YES, the ‘ber’ months are upon us and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – especially at Marriott Hotel Manila, which launched its Christmas 2013 offerings over a special lunch at the hotel’s Garden Room 3 last week, specifically on September 26, 2013. Christmas in September? Why not?
SWEET TREATS
Marriott Hotel laid out its full line of festive Christmas treats, including sweet treats like Mango Chocolate Bar (Philippine dried mangoes enveloped in Belgian white chocolate), Chocolate Santa Claus, Chocolate Snowman and Chocolate Santa with Gifts. Then there’s the Milk Chocolate Clusters (100% Belgian milk chocolate with nuts and dried fruits) – which I believe also has Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate versions; plus the hand-rolled Swiss-made Chocolate Pralines and Truffles available in Box of 4 or Box of 9.
Pastry specialties available for the entire festive season of Christmas include Gingerbread House (an edible house made of sweet cookie dough flavored with ginger and honey, and decorated with colorful pastillage, cookies and sugar candies); Grandma’s Rum-flavored Fruitcake (an authentic Christmas cake made with dried fruits month-soaked in rum, mixed nuts and different spices, topped with sugar holly leaves); Traditional Stollen Bread (a German version of fruitcake, with a light kick of orange, candied citrus peel, raisins and almonds added, spiced with ginger and cinnamon); Winter Berry Cheesecake (traditional white chocolate cheesecake topped with luscious cranberry compote and Christmas chocolates); and huge Homemade Cookies (in chocolate chip, strawberry, cinnamon, crinkles, almond and oatmeal variants).
Marriott is also very proud of its French Macarons, which are sweet, meringue-based confectionery with almond powder filled with mango, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate and mocha buttercream. These melt-in-the-mouth confections are sold in Box of 6 at Php325, Box of 12 at Php625 and Box of 24 at Php1,150.
The other traditional symbol of Christmas when it comes to sweets, Buche de Noel (a traditional Yule log cake, colorful and smoothly baked with iconic elements of Christmas), comes in three variants: Chocolate Ganache, Chestnut Caramel and Tiramisu, at Php1,400 for a 600-gram log.
FESTIVE HAMPERS
For more generous gift-givers, Marriott Hotel has created three exquisite Christmas hampers that suit different budgets: Classic Hamper, Deluxe Hamper and Cru Premium Hamper.
The Classic Hamper (Php3,400) contains a Gingerbread Jeepney, Chocolate Santa Claus, Mango Chocolate Bar, Dry Pasta, Tomato Sauce with Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Martini Olives.
Priced at mid-point, the Deluxe Hamper (Php5,100) puts together a Gingerbread House, Chocolate Santa Claus, Grandma’s Rum-flavored Fruitcake, Homemade Cookies, Spanish Paella Rice, Tomato Sauce with Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Martini Olives.
The most exquisite of them all, the Cru Premium Hamper (Php8,800) includes a Gingerbread House, Chocolate Santa Claus, Cru Steakhouse VIP reservation plate, Benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon, Nutella, Martini Olives, Brie Cheese, Salami and Crackers, Chocolate Truffles in a Box of 4, Illy Coffee and two Wine Glasses.
However, if you want something much more luxurious than these ready-to-go hampers, you can create or customize your own hamper by adding items from the Festive Treats and Gifts, Pastry Specialties and Deli Delights that tickle your fancy. Other interesting deli items available include Orange Marmalade and Balsamic Vinegar Spray. You can even add a Marriott Stuffed Toy at Php400, Marriott Tumbler at Php800, or even a Club Marriott Membership worth Php7,800.
A SAVORY FEAST
For those who prefer gifting family and friends with ready-to-eat savory treats, whether for a Thanksgiving Feast or for a truly delightful Noche Buena, Marriott Hotel suggests Executive Chef Meik Brammer’s Turkey To Go (Php7,500).
This package, which is available from November 28 to December 25, 2013, includes a 6 to 7kg. Whole Roasted Turkey with 1 liter of Pan Gravy, Classic Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Buttered Mashed Potato, Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Baked Pumpkin, Lettuce Salad with Dressing, Potato Salad, Baked Pumpkin Pie and Baked Apple Pie. Orders must be placed 48 hours prior to pick-up, though, by calling 988-9999 local 8090.
With Marriott Hotel Manila’s Festive Treats launch, celebration for Christmas 2013 has indeed begun.
(Marriott Hotel Manila is located at No. 10 Newport Blvd., Newport City Complex, Pasay City; with telephone number 988-9999.)
