“What is Filipino food?”
Ask this question to a Filipino and the response is a gamut of answers. Let the Filipino explain the answer and the discussion will change from confusing to interesting. The diversity―from ingredients, preparations, cooking techniques, flavors, and presentations―is exactly what makes Filipino food distinctly remarkable!
With May touted as national heritage month and Philippine culinary being one of its rich examples, Marriott Café offers some of the most sought after Filipino dishes and desserts on its buffet stations.
Eating Filipino Food? Use Your Senses!
When was the last time your feet led you straight to the kitchen because the food smelled so good (even the neighbors were intrigued and paid a visit)? It’s a common scenario in Filipino homes where heirloom recipes are savored and shared. Likewise, diners who are seated near the main Filipino station will have the same happy problem. Fortunately, the food is offered in not just one but several stations. Wafting through the air is the inviting aroma of the piping hot Sinigang, Bulalo, and Sopas at the Soup Station.
Look at the different colors of different ingredients used. These reflect the bounty of the land―whether vegetables, herbs, or fruits. At the Filipino Salad Bar, for example, there’s Davao Pomelo and Shrimp Salad with Honey Tamarind dressing, Pako and Lato Salad with Calamansi Vinaigrette, Ensaladang Mangga with Crispy Bagnet, and Tuna Kinilaw. With more than 7,000 islands of lush greens surrounded by the deep blue sea, expect to find buckets of fresh and sustainable seafood harvest at the Seafood in Ice Station like crabs, shrimps, shellfish, and fishes. Simply grab a plate, put as many as your tummy can take, give it to any of the Marriott chefs, and tell them how you would like it to be cooked.
Listen to the shucking of seashells and hear it sizzle. If it’s music to your ears, soon, it will be a fiesta in your taste buds! A few steps on your right are Filipino Appetizers such as Crispy Kangkong, Chicharon Bulaklak, Kwek Kwek, Lumpiang Shanghai, Atchara, and Tokwa’t Baboy. Check out the Local Favorites which include Beef Kaldereta, Adobong Manok sa Gata, Relyenong Bangus, and Chopsuey. These viands are perfectly paired with Pinasingaw na Kanin or Kanin sa Ginisang Bagoong. For Chicken Inasal and Lechon Pork Belly, go to the Roasting Station. At the Grill Station, you will find Pork Gizzard Skewers, Chicken Gizzard Skewers, and Pork Belly Skewers. To add to the heady flavors of Filipino food, Marriott Café also has a Live Okoy Station and a Kare-Kare Station. Dip your crispy baby shrimp fritters in spiced vinegar, garlic soy sauce, and sweet chilli, or have the liberty to choose which ingredients and how many of these you want to add in your Kare-Kare.
At the Dessert Station, Philippine fruits in season are served alongside Buko Pandan, Leche Flan, Cassava Cake, Sapin-Sapin, Suman Cassava, Brazo de Mercedes, Ube Halaya, Binignit, Halo-Halo and other signature sweet endings. Even the server dressed as ‘Mamang Sorbetero’ is all smiles serving the gelato in halo-halo flavor, ube pastillas, buko pandan and other refreshing ice cream flavors.
Thirsty for more?
Marriott Café’s ‘Samalamig Station’ serves Melon, Gulaman, and Buko Pandan “at the corner of Kalaw Avenue and UN Avenue” where heaps of fresh buko are also on display.
What is Filipino Food?
It can be a regional specialty, tweaked to suite the taste of one town to the other, part of an indigenous celebration, influenced by a fellow Asian or a conqueror, then passed from one generation to another. It’s crispy, salty, sweet, bitter, sour, or savory. At Marriott Café’s Art-Taste-Tic, feel free to grab your plates and utensils, and be mesmerized by the taste of the Philippine islands!
Indulge on this delightful dinner feast available until June 12, 2016. Buffet starts at 6PM and ends at 10PM. To know more about the Philippine Heritage Month celebrations at Marriott Hotel Manila, call (02) 9889999 or visit manilamarriott.com. To keep up on their latest offerings, follow @marriottmanila on Facebook and Twitter and @manilamarirott on Instagram and Snapchat.
