MARCO Polo Ortigas Manila is giving diners seven good reasons to visit its all-day dining restaurant, Cucina, with its 7 Days, 7 Reasons offering. A grand showcase of diverse gourmet fares, it offers a different buffet theme every day of the week, and these are the seven good reasons why Marco Polo is encouraging diners to visit the restaurant more often.
1. Enjoy Paella and Spanish Desserts on Mondays.
The buffet spread lays out delicious Paella variants, such as Paella Valenciana, Paella Negra, Mixta Paella, Paella de Mariscos and Paella Filipina, on Mondays. They’re featured in an interactive station, so that freshly cooked paella is always available. Diners can even see the chef preparing paella on an authentic paellera.
The Monday Spanish fiesta also extends to Spanish desserts. Heading the list is Churros con Chocolate. Others include Coca de San Juan, Torta de Nata, Brazo de Gitano, Crema Catalana, and Ensaymada Rellena de Nata.
There’s also fresh homemade Sangria to enjoy.
2. It’s all about Shell Delicacies on Tuesdays.
For seafood lovers, especially those who enjoy shellfish, Tuesdays are heaven on earth at Marco Polo Ortigas. Indulge in King Crab, Spider Crab, Blue Crab, Prawns, New Zealand Mussels, Clams, Slipper Tail and Oysters.
Pick what you like and have the chef prepare it the way you want—steamed, baked, sautéed, grilled, wok-fried or deep-fried—and enjoy them with a number of available condiments.
3. Wednesdays put the spotlight on the Fish Corner.
Fish is the star of the buffet on Wednesdays, so diners can have their fill of fish even from the carving station, where people usually go for Roast Prime Rib, Rack of Lamb or Turkey. Well, on Wednesdays, there will be Salmon en Papillote and Salt Crusted Snapper!
You can also have your fish spiced and served Indian style, if you like.
4. Feast on hometown favorites with the Filipino Corner on Thursdays.
What’s a Filipino celebration without the quintessential celebration dish, Lechon? Marco Polo Ortigas’ Cucina makes it even more juicy, flavorful and tender by featuring Lechon de Leche on Thursdays.
Complementing it are other Filipino food treats and desserts, plus refreshing Coconut Juice mocktails and a selection of fine local beers.
5. Go Thai on Fridays.
Now, this is truly unique! Most buffets do not have a Thai corner. They usually just feature a Thai dish or two among the hot dishes or in the Asian corner, but at Marco Polo Ortigas’ Cucina, the buffet offers a good selection of Thai dishes on Fridays. Have your Pad Thai assembled and cooked a la minute at the interactive station. Tell the chef what you want to go into your stir-fried noodles and he “custom-cooks” it for you.
Other Thai specialties to try on Fridays: Green Curry with Pork, Lamb Massaman, Thai Beef Salad, Glass Noodle Salad with Seafood, a selection of Satays, and crowd-drawing Tom Yum Goong soup.
6. Have your fill of Tex-Mex cuisine on Saturdays.
Diners who love delicious American and Mexican fusion dishes are in for a treat on Saturdays, as colorful Tex-Mex dishes take center stage. There’s the all-time favorite, Chili con Carne, accompanied by Enchiladas, Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas and Chimichanga.
You get to choose your meat among chicken, pork and beef, and enjoy them with lettuce, tomatoes, capsicum, onion, marinated barbecued chili, cilantro and semi-sundried tomatoes, as well as a variety of condiments consisting of guacamole, sour cream, tomato salsa, Tabasco and cheese sauce.
Enjoy all of these with artisan Mexican beers and, yes, Tequila!
7. There’s a fine selection of Charcuterie on Sundays.
End the week with a gourmet treat, as Charcuterie takes the spotlight at Marco Polo Ortigas on Sundays. Fine Iberico Ham can be enjoyed along with Chorizo, Mortadella, Salchichon, Coppa, Pepper Beef, Catalan Fuet and a selection of other cold cuts and imported cheeses.
On the side, there will be olives, onion in vinegar, cornichons, marinated cherry tomatoes, stuffed bell peppers, and marinated mushrooms to make the Charcuterie experience more well-rounded and satisfying.
Buffet price at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Cucina restaurant starts at Php1,500++ per person. Children aged 7 to 12 get to eat at half the price, while children aged 6 and below get to eat for free. Cucina is open daily for lunch from 12:00 noon to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 6:00 to 10:30 p.m.
For inquiries and reservations, call 720-7777.
(Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is located at Meralco Ave. corner Sapphire St., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.)
