welcome, let’s eat flavorful dishes!” It was the teasing SMS from a friend who invited me to a special dinner buffet inspired from Kapampangan cuisine with Chef Sau Del Rosario. It was an intimate gathering for Diamond Hotel Philippines’ Filipino Food Festival featuring ‘Culinaria Capampangan‘ at Corniche Cafe.

Chef Sau Del Rosario

Hailing from the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines“, Chef Sau of Villa Cafe brings to Diamond Hotel the genuine flavors of Pampanga at the buffet from May 10 to 19, 2012. As featured chef, he creatively infused local dishes from Pampanga in the Corniche lunch and dinner buffet.

Main Dishes

Some of the dishes include Aligue Fried Rice, Lamb Shanks, Pinakbet with Shrimp & Crispy Pata, Fresh Lumpia Ubod, Steamed Lapu-Lapu, Adobo-Quesong Puti & Salted Egg Pizza, and Ceviche with Pomelo, among others.

(L-R; T-B) Aligue Fried Rice, Fresh Lumpiang Ubod; Steamed Lapu-Lapu; Adobo,Quesong Puti & Salted Egg Pizza

Camaru Spring Roll

Recommendations

Of particular interest to me were the Camaru Spring Rolls, Crispy Pata Kare-Kare, Young Lechon with ‘Bringhe‘ and Pork Sisig Foie Gras with Organic Egg.

Camaru is actually a cricket delicacy in Pampanga but had a twist this time where it was put inside a spring roll with some vegetables; perhaps to  mitigate the thought of eating insects for the uninitiated. 🙂

The Crispy Pata Kare-Kare was already a visual feast by itself; and the taste did not disappoint (TOP PHOTO).

Pork Sisig with Foie Gras

As if having a young crispy lechon was not awesome enough, they made it more interesting with ‘Bringhe‘  or the rich Capampangan paella. To describe it as moist curry rice is an understatement. (no photo)

With all that said,  I think the highlight of the night is the Pork Sisig Foie Gras with Organic Egg. You don’t come across authentic pork sisig quite often outside of Pampanga, and adding foie gras just placed an exclamation point to the dish.

Don’t miss this one when you visit the Culinaria Capampangan feast. It somehow constitutes 50% of your Capampangan culinarya experience. 🙂

Other almost similarly good dishes include Bistik with Shitali Confits, Ox Tongue Cream of Mushroom & Corn, Fried Catfish Fillet with Buru Fermented Rice and Vegetables, and Chicken Galantina Roulade.

Bistik with Shitali Confits

Pinakbet with Shrimp & Crispy Pata

Ceviche with Pomelo

Chicken Galantina Roulade

Fried Catfish Fillet with Buru Fermented Rice and Vegetables

Ox Tongue Cream of Mushroom & Corn

Dessert

Culinaria Capampangan Desserts

It doesn’t end there. Dinner buffets are not complete without desserts and since this should be Pampanga-inspired, we also have our line up of Kapampangan desserts in the form of Ube Halaya, Brazo De Maiz, and Tibok Tibok (which is from Fresh Cows MIlk) to name a few. Check them out at Taste of Manila blog.

Guests availing of the buffet also get a chance to win roundtrip airline tickets for two to Bohol with accommodations. The Culinaria Capampangan food festival is in partnership with Philippine Airlines, Crossover 105.1 and Avis Rent-A-Car.

Visit Corniche at Diamond Hotel and get a taste of Capampangan cuisine for Php 1,600 nett per person. (Php 1,888 nett with unlimited tropical juices). For reservations check the contact info below.

• Diamond Hotel Philippines
  Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila
  Tel no: (632) 528-3000 local 1121
  Email: bizcenter@diamondhotel.com
  Website: www.diamondhotel.com
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/diamondhotelphilippines
  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DiamondHotelPh

Culinaria Capampangan @ Diamond Hotel's Corniche

If you are not the traveling kind of person, this is your chance to have a taste of the culinary capital of the Philippines that is Pampanga. Please do not miss this opportunity and catch Diamond Hotel Philippines‘ Culinaria Capampangan at Corniche Cafe.

Together with some foodie friends and food bloggers, we were able to dine on a Chinese New Year buffet at F Restaurant in F1 hotel located at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) a few weeks ago. This is such a fitting article for this season – Chinese New Year. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Cucumber Slices

One of my co-writers have actually featured the restaurant here in NomNom Club a few months ago so I am glad to see the place myself. 🙂 They are currently offering a Chinese New Year buffet consisting of the traditional Szechuan/Sichuan Beef, Peking Duck, and Crab and Corn Soup, among others.

Appetizers

To start with, we had a set of appetizers namely Jelly Fish, Beef Kimchi, Cucumber with Garlic and Chili Sesame, and Cold Pork Knuckle. Be sure to share these much appetizers to leave room for the main course.

Jelly Fish

Cold Pork Knuckle

They were all good but the cold pork knuckles with vinegar was new for me. I would compare it to a version of the Philippines’ local ‘kinilaw.’

Beef Kimchi

Although the jelly fish and cucumber came off too ordinary for me, the mix of garlic and chili sesame with the cucumber was a good twist.

In this appetizer set, the Beef Kimchi is the winner in the aspect of taste. Although I was surprised at first because I expected Chinese dishes while kimchi , as far as I know, is basically Korean.

Crab and Corn Soup

Fried Noodle

Soup and Noodles

To further elaborate the list and hold the mystery of the main dishes, we had a bowl each of the Crab and Corn and Seafood Spinach soups. They were both satisfactory and filling.

The Deep Fried Noodle followed right after mixed with sliced pork, bokchoi, carrots, mushroom, and the Chinese signature X.O. sauce.

F Restaurant in Best Western Premier F1 Hotel

Main Dishes

A quick run down of the main dishes include the Peking Duck, Steamed Marlin with Soya Sauce, Deep Fried Pork Ribs with Salt and Pepper, Sichuan Chicken, Sichuan Beef, Steamed Asparagus with X.O. Sauce, and Lechon Macau.

Sichuan / Szechuan Chicken

Sichuan / Szechuan Beef

Lechon Macau

While the Sichuan Chicken and Sichuan Beef needs more spices for that needed oriental taste, the Deep Fried Pork Ribs with salt and pepper and Lechon Macau made up for it.

If there is any that you shouldn’t miss, it’s the above-mentioned Deep Fried Pork Ribs with Salt and Pepper, Lechon Macau and the Peking Duck (I missed their Deep-Fried Tiger Prawn with Salt and Pepper though).

In the background of the Lechon Macau photo on the right are fellow foodies and food bloggers including Anton Diaz, Spanky Enriquez, Ivan Man-Dy, and Stonibert Lim.

It was generally a good oriental buffet at F cafe / restaurant with a wide view of Bonifacio Glocal City and ongoing area developments.

Steamed Marlin

Mango Sago for Dessert! (It was full of small tapioca pearls and mango bits)

Although the Chinese New Year was just over, don’t fret. F Restaurant’s Chinese New Year buffet menu will still be available  until January 31, 2012 for lunch and dinner buffet for the price of P998++.

Best Western Premier F1 Hotel Chinese New Year Promo

F Restaurant, F1 Hotel

For reservations, call +632.928.9888 or +632.908.7888. F Restaurant is at 5th Flr. Amenity Level., Best Western Premier F1 Hotel, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 1634, Philippines

The cafe name says it all, F for Fabulous! This cafe is housed at the newly opened F1 Hotel at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The hotel is a franchise from world renowned hotelier, Best Western International.

Best Western hotels are known for modern and edgy interiors and at the same time tasteful. F1 Hotel did quite well on this.

F, located at the hotel’s 5th level is also a sight to see. It will certainly not fall short in your expectations as it has almost 300 courses and desserts in a spread to satisfy your palate. F restaurant sports a light and relaxed atmosphere with tables positioned with the glorious view of the pool deck.

The cafe serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner and like any other buffet, the courses change daily.

Gorgeous Furniture pieces at F1 Hotel

Dining in a buffet could be tricky because you easily get overwhelmed with all the food you see and end up full at your 2nd course.

With F, the concept is simple and well sectioned, most of the dishes are separated per type and helpful chefs are stationed to serve you.

My best tip on buffet dining is to eat less rice or pasta and go though each dish section by section, that way you make sure you tried everything the cafe offers.

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