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thehungrykat1 · 4 months

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Kingsford Cafe is a Hidden Culinary Gem in Kingsford Hotel Manila

It had been a while since my last visit to Kingsford Cafe, so I was happy to be invited last week to rediscover this hidden culinary gem inside Kingsford Hotel Manila. I usually indulge in their themed weekend dinner buffets, but this time we were here to explore some of the unique and creative dishes on their a la carte menu.

Kingsford Hotel Manila is part of the growing lineup of homegrown Filipino hotel brands under Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. It’s located at Bagong Nayong Pilipino, just beside Okada Manila and right in the middle of the bustling Entertainment City. Since it's opening in late 2021 (Kingsford Café Opens Its Doors at Kingsford Hotel Manila), the hotel has been a popular choice for businessmen and travelers looking for a relaxing stay just minutes away from the NAIA airport terminals.

You can find Kingsford Café at the ground floor lobby serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The café comes with a refreshing and relaxing ambiance. Its contemporary design and cozy interiors are complemented with beautiful wall art pieces.

The restaurant can accommodate up to 128 guests with dedicated seats available for alfresco dining. Guests may also dine privately with sectioned dining spaces ideal for intimate corporate events and other social gatherings.

We were delighted to once again meet Kingsford Café’s Executive Chef Angelo Chubby Timban, a well adorned champion in international cooking competitions and celebrated for his creativity and passion for the craft. Staying close to his roots, Chef Chubby’s dishes pay homage to a strong Filipino upbringing but redefined through modern European techniques alongside contemporary Asian executions. The concept is to celebrate the rich produce of the Philippines and its multicultural influences by featuring nostalgic local flavors to capture the heart of every guest.

Last year, Chef Chubby had created a very special Sampaguita Menu which features dishes inspired and infused with our national flower, the Sampaguita. This also includes Sampaguita beverages like the SaMaRRa (P320) on the left, a refreshing Sampaguita tea combined with mango juice, tarragon leaves, peppermint leaves, and vanilla extract. On the other hand, the Paraw Regatta (P280) is a cocktail named after the annual Iloilo sailboat festival featuring the Paraw. It comes with Jasmine tea, vodka, mango juice, blue curaçao, and grenadine.

It was then time to try some of the featured signature dishes in Kingsford Café's a la carte menu. I've always been amazed at Chef Chubby's presentation and flavors, but we were really surprised with the new lineup that looks more appropriate inside a five-star fine dining restaurant instead of a casual dining cafe.

We started with one of their bestsellers, the Kingsford Laksa (P300). This is a modern presentation of the Singaporean laksa with its creamy laksa broth poured over a medley of shrimp, bean sprouts, crisp miki noodles, young corn and straw mushrooms. It's a different experience from the traditional laksa, especially with the crispy noodles, but the overall flavors of the fragrant laksa are still very much present.

My favorite and best new discovery that afternoon was the Kare-Kareng Bagnet (P450). This lovely deconstructed Kare-kare dish comes with crispy fried pork belly doused in a rich peanut and annatto sauce. It also has steamed lowland vegetables and served with slow cooked ginamos.

I really loved the crunchy chicharron together with the juicy and savory pork belly. This is one of the best versions of Kare Kare I have ever tasted and I would gladly come back to Kingsford Cafe just for this alone.

We also wanted to sample some of their special Sampaguita Menu, so we ordered the Gambas Royale (P580). This dish has big pieces of prawn al ajillo presented with Lucban risotto, soffits, asparagus, sampaguita, and mango salsa. It's not your usual Spanish-type gambas as it has less of the garlicky flavors but is more savoury and balanced, especially with the risotto and vegetables.

On the other hand, the Bistek Tagalog (P500) is a twist on the traditional Filipino dish. This one comes with thick and fatty roasted beef belly with grilled cauliflower, roasted rustic potatoes, monggo and sampaguita caviar in a caramelized calamansi and lacuna jus sauce. I've never seen Bistek Tagalog served this way but we really enjoyed this thicker, meatier, and more flavorful version.

For desserts, we also tried two of their colorful Sampaguita items that really put a big smile on my face.

The Sakura Brazo de Mercedes (P300) is as pretty as they get. This has a mixed berry mousse cake on the bottom topped with a cherry micro sponge and chocolate branch with edible soil. Usually, you can only find this type of presentation in fine dining restaurants, so I was really impressed that they serve this here at a very reasonable price. Imagine going on a date and being served this dessert. You will really be going home happy.

But that's not all, because I was even more impressed with the Mango Sampaguita Cheesecake (P320). I have eaten so many cheesecakes before but this was one of the best versions I have ever tasted! This deconstructed cheesecake is made with Sampaguita cream cheese, mango jelly, blueberry, and edible soil. The sweet cheesecake tasted like my favorite Hokkaido milk, so I really loved finishing this splendid dish.

Kingsford Hotel Manila also has a few promotions in store for Father's Day. Show your love for Dad in the best way—through his stomach. Take him to a tasty food trip experience with a Weekend Dinner Buffet or a Father’s Day Buffet Lunch and bond over delectable food selections as endless as your conversations. Go up to the fifth floor pool area for a savory Chill and Grill, and chatter over unlimited drinks and a platter of grilled meats against a stunning backdrop of the city. Then end the day relaxed and stress-free with their cozy Deluxe Room, with a high-speed internet connection and a TV for a fun movie time–just the way dad likes it.

Moments are definitely priceless, and so is their Kingsford Beer Mug! Make the moment last with a souvenir that he can use for years, and get your dad’s seal of approval at no cost, as the Beer Mug comes free with the room package. The King of the House Package starts at P8,988 nett for 2 pax and includes an Overnight Stay for 2, Buffet Breakfast for 2, Weekend Buffet Dinner or Father’s Day Lunch for 2, Chill and Grill for Dad, and a free Kingsford Beer Mug for Dad. The package is available from June 14 to June 16, 2024 only.

We also took home some chocolates courtesy of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts which features eight different flavors representing eight of their outstanding local hotel brands. We would like to thank Lance Bermejo, Marketing Officer of Kingsford Hotel Manila, for inviting us back at Kingsford Cafe to try out these wonderful new dishes. Kingsford Cafe is one of the most underrated and best value-for-money hotel restaurants in the city, so make sure to drop and discover this hidden gem.

Kingsford Café

G/F Kingsford Hotel Manila, Bagong Nayong Pilipino, Entertainment City, Parañaque

8888-6388 / (0917) 8053585

www.kingsfordmanila.com

www.facebook.com/kingsfordmanila

#KingsfordCafe #KingsfordManila #Hotel #Cafe #MegaworldHotelsandResorts

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thehungrykat1 · 5 years

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Dekada Historical Filipino Cuisine Opens at Royale Parc Tagaytay

There’s a new restaurant in Tagaytay that takes guests on a culinary journey through Philippine history. Dekada elevates authentic Filipino dining with their interpretation of well-loved local dishes named after heroes and historical events. I had a chance to dine at Dekada during my recent stay at the Royale Parc Hotel Tagaytay (Read: Royale Parc Hotel Tagaytay Reopens With New Refreshing Design) and I was really happy to find this new Tagaytay discovery.

Dekada is the in-house Filipino restaurant of Royale Parc Hotel, which is located along the main Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway along the popular Tagaytay ridge. It is open daily from 7am to 10pm and is available for both hotel and walk-in guests. I knew the name sounded familiar because apparently, they have another branch located in Glorietta, Makati, but the gentle breeze and the Tagaytay weather makes this experience much more memorable.

Dekada is actually a franchised brand from the same group that operates SumoSam restaurant. Here, classic and contemporary tastes merge well together. The restaurant’s interior features traditional and modern elements – wood and capiz create a nostalgic atmosphere while industrial finishes and pop artworks of Filipino heroes give it a touch of the present.

Aside from the ambience, its location also plays a role in its culinary offerings. As Tagaytay is known for its abundance of local produce, guests can expect to feast on freshly prepared dishes made with ingredients that came straight from the local market.

Filipino pride and history is prevalent throughout the restaurant, so diners really get a sense of being part of Philippine pop culture and tradition.

A take out counter is also available for those who want to get some pastries to bring back to Manila or some beverages on the go.

Guests staying at Royale Parc Tagaytay have their complimentary buffet breakfast here at Dekada. There’s a wide selection of breakfast favorites like tocino, sausages, eggs, chicken adobo, fruits and juices.

I enjoyed my breakfast at Dekada, but we will also be having our lunch here later, so I made sure I still had space for more. I went back to my room to relax the rest of the morning and before I knew it, it was time for lunch!

Dekada’s walk down Philippine history starts with Lumpiang Palabok – a bite-sized palabok wrapped in rice paper with grilled mahi-mahi. This is inspired by Antonio Pigafetta’s first account of the Spaniards’ visit to the Philippines when they were served roast mahi-mahi with rice wrapped in leaves. Fresh greens are also abundant in the highland city – and Dekada makes use of these through their “Ensaladas de Alianza” which refer to the first alliances of the Filipinos and Spaniards, inspired by the best regional flavors. The Legazpi (Sinuglaw Salad), hails from Cebu and Davao with its tanigue and smoked liempo, finished off with Davao’s pomelo and sinamak vinaigrette, a famous spiced vinegar from Iloilo.

Homenajes Arroz or Rice Tributes refer to the practice of offering rice to God as a token of gratitude for a good harvest, and Dekada’s rice options go beyond the usual with the Benedictino (Aligue and Alimasag fried rice), Franciscano (Dilis Rice), Dominicano (Adobo Rice), and Agustino (Bagoong Rice).

Dekada’s main dishes involve a short history lesson on the Sons of the Revolution which includes Del Pilar (chicken inasal), Aguinaldo (twice-cooked adobo), and Pinoy-style oven-roasted chicken named Ponce. Our special media lunch was served buffet style so we also got to try the General Chicken and Lechon Manok.

The Hukbalahan or pinakbet is another Filipino favorite that is part of our culinary tradition.

I really like the Tydings-McDuffie which had jumbo boneless bangus in chili garlic with soy glaze and onions.

You can also order the Crispy Pla Pla with its crunchy fillets dipped in toyo-mansi, or try the Kare Kareng Bagnet which is another recommended dish,

But the main highlight at our Dekada lunch was the sizzling bulalo steak named after National Hero Jose Rizal. This is made with Tagaytay’s freshest beef resulting in a very tender and flavorful steak dish.

All-day merienda fares like Pancit Palabok, Pancit Bihon, tokwa’t baboy, okoy, and palitaw are also available. So if you want to experience authentic Filipino dining that goes beyond the plate, visit Dekada Historic Filipino Cuisine at Royale Parc Tagaytay and enjoy a timeless culinary journey around the Philippines.

Dekada Historic Filipino Cuisine

Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Junction West, Tagaytay City

0923-0889055 / 0915-6959588 / (02) 984-1297 / (046) 402-1980

www.facebook.com/royaleparchoteltagaytay

#Dekada #DekadaPH #Filipino #Tagaytay #Restaurant #Bulalo #Steak

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