CROWNE Plaza Manila Galleria’s Seven Corners Restaurant is known for its interactive buffet showcase made up of seven live cooking stations. Well, this entire month of April, Seven Corners highlights its Japanese station as it features culinary masterpieces from the Land of the Rising Sun specially created by Japanese Master Chef Seiji Kamura.
Chef Seiji, who has lived in Manila for 22 years now, makes use of his 25 years of comprehensive knowledge of world-class Japanese cuisine in preparing sensational creations that are inventive and unexpected, including Crispy Kani Pomelo Salad, Ramen, Japanese Curry Rice, Glazed Tuna and Fried Ice Cream.
Members of media got to sample Chef Seiji’s cooking over lunch at Seven Corners Restaurant last Thursday (April 3, 2014), which served as the media launch of the Japanese food promotion. The launch began with welcome remarks from Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria’s general manager Ian Reid, a short speech from Chef Seiji, and an announcement from Cebu Pacific’s international specialist Jade Lactao that Cebu Pacific has just launched direct flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya and vice versa, with the lowest year-round fares for both routes starting at JPY12,999. Cebu Pacific also operates daily flights from Manila to Osaka and from Osaka to Manila for as low as JPY8,999.
After the short program, Chef Seiji conducted a sushi making demo. He prepared Crispy Kani Maki and then encouraged his audience to follow his instructions and try making their own.
Highlight of the media launch was lunch, which began with an appetizer combination, Crispy Kani Maki and Spicy Salmon. The Crispy Kani Maki was exactly the same as the maki Chef Seiji featured in his demo.
Next came Miso Ramen, a bowl of flavorful noodle soup that was filling in itself.
Main course was Beef Roll Served with Wagyu Fried Rice and Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms in Teriyaki Sauce, which winded down to the dessert, Fried Vanilla Ice Cream with Mango and Chocolate Sauce. Fried ice cream, that’s right. It’s a scoop of vanilla ice cream dipped in tempura batter and quick-fried to golden, drizzled with chocolate sauce, and served immediately.
Incidentally, Chef Seiji will be conducting a cooking class on April 12, 2014, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Seven Corners’ private room, where he will be teaching Rainbow Maki, Crispy Kani Pomelo Salad and Green Tea with Red Mongo Jelly.
Another piece of good news: Diners who avail of Seven Corners’ Japanese food promotion will get a chance to win a round-trip ticket for two to Nagoya, Japan, courtesy of Cebu Pacific and a three-day, two-night stay at the Royal Suite of ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Court Nagoya with breakfast for two.
(Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria is located at Ortigas Ave. corner Asian Development Bank Ave., Quezon City. For inquiries and reservations, call Seven Corners Restaurant at 633-7222.)
