JOINING the Mexican community in the Philippines, Diamond Hotel Philippines celebrates Mexico’s National Day this September by staging a special Mexican food festival dubbed La Comida Mexicana. On a limited run from September 16 to 20, 2015, the food promotion takes place at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Corniche, which is known for its local and international food fiestas.
For La Comida Mexicana, Corniche lays out a spread of the finest Mexican dishes, as prepared by Mexican guest chef Daniela Romero Silva, who came in straight from Mexico specifically for the food promotion. Chef Daniela, who hails from Sonora, Mexico, runs her own restaurant, Las Chulas Restaurantes, which she opened in December 2012 and now has three branches.
Assisted by Chef Justin Abulaban and the culinary team of Corniche, she prepares a wide selection of authentic Mexican appetizers, pica-picas, wet burritos and fajitas, a soup of the day, hot dishes and desserts.
Mexican appetizers and pica-picas that grace the daily buffet spread at Corniche include Chicken, Spinach and Pepper Jack Enchiladas, Grilled Jalapeño Peppers, Queso Fundido with Native Chorizo, Mini Chicken Chimichangas, Beef Flautas with Avocado Dip, Chicken Quesadillas, Chicken Chimi from the Oven, Terrific Turkey Chili, Pulled Pork Taquitos, and Pork Carnitas. Diners also get to enjoy Burritos Filled with Hot Meat Sauce and Glazed with Cheese, Chicken Rice Burritos Mildly Spicy, and Chicken with Colorful Veggies (white onion, red and green peppers).
The featured soup alternated from Tortilla Soup to Crema de Frijol Negro (black bean cream soup served with fresh coriander, grated cheese, soft cream and tortilla chips) then back to Tortilla Soup.
Hot dishes from Mexico that diners of Corniche get to enjoy for the duration of the Mexican food festival are Beans and Steak Pan with Onion and Garlic, Sweet Corn in Honey Milk, Beef Carni (marinated flank steak with pepper beans and chili), Mexican Baked Fish with Hot Spinach Dip, Albondigas Meatballs, Pescado Guachinango a la Veracruzana (fish fillets with spicy sauce, olive oil, tomato, onion, garlic, chile guero, green peppers, olives, capers, laurel, thyme, salt and pepper), Camarones en Salsa de Chile Chipotle (sautéed shrimps in chipotle sauce), Carne Tampuquena (sautéed beef with chilis, refried beans, guacamole and enchilada), Mexican Fajitas (sautéed onion, green peppers and Mexican spices, served with a choice of chicken, beef or shrimps), and Queso Fundido (Mexican melted cheese, with mushrooms or chorizo, served with soft tortilla).
There are also live and interactive Tortilla and Taco Stations, as tortilla and taco are among the most well-known Mexican fares around the world, including the Philippines.
Held in partnership with the Embassy of Mexico, headed by Ambassador Julio Camarena Villaseñor, La Comida Mexicana also pays great attention to the exquisite desserts of Mexico. Individual portions of Arroz con Leche (rice with milk), Flan Napolitano with Caramel (similar to the Filipino leche flan), and Manzanas Almendradas (mini apple tarts) are available at the dessert buffet at all times, while diners can have as many Cinnamon Churros Chocolate Sauce as they fancy. The churros with a thick chocolate dipping sauce are particularly good.
La Comida Mexicana is available at Corniche until Sunday, September 20, 2015, for Php2,550 nett per person. What’s more: Mexican nationals, Mexican Embassy employees and Diamond Indulgence members get to enjoy the buffet at a discounted price upon presentation of an identification card.
(Diamond Hotel Philippines is located at the corner of Roxas Blvd. and Dr. J. Quintos St., Manila; with telephone numbers 528-3000 and 305-3000. For reservations at Corniche, call 528-3000 extension 1121.)
