A Taste of Summer awaits at The Manila Hotel

As summer sets the tone for leisurely days and sun-soaked gatherings, The Manila Hotel invites guests to embrace the season with a thoughtfully curated selection of food and beverage experiences, each designed to be savored, shared, and remembered.

At the heart of its summer offerings is the return of the much-loved Dim Sum All-You-Can at Red Jade, featuring unlimited servings of classics such as Pork and Shrimp Siomai, Hakaw or Steamed Crystal Shrimp Dumpling, Vegetable Spring Roll, Seafood Taro Puff, Asado Roll, and Ham Sui Kok, alongside a selection of cold cuts, rice, noodles, hearty mains like Sliced Chicken with Szechuan Chili Sauce, Crispy Fried Pork Ribs, Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet, and rounded off with dessert. Dim Sum All-You-Can is priced at Php 1,588 nett per person and is available Monday to Friday, from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Adding a celebratory touch, birthday celebrants dine for free when accompanied by four full-paying guests, making it an ideal setting for intimate gatherings and family celebrations.

At the Lobby Lounge, the mood turns light and playful, offering a refreshing escape from the midday heat. Guests can cool down with a vibrant selection of Summer Ice Cream creations featuring delightful options such as Banana Kit Kat Crepe, Banofee Sundae, Brownie Bliss a la Mode, Mixed Berry Yogurt Sundae, and Tropical Sundae.

For those craving something more savory, The Ultimate Pork Burger features a juicy pork patty layered with complementary flavors for a rich and satisfying bite, priced at Php 700 nett per order.

Ultimate Pork Burger

Afternoons unfold at a gentler pace with the hotel’s signature Afternoon Tea, a charming spread of both savory and sweet bites. From Pork Floss Sandwich and Japanese Tamago Sandwich to Asian Mushroom Spring Rolls, Pineapple Tart, Carrot Cake, Plain and Mixed Fruit Scones. Adding a distinctly Filipino touch are bite-sized servings of The Manila Hotel’s beloved bibingka and puto bumbong, best enjoyed with hot chocolate, coffee, or tea, while accompanied by live piano music. Priced at Php 1,688 nett and best shared by two, it is a delightful way to spend the day sharing tea and stories.

For those seeking a more interactive experience, a D.I.Y. Gin and Tonic selection is available at the Tap Room and Lobby Lounge. Guests may craft their own refreshing blend by choosing their preferred gin and enhancing it with dried botanicals, citrus zest, fresh fruits, and aromatics garnishes—offering a personal twist to a classic cocktail.

Complementing these offerings is a featured wine selection available across all dining outlets.

Showcased this month are Queen Adelaide Chardonnay, known for its crisp and refreshing profile, and Queen Adelaide Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied red wine with rich and robust notes.

Over at the Delicatessen, the Tropical Harmony Cake captures the essence of summer every bite—light, luscious, and indulgently golden. Freshly baked Sourdough bread is also available, offering a rustic and wholesome option for everyday enjoyment or thoughtful gifting.

Tropical Harmony Cake

For those who prefer to dine in the comfort of their own space, M Takeout provides a convenient yet elevated option. With a wide selection of solo meals, rice and noodle bowls, and home buffet sets featuring Chinese specialties, Filipino favorites, and Halal options, guests can effortlessly recreate The Manila Hotel dining experience at home or in the office. Whether for casual gatherings, working lunches, or intimate celebrations, including a Dim Sum Hot Box is available for a satisfying feast wherever the moment calls.

Dim Sum Hot Box

For inquiries and reservations, call +632 85270011 or +632 53015500, email restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

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Fast food summer desserts in the Philippines

Though the weather department doesn't officially announce summer, I can already feel the heat and it makes me crave for cold desserts. Good thing that there are available fast food chains around and all I have to do is to satisfy my cravings to beat the heat. I found 3 items from 3 famous food chains of the Philippines and are new experiments of the traditional items that we all love: ICE CREAM and HALO-HALO.

Now I would like to share to you (in case you haven't tried them yet) my opinions on these three desserts. First, I tried them because of the inviting food styling visuals that are presented at their counters.

Mang Inasal's Crema De Leche
Topping ice shavings, this babe puts sweetened bananas, macapuno strips and leche flan. Drizzled with milk. Each piece is soft, chewy and just the right sweetness that's why I loved it. Though it would be better if you mix it well first before you indulge. The leche flan is very delicious, probably made with just egg yolks that's why it tastes very special.

Tokyo Tokyo's Salted Caramel Snow Ice
Tried the Nutty Caramel variant. The ice shavings are so fine that you can almost feel like it's ice cream. It is also like the ice is made up of caramel already before serving. Who knows but the kitchen crew right?

Jollibee's Reese's Mix-ins 
Tried this because I just love Reese's. Only topped on your regular vanilla ice cream.

So what have you tried this summer?

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How to make your own Gelato Affogato?

when we had our vacation in Puerto Galera this weekend, i just realized how Italian recipes are so easy to make. in my excitement to share you this yummy dessert in this hot weather, here is the recipe for Gelato Affogato:

you need the following ingredients:
Vanilla ice cream
1 shot of Espresso coffee
chocolate syrup
marshmallows (optional)

directions:
1. drizzle chocolate syrup in a goblet. turn the goblet like you're making a swirl.
2. get 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream.
3. pour espresso on top of ice cream.
4. drizzle again with chocolate syrup and top with marshmallow. serve.

see? it's so easy! i'm definitely doing this at home. thank you to my friend who showed us how to do it.

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Chef Bernard.com opens the Spring and Summer Collection

in honor of design and of good health, Chef Bernard.com now offers its Spring and Summer collection of entrees for all walks of life. the tasty home-made dishes done in a contemporary way will surely entice those who love food and those who like to relax.
awake your senses with their warm Pancit Molo. a well-seasoned lean ground pork wrapped in homemade wonton wrapper. simmered to perfection in stock from scratch. a single sip would make you go for more while its best served hot.
a very refreshing Vietnamese Spring Roll is a unique reinvention of the Filipino staple Adobo. where its flakes, rolled with rice vermicelli, basil, mint and lettuce wrapped in rice paper wrapper gives the palate a surprise when dipped in peanut hoi sin sauce. soft from the outside with a kick of crunch in the inside is a very entertaining treat. first to my taste is a grain-like Quinoa Salad. mini seed-like matter seasoned with sweetness of maybe honey and vinegar with a hint of chili would give you a curious smile.
stuffed chicken is not just for Christmas. you can enjoy it anytime with Chef Bernard.com. go all the way of tenderness of boneless chicken stuffed wit meat and vegetables baked to perfection, served with its own dripping made into gravy with pickled squash and kamote puree.
the Filipino table is not identified without the Kare-kare. in their seafood version, you won't need any of bagoong for siding because you'll love it better with the sweet peanut sauce on its own. more of healthy and light, Chef Bernard.com offers this as opening for the Lenten season where everyone is conscious about eating meat.
but if you love pork so much, the Pork Binagoongan is a must-try. this soft meat can be cut by a spoon, melting in your mouth and a sweet satisfaction is guaranteed. it is cooked with devoted time and deglazed with sate. best to eat with grilled eggplant and steamy rice.
please reserve a space for dessert with their Chocolate Raspberry Mousse. Hershey's chocolate cream at the bottom with the soft raspberry mousse on top is to adore.
Chef Bernard.com is another business venture with renowned fashion designer, Randy Ortiz. from a person who deals with fashion, he is a self-confessed food lover, not very picky and non-discriminating. graduating from De La Salle University of Hotel and Restaurant Management, food has been around him for quite sometime. his business partner, Chef Bernard Banares, a former professional model and studied culinary in various schools like Le Cordon Bleu, put out the stories of the food served above with his exceptional skills in cooking. with much knowledge Chef Bernard has gained from studying, he still devoted his cooking to Asian fusion that the restaurant serves.

Randy Ortiz and Bernard Banaresthe vision of the two has gave birth to Chef Bernard.com, a cozy place to relax and enjoy the food with your friends. a spacious area well-lit and very comfortable. displaying cleanliness in design with a see-through kitchen.

Chef Bernard.com is found at Unit A, Greenbelt Radissons 7, 106 Aguirre St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. you can call 7519415 loc 222 for reservations or orders.

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