Food

CRU Steakhouse at Marriott Manila – An Instant Favorite

March 18, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

In an extremely competitive foodie scene such as Manila’s, it’s quite rare for non-buffet hotel restaurants to be critically acclaimed. While most luxury hotels place heavy emphasis in creating well-curated menus with high quality items, all too often these restaurant still get overshadowed by the brand name of the hotel.

CRU Steakhouse, a restaurant at Marriott Manila, has a strong potential to make it on its own despite being a staple steakhouse name across multiple Marriott hotels. I tried it just last week and it instantly became a personal favorite. I was really quite impressed and after researching a bit on this gem of a place, I realized that I’m not alone in the praising. Best Hotel Fine Dining Restaurant 2014, Best Dessert, Philippines’ Best Restaurant of the Year – the list of the awards its received just goes on.

Entering CRU for dinner, I was again reminded of the wonderful staycation I had at Marriott Manila just a month back, when I also entered Cru as it was part of Marriott Cafe’s Sunday Brunch.

I was served by Cyndee, who definitely knew her way around Cru. We basically took in everything she recommended which turned out to be a great decision. Everything, as in 100% of the things she recommended, was fantastic!

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Sunday Brunch Buffet at Marriott Manila’s Marriott Cafe

March 3, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

During my short but fantastic staycation at Marriott Manila, I had the opportunity to try their well-known Sunday Brunch. Since I live in the northern part of the metropolis whenever I’m in town, this was my first time to sample the delights of the Marriott Cafe in Manila – though I’d always been curious to try it since I’m a semi-regular at the Marriott Cafe in the Singapore hotel.

trendy interiors of marriott cafe

The popularity of the Sunday Brunch concept at Marriott Manila was evident from the moment I stepped in. The restaurant was filled to the brim with families enjoying a slow and leisurely meal at one of the best-value upmarket buffets in town.

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What’s New at Edsa Shangrila’s HEAT

February 3, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

Heat at Edsa Shangri-la is fast becoming my go-to place when it comes to hotel buffets in Manila. I ate there 5 times in the past year alone even as I was living in Singapore for the most part of 2014.

I had my first meal at Heat in 2015 just last week and realized the restaurant was spruced up to start the year. For the entire first quarter, Heat is being touted as a Farmers’ Market, with fresh and healthy produce in tow and juxtaposing against chic but casual interiors. This became evident the moment I stepped into the well-known all-day-dining restaurant, with a fruit and vegetable cart greeting me as I entered and light bulbs encapsulated in birdcages. Aesthetically, this is the biggest change to the restaurant aside from the Christmas decor in December.

Food-wise, all the favorites are still there. I was again treated to Heat’s Filipino selection which has always been my favorite. I especially loved the lechon kawali or roast pork. The Japanese selection has become more extensive and now features more complicated sushi rolls alongside succulent sashimi.

In line with the theme, the seafood portion has taken on a market-y vibe, with crabs deliberately hanging on weighing scales and lobsters and mussels placed on large pails.

A buffet spread at Heat won’t be complete without their iconic pastries and these meticulously designed creations are laid out extensively for guests to enjoy. Make sure to reserve some room for these treats.

Verdict

More than a decade on and Heat remains as one of Manila’s most well-loved hotel buffets. It may not have the longest buffet line in the metropolis but food quality is definitely noteworthy and the price competitive when compared against other 5 star hotels. This quarter’s Farmers Market is more than an aesthetic change, there’s also a greater selection of seafood this time around to delight crustacean lovers out there and old favorites to keep regulars coming back.

Rating:

Taste: 4/5
Ambience: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

Heat
Edsa Shangri-la Hotel
1 Garden Way
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Philippines

Fireside by Kettle – Good Old American Food With a Twist

January 30, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

One noteworthy casual dining concept that has opened recently at the 3rd floor of SM Megamall’s spanking new Fashion Hall is Fireside by Kettle, a new take to comfort food opened by the same guys behind Kettle located just next door at Shangri-la Plaza Mall. Compared to Kettle, Fireside offers heavier and meatier comfort food. Scroll down and you’ll see just what I mean.

I tried Fireside by Kettle for lunch during a weekday. I was surprised to find a sizable crowd even though the mall itself was quite empty.

Normally, I skip appetizers in favor of the mains but I was able to sample some of Fireside’s starters. Do note that portions are huge so pace accordingly!

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What I Discovered at Duck & Buvette in Shangri-la Plaza Mall (D&B)

December 23, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

The space where Duck & Buvette now stands is hard to miss. Located at the main atrium of the original building of Shangri-la Plaza Mall, I remember eating there when it used to be Cafe Provencal, an establishment that existed in that space for well over a decade. Taking the restaurant business into context, that’s almost like an eternity!

Earlier this year, the owners of this restaurant revised the concept, retaining the French fare but shedding its Mediterranean touches. A more extensive pastry offering was also added and Duck & Buvette was born. In the 5 or 6 months since it opened, I’ve heard some good things about D&B. My family ate there (without me) some time back and had good things to say as well so last weekend, I was determined to try it out!

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What to Expect From the New Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons Pasig

December 15, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Manila’s newest upscale mall, Estancia at Capitol Commons, finally opened its doors just last week. This particular area of Pasig has generated a lot of buzz in recent years due to the many independent restaurants that have opened in the area. Now, it has its own mall. Several stores have yet to open in this 30,000 sqm complex but I managed to see signs from the likes of Aeropostale, Cortefiel which I remember seeing in Spain, as well as an array of stores from SSI.

My visit coincided with an event called Urban Flavors Weekend which aimed to showcase not just the F&B offerings of the mall but also the exciting food concepts in the burgeoning Capitol Commons district. Through a pass (Php 500), I managed to have a sampling from the likes of Tipsy Pig, Ba Noi, Black Olive, XO46 Bistro Filipino, Craft Coffee and Larcy’s Cupcakery Cafe.

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For Grown-Ups Only: Cocktail Brunch at Manhattan Bar in Regent Singapore

November 1, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

In a city where brunch places have become a dime a dozen, the new Manhattan Bar at Regent Singapore launches its own version of the leisurely Sunday meal but moves away from the norm by cleverly positioning its offering as being for adults only.

Manhattan Bar is certainly not your typical brunch place and this is evident from the first time I entered. I was greeted by the sleek and dark interiors of what would normally make a fantastic hangout spot at night. The ambiance alone offered a peek at what’s to come.

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Celadon at The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok: Delving Deeper Into Exotic Thai Cuisine

October 28, 2014 by Bino

As I was staying in The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok for two nights, I thought it would be a shame if i didn’t get to try any of the hotel’s renowned restaurants. I was literally spoiled for choice. There’s La Scala which regularly hosts Michelin-starred chefs, the Salon with its chocolate buffet or the celebrated Thai restaurant, Celadon. I undoubtedly had some great options there but it was pretty clear which one I’d go with.

traditional thai dance performance at celadon

There has been much buzz about Celadon that I thought my stay wouldn’t be complete without trying it. The name of this restaurant always pops up whenever The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok is mentioned. Travel and Leisure Magazine named it as the “Best Restaurant in Bangkok” and I was really excited to sample its many exotic Thai delights.

The restaurant is set in a separate building, in a Thai-inspired villa surrounded by a moat filled with lotuses. It made for a very scenic spot to dine, and guests have the option to have their meals either in an open-air or air-conditioned area.

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