Marriott Café Sous Chef Bryan Salarzon showing off the Lutong Bahay Specials
“What is Filipino food?”
For me, it is a mixture, a blend, a byproduct of all cuisines―both local and international―that has touched Filipino palates over the centuries. Hard to explain, I know. That is why, Filipinos when asked that question mumbles something from confusing to interesting. The diversity―from ingredients, preparations, cooking techniques, flavors, and presentations―is exactly what makes Filipino food distinctly remarkable!
The month of May has been touted as National Heritage Month and Philippine culinary being one of its rich examples, Marriott Café prepares some of the most sought after Filipino dishes and desserts on its buffet station.
What is more interesting is the manner by which we eat Filipino Food. We use our senses!
When was the last time your feet led you straight to the kitchen because the food smelled so good (even the neighbors were intrigued and paid a visit)? It’s a common scenario in Filipino homes where handed-down-from-generations recipes are savored and shared. Likewise, diners who are seated near the main Filipino station will have the same happy problem. Fortunately, the food is offered in not just one but several stations. Wafting through the air is the inviting aroma of the piping hot Sinigang, Bulalo, and Sopas at the Soup Station.
Choice of pork knuckles and oxtail are offered in Kare-Kare Station
Look at the different colors of different ingredients used. These reflect the bounty of the land―whether vegetables, herbs, or fruits. At the Filipino Salad Bar, for example, there’s Davao Pomelo and Shrimp Salad with Honey Tamarind dressing, Pako and Lato Salad with Calamansi Vinaigrette, Ensaladang Mangga with Crispy Bagnet, and Tuna Kinilaw.
Fresh greens at the Salad Station
With more than 7,000 islands of lush greens surrounded by the deep blue sea, expect to find buckets of fresh and sustainable seafood harvest at the Seafood in Ice Station like crabs, shrimps, shellfish, and fishes. Simply grab a plate, put as many as your tummy can take, give it to any of the Marriott chefs, and tell them how you would like it to be cooked.
The Kare-Kare station offers two (2) options for the sauce, peanut, and coconut.
Listen to the shucking of seashells and hear it sizzle. If it’s music to your ears, soon, it will be a fiesta in your taste buds! A few steps on your right are Filipino Appetizers such as Crispy Kangkong, Chicharon Bulaklak, Kwek Kwek, Lumpiang Shanghai, Atchara, and Tokwa’t Baboy. Check out the Local Favorites which include Beef Kaldereta, Adobong Manok sa Gata, Relyenong Bangus, and Chopsuey. These viands are perfectly paired with Pinasingaw na Kanin or Kanin sa Ginisang Bagoong. For Chicken Inasal and Lechon Pork Belly, go to the Roasting Station. At the Grill Station, you will find Pork Gizzard Skewers, Chicken Gizzard Skewers, and Pork Belly Skewers. To add to the heady flavors of Filipino food, Marriott Café also has a Live Okoy Station and a Kare-Kare Station. Dip your crispy baby shrimp fritters in spiced vinegar, garlic soy sauce, and sweet chilli, or have the liberty to choose which ingredients and how many of these you want to add in your Kare-Kare.
Sustainable seafood catch
At the Dessert Station, Philippine fruits in season are served alongside Buko Pandan, Leche Flan, Cassava Cake, Sapin-Sapin, Suman Cassava, Brazo de Mercedes, Ube Halaya, Binignit, Halo-Halo and other signature sweet endings. Even the server dressed as ‘Mamang Sorbetero’ is all smiles serving the gelato in halo-halo flavor, ube pastillas, buko pandan and other refreshing ice cream flavors.
Samalamig Station serves melon, gulaman, and buko pandan.
Filipino dessert, majablanca
Thirsty for more?
Marriott Café’s ‘Samalamig Station’ serves Melon, Gulaman, and Buko Pandan “at the corner of Kalaw Avenue and UN Avenue” where heaps of fresh buko are also on display.
Fresh buko station
So, what is Filipino Food again?
It can be a regional specialty, tweaked to suit the taste of one town to the other, part of an indigenous celebration, influenced by a fellow Asian or a conqueror, then passed from one generation to another. It’s crispy, salty, sweet, bitter, sour, or savory.
Street food staples: chicharong bulaklak, grilled pork and gizzards, and tokwa't baboy
Okoy (shrimp fritters) made on the spot!
At Marriott Café’s Art-Taste-Tic, feel free to grab your plates and utensils, and be mesmerized by the taste of the Philippine islands!
Executive Chef Meik Brammer
(my namesake, actually, lol)
Indulge in this delightful dinner feast available until June 12, 2016. Buffet starts at 6PM and ends at 10PM. To know more about the Philippine Heritage Month celebrations at Marriott Hotel Manila, call (02) 9889999 or visit manilamarriott.com. To keep up on their latest offerings, follow @marriottmanila on Facebook and Twitter and @manilamarirott on Instagram and Snapchat.
---
About Marriott Hotel Manila:
Marriott Hotel Manila stands as a centerpiece of
the dynamic and exciting mixed-use development of Resorts World Manila, located
directly opposite Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. A destination
in itself, this 5 star property is poised to become the Philippines’ most
unique and comprehensive destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and
Exhibitions.
The hotel currently offers 342 spacious
guestrooms and suites and will open the West Wing in early 2016 adding an
additional 228 luxuriously appointed rooms. Thoughtfully designed around the
needs of today’s modern traveler, each guestroom incorporates the latest
technology and design. Premium Wi-Fi capability, I-Pod docks and over-sized
bathrooms appeal to most discerning guests. Mobile check-in and check -out, the
finest linens and Thann Amenities add to the experience. Stunning views of
Villamor Golf Course, the skylines of Makati, Fort Bonifacio and sweeping views
of the airport showcase our prime location.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe
here.
Let's stay connected.
MEIKaH on
Facebook
MEIKah on
Twitter
MEIKah on
Instagram
Be social and click on the icons below.
