‘Tis the season to be jolly (and to be extremely full on delicious food as well). This holiday season, losing weight is not one of our concerns. In fact, we’ve officially made peace with the fact that any actual exercise or weight losing schemes can wait till January. What are the holidays for anyway? Spending time with the ones you love, giving back to the important people in your life, singing songs and spreading Christmas cheer, and of course, indulging in food and drink till our pant buttons can no longer close. Get that t-shirt dress or designer jogger pants out of your walk-in closets, because it is now time to examine the premium buffet and dining options that Manila’s top tier hotels are offering this Christmas and New Year.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila has pulled out all the stops to transform their space into a “Whimsical Winterland”. Their dining options, are following suit, with menus ideally tailored for the festive season. Signature restaurant Cucina, in particular, has put together a buffet worth talking about. Roasted angus beef rib eye, caramelized ham, and crispy duck breast on mango basil sauce will be available during a Christmas Eve dinner buffet. Later that evening, a glorious Noche Buena spread has also been prepared for Manila dwellers looking to avoid the hassle of preparing anything at home. Feast upon Filipino signature dishes like pancit palabok, Cebuano pork Humba, bibingka and puto bumbong. New Year’s Day options at the hotel are also scrumptious. Bring in 2019 with a Media Noche feast of Iberico pork loin with apple sauce, Chinese barbecue duck, and gratinated prawns, mussels, and salmon with wholegrain mustard cream. The following day, diners have the option to have a feast of freshly-made Orecchiette with pepperoni and tomatoes, best paired with a succulent roast leg of pork.
THE DETAILS:
Cucina is open daily for lunch from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and dinner from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM. The midnight buffet will commence at 11:00 PM on the 24th and 31st of December. Holiday rates are at PHP 3,800 for Christmas Eve Dinner, PHP 1,800 for Noche Buena (Midnight), and PHP 2,888 for Christmas Day. New Year’s Eve dinner is available at Php3,800 while rates for New Year’s Day is at PHP 2,888 per person.
Marco Polo Oritgas Manila is located at 16000 Meralco Ave, San Antonio, Pasig. For more information and table reservations phone (02) 720 7777.
RELATED READS: Solaire, Nüwa and Marco Polo Amongst Philippine Hotels Who Received Five Star Ratings from Forbes Travel Guide Awards
The Peninsula Manila
For almost fifty years, the historical The Peninsula Manila has exuded true luxury, and has become one of the preferred hotels for the country’s discerning crowd. To continue in their tradition of providing only the best services for their clientele, the hotel has prepared numerous special dining options to devour this holiday season. Revel at the 45-foot tree set up at the Peninsula’s iconic lobby while enjoying a meal at their popular Lobby restaurant. A dinner buffet will be available on the 24th. For those looking to indulge in their favorite dining outlets of the hotel, Old Manila and Escolta buffet has also joined in on the Christmas fun. For instance, Old Manila has prepared two different five-course set dinners on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. At Escolta, you can enjoy two buffet options—the Christmas Roast Brunch Buffet or the Seafood Lobster Dinner Buffet. A la carte dining is also option.
THE DETAILS:
The Lobby at the Peninsula Manila will serve a Merienda Buffet on the 24th of December (from 2:30 PM-5:30 PM) at P 2,850 net (includes a glass of champagne), PHP 2,250 net (for adults) and PHP 1,125 (for children under 12). A buffet dinner on the 24th (from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM) starts at PHP 4,500 net (for adults) and PHP 2,250 net (for children under 12). Prices are the same for Christmas Day.
Old Manila’s five-course set dinner menu (from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM) on the 24th of December is priced at PHP 7,200 net (includes free flowing champagne) and PHP 6,000 net for (without champagne). For Christmas day, the four-course carving lunch with dessert buffet (from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM) is priced at PHP 5,400 net (includes free-flowing champagne), PHP 4, 200 net (without champagne) and PHP 2,100 net (for children under 12). For dinner, a five-course menu has been prepared (from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM) at PHP 5,800 net (includes free-flowing champagne) and PHP 4,500 net (without champagne).
Escolta’s Christmas Roast buffet (from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM) during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is priced at PHP 4,500 net (includes free-flowing champagne), PHP 3,200 net (for adults) and PHP 1,600 net (for children under 12). The Seafood Lobster Dinner buffet (from 6:30 PM to 10:00PM) is priced at PHP 5,200 net (includes free-flowing champagne), PHP 4,500 net (with a glass of champagne), PHP 3,800 net (for adults) and PHP 1,900 net (for children under 12).
The Peninsula Manila is located at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, 1226 Makati City. For more information and table reservations phone (02) 887 2888.
Raffles and Fairmont Makati
The Raffles and Fairmont hotels in Makati have equipped their signature restaurants Spectrum, French brasserie Mirèio, and the Writers Bar with holiday offerings that will have the palette titillating with excitement. We’re most excited about Christmas day brunch (so that you don’t have to wake up so early after Noche Buena) and also the seasonal French delights at Mirèio, which are inspired by the chef’s hometown of Provence. However, we’ve got our eye on spending New Year’s Eve at the Mirèio Terrance, which offers a consumable deal of PHP 2,800 per person with tunes by a celebrity DJ. Located 10-floors up, the terrace has beautiful views of the Makati skyline, ideal for watching the fireworks that will light up the Manila sky. The hotels are following the theme of “The Written Word,” inspired by their literary heritage. Holiday offerings at the Raffles and Fairmont are for the benefit of The Center for Art, New Ventures, & Sustainable Development (CANVAS), a non-profit organization that supports “promoting children’s literacy and fine arts by deepening the nation’s appreciation for Philippine paintings, crafts, and culture”.
THE DETAILS:
Mirèio’s Provence inspired Christmas Feast is available on December 24, offering a five-course menu at PHP 6,220 per person. Christmas Day brunch at the French brasserie begins at PHP 3,200 per person. For New Year, a special five-course dinner feast will begin at PHP 7,730 per person on December 31, with a brunch at PHP 3,200 per person on January 1. On the 10th floor, at the Mirèio Terrance, enjoy views of the Makati skyline with a minimum consumable of PHP 2,800 per person during the New Year’s Eve countdown.
Spectrum will have a gingerbread cookie decorating activity on December 16, during Sunday Brunch, which is priced at PHP 2,810 per person. The Christmas Eve buffet dinner is offered at PHP 3,920 per person. Christmas Day buffet is at PHP 3,390 per person (for lunch) and PHP 2,980 per person (for dinner).
The Writers Bar is having a book-inspired Christmas Classic Afternoon Tea priced at PHP 1,400 for two. Freshly baked scones, pastries created after all-time favorite Christmas tales, and delicate tea sandwiches will be served. On December 15 (from 2 PM to 5 PM), children from the ages of 7 to 12 can enjoy an intimate story book reading at the Writers Bar with Abner Delina. To participate in this activity, just avail the Classical Afternoon Tea set.
All prices may change due to VAT and service charge. Raffles and Fairmont Makati is located at 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Ave. For more information and table reservations phone (02) 555 9888.
RELATED READS: The Bar Guide 2018: The Best Drinking Hubs in Manila
Shangri-La at the Fort
This year, Shangri-La at Fort’s Christmas theme is all about supporting Philippine art. Filipino designers Bea Valdes, Ryan Villamael and Jude Teotico were all commissioned to design the hotel’s holiday décor, providing art works that show their interpretation of a modern Filipino Christmas. As for the food offerings, Shangri-La at the Fort is not short of delicious signature restaurants that satisfy any and all cravings. Their Christmas festivities include a gingerbread making activity and special menus at most of their in-house food establishments. We recently tried the holiday offerings at Peruvian restaurant Samba, which you can read in detail over here.
THE DETAILS:
Gingerbread Cookie Making has been ongoing since November 29 and will run all the way through December 25 at the Hotel Lobby on Level 2 (from 9 AM to 9 PM), every Friday to Sunday.
High Street Café offers Christmas delights from all over the world. The scrumptious spread includes roasted turkey, honey glazed ham, chargrilled wagyu beef rump, and premium rotisserie meats and seafood. For December 24, dinner (from 6 PM to 10:30 PM) will be priced at PHP 3,800, while the Noche Buena feast (from 10:30 PM to 2:30 AM) will be at PHP 2,400. December 25 lunch (from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM) will be at PHP 3,600, while dinner (from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM) will be priced at PHP 3,800. New Year’s Eve Dinner (from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM) will begin at PHP 4,000. Lunch the following day (from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM) is priced at PHP 3,200.
Canton Road, which serves both classic and contemporary Chinese flavors, is offering three different food promos available on December 24, 25, 31, 2018 and January 1, 2019. For PHP 1,988, you can enjoy a dim sum lunch for three, which includes Canton Road favorites such as the steamed pork and shrimp dumping with mud crab roe and stir-fried US scallops and asparagus in XO sauce. Christmas and New Year sets cost PHP 34,888 for a table of 10, for either lunch or dinner. Lastly, book one of the nine private dining rooms at Canton Road and enjoy a set menu for 3 beginning at PHP 3,288.
Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar will offer premium grain and grass-fed beef cuts, best paired with the bar’s signature cocktail selection and fine whiskeys. Christmas Eve dinner on the 24th (from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM) will be priced at PHP 4,500. Christmas Day dinner (from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM) begins at PHP 4,450. Both offers five-course dinner menus that will feature Josper-baked halibut and Grainge grass-fed tenderloin. New Year’s Eve dinner on December 31 (from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM) will cost PHP 5,000, and includes a glass of bubbly, Raging Bull’s famous 1824 grain-fed tenderloin, and grapefruit cured sea bass.
Shangri-La at the Fort is located at 30th Street, corner 5th Ave., Taguig. For more information and table reservations phone (02) 820 0888
RELATED READS: LOOK: Samba’s Festive Menu Brings the Palette to Peru
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Christmas this year at Sofitel is all about “The Enchanted Journey”. The luxury hotel has made sure that almost everything inside the property is fit for the yuletide season. From the 30-foot Christmas tree to the French snowman making his rounds on the hotel grounds, their main goal is to spread the holiday cheer. Sofitel has not forgotten about our food cravings. Spiral, which is often considered to be one of the very buffets in Metro Manila, will be offering holiday favorites made by the master chefs of their 21 dining ateliers. To celebrate the New Year, there will be a Mardi Gras-style celebration hosted by Issa Litton on the night of 31st. Sofitel asks you to come in your best colorful ensembles inspired by the New Orleans holiday. Apart from the French food selections that will be served at the New Year’s Eve Party, attendees will also have the chance to win prizes from luxury brands such as Hugo Boss and Anne Klein, as well as airfare vouchers worth PHP 80,000.
THE DETAILS:
Spiral buffet promises to bring diners on a Christmas journey around the world with their carefully curated 21 dining ateliers. Enjoy a selection of gastronomical delights such as roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, Beef Wellington, Lobster Thermidor, beef prime rib, foie gras, French oysters, and Capelin caviar during the holiday season. Enjoy all of this on December 24 lunch (from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM) at PHP 2,900 (per adult) and PHP 1,474 (per child). Dinner (from 6:00 PM to 11:00PM) is at PHP 5,550 (per adult) and PHP 2,457 (per child). Christmas Day buffet meals are priced as followed: Brunch (from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM) will be at PHP 4,950 (per adult) and PHP 2,475 (per child), and dinner (which will be served from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM) will be at PHP 3,750 (per adult) and PHP 1,720 (per child).
The Mardi Gras New Year’s bash at Sofitel is priced at PHP 5,799 per person (inclusive of applicable government taxes and service charge). It will include access to the party (starting at 7:00 PM at the Grand Ballroom) and a selection of French dishes, free-flowing cocktails, sparkling wine, beer, soft drinks and iced tea. The after party will continue at Le Bar with musical entertainment from DJ Joker.
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila is located at the CCP Complex Roxas Blvd. Brgy. 76, Pasay. For more information and table reservations phone (02) 832 6988 or email [email protected]
RELATED READS: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Has Everything You Need for a Staycation in the City
Solaire Resort & Casino
Solaire Resort & Casino, the integrated luxury resort at Manila’s famous Entertainment City is offering so much great dining possibilities this holiday season that it’s hard to narrow it down to the best. We’ll try to break it down for you by giving you a preview of our four favorites instead. We talked about the other restaurants earlier this month, which you can read in detail right over here. It’s also good to note that if you’re staying at the hotel over the holidays, they will be hosting Christmas Eve Mass at the Grand Ballroom at 6:00 PM. For those who are yet to book one of Solaire’s sprawling suites, the Holiday Indulgence Package will be available from December 1, 2018 to January 31, 2019. Package prices start at PHP 16,470 for weekdays, PHP 21, 350 for weekends, and PHP 32,330 for peak dates.
THE DETAILS:
Oasis is offering a festive Afternoon Tea package for only PHP 1,388+, for those looking for good food and tea in a celebratory atmosphere. For those who want to do bit more drinking rather than sipping tea, we recommend the Wine Buffet and Make Your Own Sangria promo at the hotel. Sip on bespoke cocktails on December 24 to 25 (from 6:00 PM to 8:15 PM) and on the 31st (from 8:00 PM to 12:15 AM on New Year’s Day), while being serenaded by some of your favorite OPM artists. The list includes talents such as Shiela Valderama-Martinez, Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, Cris Villonco, David Ezra and Gian Magdangal.
Finestra, Solaire’s popular fine-dining Italian restaurant, is prepping a rich five-course Christmas Eve dinner menu (at PHP 3,750+), Christmas Day lunch and dinner menus (PHP 2,800+ each), and a show-stopping New Year’s Eve dinner menu (PHP 4,750+) that will surely have you unbuttoning your pants way before the clock strikes midnight.
Yakumi, the premium food outlet that serves Japanese fare, is also joining in on the Christmas fun. The Festive Kaiseki sets have been created to captures the best of Japan in a single dish. Prices are as followed: Christmas Eve Dinner (PHP 3,750+), Christmas Day Lunch and Dinner (PHP 2,800+) and New Year’s Eve Dinner (PHP 4,750+).
Red Lantern aims to spread Christmas cheer this year with tables abundant with only the best that Chinese cuisine has to offer. The Delectable Dim Sum Holiday offer is priced at PHP 1,888+ per person, serving a selection of their signature dim sums. It will be available for lunch on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. You can also make your choice between three set menus at the restaurant for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. These are priced at PHP 3,400+, PHP 4,400+ and PHP 5,400+, and offer different delectable delicacies from Red Lantern’s vast food repertoire. Lastly, New Year’s Eve dinner aims to capture prosperity on the plate. Choose from three different extravagant food spreads priced at PHP 4,000+ PHP 5,000+ and PHP 6,000+.
Solaire Resort & Casino is located at Entertainment City, 1 Aseana Ave, Paranaque. For more information and table reservations phone (02) 888 8888.
RELATED READS: LIST: Everything You Can Do at Solaire This Christmas Season
