VALENTINE’s Day may be over, but McDonald’s Love Desserts are still available for the rest of the weekends of February.
Launched on Valentine’s weekend, this limited-time offer that aims to make customers feel and share the love and to make moments sweeter during this season of hearts. McDonald’s New Sweethearts are made up of three new, love-inspired desserts—Strawberry Kiss Oreo Sundae, a creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream embraced by luscious swirls of strawberry syrup, topped with crushed Oreos; Red Velvet McFloat, which is Sprite with a blend of red velvet syrup, topped with a swirl of vanilla soft serve ice cream for that refreshing taste; and Choc Nut McDip, a vanilla soft-serve ice cream in a pink wafer cone, dipped in Choc Nut flavored sauce.
Red Velvet McFloat
Choc Nut McDip
These three Love Desserts are available all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays of February in all McDonald’s stores nationwide.
To make things more exciting, dessert fans get a chance to avail of the Love Desserts Buy One Take One promo. For every purchase of the Strawberry Kiss Oreo Sundae and Red Velvet McFloat, customers can get another dessert of the same kind for free, but only in Dessert Centers in Metro Manila from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of February.
TIME was when we did not care too much about where our seafood was coming from. We had bountiful fish and seafood in the ocean, and that’s all that mattered. We had a lot, but we wanted more, and so our fishermen fished like there was no tomorrow. Not realizing what kind of negative impact it would have on the supply chain, they began employing destructive ways to ensure bigger harvests. And then the corals died, and the number of fish in the sea dwindled alarmingly. Some even made it to the list of endangered species under threat of extinction if we did not change our ways.
Now the whole world is taking not just notice but also concrete steps towards preserving what we have and propagating it so that our seas may become bountiful once again. Sustainable fishing is the key. That is, employing ethical ways of fishing and taking only what we need. No overfishing. No destructive fishing. Leaving species that are near extinction alone to allow them the chance to propagate and grow in number. Turning to locally sourced fish varieties that are bountiful in number and creating delicious dishes with them.
Recognizing that the future of our oceans are at stake and knowing that everyone needs to do his (or her) share in working to reverse the tide, several hotels and restaurants who share a common goal—to promote sustainable seafood—have come together to establish an open and dynamic platform for interested stakeholders to discuss the status, challenges and solutions toward more sustainable seafood in the Philippines and offer specifically that—sustainable seafood—on their respective menus.
This week, February 15 to 21, 2016, Manila launches its first ever Sustainable Seafood Week. Working with the Department of Agriculture, USAID, Bloomberg Philantropies, Meliomar, Fish Forever, Blue You, Rare, Centre for Sustainability, PEMSEA and GreenPeace are Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, Gallery Vask, Enderun Colleges, Marriott Hotel Manila, Marco Polo Ortigas, Catch, The Peninsula Manila, Disciples Escoffier, Makati Shangri-La Manila, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, Shangri-La at The Fort, Le Club, Raffles Hotel Makati, Fairmont Makati, New World Makati Hotel and Hooch.
Manila’s Sustainable Seafood Week is a series of seminars, masterclasses and technical workshops as well as sustainable seafood menus, both on the buffet spread and on the a la carte menu, for the entire week.
Makati Shangri-La’s Chef Eric Weidmann and Executive Sous Chef Gilles Galli, and Shangri-La Philippine Properties’ area executive chef Paul Lenz
While the event was launched at Gallery Vask this morning, Monday, February 15, 2016, Makati Shangri-La Manila hosted its own intimate lunch for online food writers and bloggers at Sage Bespoke Grill to introduce its own participation in the Sustainable Seafood Week.
Pinaksiw na Matang-baka (Sour Purse-eyed Scad)
Cuttlefish Adobo
Flying Fish Escabeche
Parrotfish with Black Bean Sauce
Pampano
Tilapia
The group first toured the buffet spread of Circles Event Café to check out its sustainable seafood offerings for the week, including Pinaksiw na Matangbaka (Sour Purse-eyed Scad), Cuttlefish Adobo, Flying Fish Escabeche, Parrotfish with Black Bean Sauce, Pampano and Tilapia among the hot dishes, and quite a variety of raw fish on ice for grilling. Circles is offering Sustainable Fish and Seafood Lunch and Dinner Buffets from today until Saturday, February 20, at Php1,280 nett per person. It highlights the best practice of the “farm-to-table” principle, getting only the freshest produce directly from the source.
Tuna Tartare
Snapper Kilawin
Afterwards, the group headed back to Sage Bespoke Grill for a relaxed sit-down lunch that began with appetizers of Matang-baka Sisig (diced matang-baka fish meat cooked sisig style), Tuna Tartare (shaped like a quenelle and served on a piece of toasted baguette slice) and Snapper Kilawin (fresh chopped snapper meat prepared with coconut milk and vinegar, served in a shot glass).
Parrotfish Ceviche Leche de Tigre Peruvian Style
The formal sit-down course began with Parrotfish Ceviche Leche de Tigre Peruvian Style, a lovely fresh kilawin served in a triangular glass placed over a round glass filled with ice to retain the fish’s freshness.
Tomato and Oregano Algarvio Gaspacho, Baby Squid a la Plancha
Following it was Tomato and Oregano Algarvio Gaspacho, Baby Squid a la Plancha, a cold soup that was fully loaded with diced bell pepper, curls of scored squid.
Josper Grill White Snapper, Manila Clams and Tomatoes with Chorizo
The main entrée is a choice between Beltfish and Skin Chips, Spicy Dilled Tartar Sauce, Garden Greens and Josper Grill White Snapper, Manila Clams and Tomatoes with Chorizo. Today, we had the Josper Grill White Snapper, a perfect piece of snapper fillet, cooked to a crispy-on-the-outside-and-tender-on-the-inside doneness, served with clams, chorizo slices, asparagus spears, mini broccoli florets and beurre blanc foam on the fish. The flavors, textures and colors came together beautifully. It was so good!
Caramelized Pineapple Crumble with Star Anise and Vanilla Sauce
Dessert formally ended the meal. The Caramelized Pineapple Crumble with Star Anise and Vanilla Sauce was a pineapple version of Apple Crumble in a bowl. The pineapple filling at the bottom was not too sweet, and the crumble on top gave the baked dessert a perfect crunch. No, there was no seafood in this one, come on.
Sage Bespoke Grill presents a three-course lunch menu for Php980++ and a give-course dinner menu for Php1,980++ this week. Both special set menus highlight dishes with ingredients sourced locally.
Makati Shangri-La’s Sustainable Seafood Week offerings support the Rooted in Nature philosophy of Shangri-La hotels and resorts all over the world. This sustainability program aims to focus on using locally and ethically sourced ingredients for the hotels’ culinary requirements. It also aims to celebrate the efforts of local suppliers who source sustainable seafood and to offer higher-quality cuisine to diners.
“The future of seafood is in the hands of our chefs and the people preparing the fish while ensuring that fresh sustainable seafood is available for out valued customers to enjoy. We call upon consumers to do their share by being vigilant and conscious about the source of seafood they are eating,” says Chef Paul Lenz, area executive chef for Shangri-La Philippine properties.
(Makati Shangri-La Manila is located at Ayala Ave. corner Makati Ave., Makati City; with telephone number 813-8888.)
IT’S Valentine’s Day tomorrow, Sunday, February 14, 2016, and it’s time to celebrate love once again. A lot of couples, both those in the dating stage and married ones, are going out on dates. Which is why hotels and restaurants are offering special Valentine’s Day promotions. If you have not decided on where to go for Valentine’s Day, this guide on some of the Valentine’s Day offerings may come in handy.
PREMIUM HANDMADE CHOCOLATES
Valentine’s Day is about chocolates and flowers, and the legendary Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is now in the Philippines to bring the experience of eating premium handmade chocolates to Filipinos. The first shop in the Philippines, which opened on December 16, 2015, can be found at UP Town Center, where a wide range of chocolate treats are available.
Caramel Apples
Premium items include Caramel Apples (crisp, green Granny Smith apples dipped in a variety of yummy toppings), which come in Plain Caramel Apple, Pecan Bear Apple, Rocky Road Caramel Apple, Cheesecake Caramel Apple, Apple Pie Caramel Apple, and Snickers Caramel Apple variants.
Another top favorite is Chocolate Dipped Strawberry (plump, juicy strawberries drenched in creamy milk and rich dark chocolate and sweet white confection).
Also not to be missed are premium bulk chocolates, whose options include Rocky Road Cluster, Peanut Butter Buckets, Almond Bears, Sea Salt Caramel, Toffee Krunch Cluster, and Truffles.
Or you can go for the Assorted Chocolates Gift Box (14.5oz), Grand Assortment Assorted Chocolate Gift Box (48oz.), and Nut and Caramel Chocolates Gift Box.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory also offers rich, delightful beverages such as its signature Rocky Mountain Hot Chocolate, which is warm, rich, creamy, smooth and deliciously sweet; and Caramel Apple flavors—White Strawberry Avalanche Frappe, Tiger Butter Frappe, and Hazelnut Bear Frappe.
For more information on Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and its premium handmade chocolates, visit www.rmcf.com.
A ROMANTIC JOURNEY
Celebrate love at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila on Valentine’s Day.
Surprise your special someone with a staycation. Marco Polo’s Valentine room package, which starts at Php5,800++ is available from February 13 to 15, 2016, with a choice of a buffet breakfast for two at Cucina or an intimate in-room Valentine breakfast for two.
For couples who are looking for a cozy and romantic place to dine, Cucina offers its luscious Valentine-themed buffet spread, dubbed Amor Mio, on February 14, 2016, at Php2,200 per person for lunch or Php2,700 for dinner. Then there’s Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge with delectable buffet tapas at Php2,600 per person, inclusive of welcome drink, for lunch (from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) or dinner (from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.) on February 14, 2016.
For inquiries or reservations, call 720-7777.
ROMANTIC ESCAPE
Ongoing at Richmonde Hotel Ortigas until February 29, 2016, is a Valentine’s Room promo called Hearts & Passion Valentine’s Package, which comes with a breakfast buffet for two, WiFi access, a bottle of wine and a cheese platter, at Php4,800nett for a Deluxe Room and Php5,200nett for a Junior Suite.
Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ Junior Suite
There is also a special Valentine’s Room Only Rate at Php3,900nett for a Deluxe Room and Php4,300nett for a Junior Suite.
For inquiries or reservations, call 638-7777. Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is located at 21 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
SPANISH ROMANTIC DINNER FOR TWO
Chuletas de Cordero ala Parilla (Grilled Lamb Chops)
Langostinos ala Parilla (Grilled Prawns)
If your idea of a romantic dinner for two includes Spanish cuisine on the table, Casa Armas at Greenbelt 2 is the place to go for Valentine’s Day lunch or dinner.
Casa Armas has designed a Valentine menu for a lunch or dinner for two that lets diners enjoy the restaurant’s signature dishes at an affordable price of Php795+ per head. The menu reads: Sopa de Ajo (special garlic soup), Chuletas de Cordero ala Parilla (grilled lamb chop) or Langostinos ala Parilla (grilled prawns) for the entrée, and Virgilio Mascarpone Tiramisu for dessert.
For inquiries, takeout orders or reservations, call 757-4961 or 757-4996.
LOVE, DINE AND UNWIND
Express your love for your special someone on Valentine’s Day with a Valentine concert cum romantic dinner at the Infinity Ballroom of F1 Hotel Manila on February 14, 2016. The Sound of Love Valentine concert features Vanessa Monot, who will be serenading diners right after enjoying a scrumptious 5-course dinner and complimentary glass of wine. Priced at Php2,999nett, dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. while the concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
Vanessa Monot serenades diners at F1 Hotel’s Infinity Ballroom on Valentine’s Day
For guests who want to enjoy a Valentine staycation, the Fort Suite is available for Php6,450nett, inclusive of in-room breakfast for two, a welcome bottle of wine and chocolate sampler, complimentary use of the gym and pool facilities, unlimited WiFi and/or Internet access, and a Php900 discount for the Sound of Love Valentine concert cum dinner. This special promo is available until February 28, 2016.
YES, it’s true. IHOP Philippines is kicking off its third anniversary celebration with an amazing P25 Pancake Promotion.
Ongoing until tomorrow, Friday (February 12, 2016), the promotion lets diners enjoy IHOP’s signature Buttermilk Pancake for only Php25 per piece. This means that if you’re having the 2 Stack Pancakes, it will be just Php50, and if you go for the 4 Stack Pancakes, you pay only Php100. And, yes, you can order as much as you want, since multiple orders of IHOP’s Buttermilk Pancakes for the duration of the promotion are welcome.
Sounds too good to be true?
2 Stack Buttermilk Pancakes
This special promotion forms part of the series of third anniversary activities that IHOP will be having in all of its seven branches (SM Mall of Asia, Filinvest Alabang, Century City Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Araneta Center, U.P. Town Center Mall, and Fairview Terraces Mall). This series of activities shall culminate in the holding of the 2nd National Pancake Day on March 8, 2016. Just like last year, all net proceeds from the National Pancake Day’s Pancake Buffet will be for the benefit of the local Kythe Foundation.
So, catch IHOP’s P25 Pancake Promotion and indulge in the restaurant chain’s 58-year-old proprietary pancake recipe!
IHOP Philippines’ New Red Velvet Pancake Combo
You might also want to taste IHOP Philippines’ new Red Velvet Pancake Combo, which will be available for Php299 from February 12 to 19, 2016, only. Available in all branches of IHOP, this breakfast-meets-dessert combo includes 2 pcs. Red Velvet Buttermilk Pancakes, 2 Eggs Made to Order, Hash Browns, and 2 Strips of Bacon or 2 Sausage Links.
Red Velvet Pancakes can also be enjoyed on their own for Php195.
First established in Toluca Lake California in 1958, IHOP (the International House of Pancakes) serves a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, with its world famous Buttermilk Pancakes as its global icon. It opened its doors to the dining public in the Philippines in 2013 and has been enjoying good patronage since then.
AS the nation—and the rest of the world—celebrated the Chinese New Year last Monday (February 8, 2016), a lot of families shared a festive and auspicious lunch or dinner together. A number of them took advantage of the Chinese New Year lauriat feasts offered by hotels and restaurants.
Over at Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas, Lung Hin Chinese Restaurant was full to capacity, particularly for lunch, with diners coming in to enjoy its Chinese New Year lauriat menu. Small groups of diners occupied the corner tables (all of which were private nooks) and the private function rooms, whose glass windows opened up to a breathtaking view of the Metro Manila cityscape and the mountains beyond.
Occupying the main dining hall were lauriat tables filled with merry-makers, led by Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas’ general manager Franck Reichenbach and director of communications Judith Los Baños, with feng shui expert Marites Allen as special guest. The three of them also led the tossing of the Yu Sheng Salad, which is the Chinese’s auspicious way of beginning a Chinese New Year meal. But not before the even more auspicious Dragon and Lion Dance went around the hotel, including Lung Hin, to spread good luck and prosperity.
A corner table at Lung Hin
Dragon dance to usher in the Year of the Fire Monkey
Marco Polo Ortigas GM Frank Reichenbach (extreme left), feng shui expert Marites Allen (second to the left) put the Yu Sheng Salad together for tossing
The Yu Sheng Salad prosperity toss starts a festive Chinese New Year meal
Then came the Yu Sheng Salad tossing. The Yu Sheng Salad is actually composed of various ingredients that symbolize good wishes for the Chinese New Year. These ingredients are either arranged in mounds in a platter or in small plates positioned around a big bowl. At an auspicious time, the ingredients are combined, and the tossing of the salad is done with giant chopsticks. The higher the toss, the more good luck is expected to come, so it’s one time when it’s alright to make a mess.
Leading the toss and explaining the meaning of each ingredient were Marites Allen and Marco Polo Ortigas’ assistant food and beverage director Janice Chua.
• Fish—signifies abundance throughout the year
• Pomelo or Lime—represents good luck and a smooth sailing year
• Pepper—attracts wealth and treasures
• Oil—poured over in a circling motion to ensure the smooth flow of money in all directions
• Carrots—mean good luck is approaching
• Peanut Crumbs—symbolizes a household full of gold and silver
• Taro Crisps—represent prosperity in business
• Sesame Seeds—also mean prosperity in business throughout the year
• Plum Sauce—is a wish for a life that is always sweet 18
• Radish—represents lots of gold and fortune
• Cucumber—also for good luck
• Ginger—signifies abundance
Steamed Dried Scallops, Sea Moss and Winter Melon in Oyster Sauce
Seafood and Vegetable Soup
Special Baked Lapu-Lapu with Ginger and Onion
Deep-fried Pork Spareribs with Sweet and Hot Sauce
Premium Braised Rice Vermicelli with Prawns
After the prosperity salad tossing, diners took small portions of the salad to represent oneness in wishing for a good year ahead. Then the Chinese New Year lunch began with a lovely lineup of dishes: Steamed Dried Scallops, Sea Moss and Winter melon in Oyster Sauce, plated beautifully, with the dried scallops and sea moss in winter melon cups arranged in a circle around steamed broccoli; Seafood and Vegetable Soup, a flavorful clear soup that has been plated in Western style; Special Baked Lapu-Lapu with Ginger and Onion, served in the casserole where it was cooked and, although a bit bony and a little more effort is required, is so delicious that the effort is worth it; Deep-fried Pork Spareribs with Sweet and Hot Sauce, tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, bathed in the quintessential sweet and sour sauce with just the right spicy kick; and Premium Braised Rice Vermicelli with Prawns, a noodle dish with prawns and quail eggs that represent good health and long life.
Avocado Cream
Deep-fried Lotus Buns
Crystal Custard Dumplings
For dessert, there were three—a must-try Avocado Cream served with sago in a dessert bowl; Deep-fried Lotus Buns, a gourmet variation of buchi interestingly shaped like cuddly porcupines; and Crystal Custard Dumplings, a light steamed dumpling with a light custard filling.
Feng shui expert Marites Allen
While the Chinese New Year lauriat dishes were being served, feng shui expert Marites Allen went around the restaurant and talked to diners about their fortune in the Year of the Fire Monkey. Here’s the essence of her predictions:
• For persons born under the Year of the Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 200—Wealth and career luck continue to shine and build up to 2018, but they should be wary over the big possibility that something important to them can be taken away from them.
• Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)—The Rat and the Ox are secret friends, so the Ox will manage to go through the year peacefully and will be able to bounce back from the not-so-favorable Year of the Sheep (an enemy of the Ox) in 2015.
• Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)—The Tiger is known to be clever but is the enemy of the Monkey, so Tiger people should take it easy, do a lot of charity and engage in noble activities this year.
• Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)—The Rabbit has the prosperity star for the year.
• Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)—The Dragon has the victory star for 2016, so sky’s the limit in terms of luck.
• Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)—The Snake is the secret friend of The Monkey, so it shall be a good year. Snake people can find love in the most unexpected places and should enjoy the year along with their allies, the Rooster and the Dragon.
• Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014)—will have windfall luck this year and just might win windfall prizes, such as raffles and lotto.
• Sheep (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)—So many forms of opportunities will come the way of the Sheep this year, especially in the areas of career and romance.
• Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)—It’s the Monkey’s year, and the victory star shines the brightest for this sign.
• Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)—will experience a good year.
• Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)—Career and romance will be very good for the Dog, although in the area of health, it will not be so good, so Dog people have to take extra care of their health and spend more time with family and friends.
• Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007)—has the water element, so Pig people will have very good luck in the Year of the Monkey.
(Lung Hin can be found on the 44th Floor of Marco Polo Ortigas, located along Meralco Ave., Pasig City.)
