Joyfully Yours

If you've been following my blog, you'll see that Cucina offers sumptuous buffet (my previous blogs: 5 Stops at Cucina's Weekend Fiesta and "All Things Swiss" Food Festival at Marco Polo Ortigas) that will make anyone go to food coma heaven.

A few months ago, I was quite surprised to experience Cucina's new menu launch which unified the flavors of Manila, Cebu and Davao in its restaurant's four walls. I've always thought this restaurant only offers buffet and was so happy that I get to try its ala carte offerings which sort of unified the 3 major cities of the Philippines which coincidentally are where Marco Polo Hotels in the Philippines are.

The following signature set menu are based on each island's special fruits - pineapple for Manila, mango for Cebu and pomelo for Davao. These 3 sets are also composed of 3-course menu which will introduce the flavors of the island one chooses.

Piña Mania is composed of courses that are infused with the flavors of pineapples that will give you a taste of Manila - sweet with a little tang.

Grilled Tiger Prawns with Pineapple-Mango Salad

The smoky taste of the grilled tiger prawns is complemented by the pineapple-mango salad which gives it a sweet aftertaste. The fresh crisp vegetables on the side washes the palate after.

Crispy Pata stuffed with Foie Gras and topped with Pineapple Salsa

This salty and sweet treat is just an epitome of the flavor every Filipino love! I like how the crispiness of the crispy pata blends with the pineapple salsa then paired with rice that makes it absolutely heavenly!

Pineapple Tamale

It's a pastry crust with pineapple filling topped with minted coconut jelly (AKA macapuno) and mango custard on a side. This is actually my favorite dish out of all! It reminds me of turon (a crunchy spring roll filled with banana and jackfruit and its skin crystallized by brown sugar). Since I love crunchy food and I love custard, this dish just made me fall in love with it instantly!

Mango Bango is made of classic favorites infused with the sweetness of mango best represented by the delicious mangos of Cebu.

Pasta Ravioli with Crabmeat and Mango

I find this dish very innovative. Who would've thought crabmeat with mango will taste good together in other form that is not the famous Japanese kani salad? The sweetness of the mango together with the saltiness of the crabmeat gives the dish a sweeter note. The tomato sauce and shavings of parmesan cheese gives the dish a whole new level of yumminess!

Mango Surf and Turf

Medium well flavorful beef tenderloin and melt in your mouth grilled grouper with adobong kang kong (a classic Filipino vegetable dish cooked in soy sauce and vinegar), sake-induced beef jus topped with mango slices. One can choose to eat it with either mashed potato or rice.

Cheesecake and Mango Jam Creme Brulee

The cheesecake is very smooth and heavenly with the mango. The creme brulee is also a wonderful delight to eat together with the sweet mango.

Oh! Pomelo is of course dishes with the goodness of pomelo which is the superstar fruit in Davao. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try this during the launch but with all the other dishes above, I bet it's going to be wonderful. According to the menu, Oh! Pomelo will be composed of Ceviche of Prawn with Grilled Calamari & Pomelo, Slow baked Salmon Fillet with Pomelo and Chilled Pomelo Cheesecake & Vodka Pomelo Jelly. Doesn't those dishes sound tempting to you?

Last but not the least, do not forget to try Marco Polo's Signature Earl Grape Iced Tea!

Earl Grape Iced Tea

A very extravagant iced tea with extraordinary taste which is refreshingly light and washes away all flavors of what you've eaten cleanly! It's like a reset button. The Earl Grape Iced Tea is composed of cold earl gray tea which is the beverage's base then poured over frozen seedless grapes and elder-flower infused ice cubes. Press the grapes a bit before drinking it to get the complex flavor of grapes, earl tea and elder-flower blending in together then put the syrup in to get the sweetness level of your choice. I actually prefer to put a few drops (yes drops!) only because I don't want to overpower the natural sweetness of the grapes in the drink. Also, I'd like to leave all sweetness in the dessert part of the meal.

Every order of Earl Grape Iced Tea comes with freshly baked lokum or Turkish delight to accentuate the flavors of the drink.

Based on Marco Polo Ortigas's website, this offering is available until December 31, 2016. For reservations or dining inquiries, you may call Cucina at (+632)720-7720 or email restaurant.mnl@marcopolohotels.com.

Experience the flavors of Switzerland in Marco Polo Ortigas until September 4, 2016, as they bring in Cucina all the delectable food choices that are meant to conquer one's palate. Upon hearing Swiss food festival, I can't stop myself from imagining the cheese, the meats and the chocolates that will be there!

The entrance of Cucina greets diners with a huge banner that transports one from Manila to Switzerland.

The raclette station is a must visit! Look at this gorgeous video.
And my here goes my plate of raclette with pearl onions, marble potatoes and pickle.
It's the very first thing I got when I went in! Honestly, I did not even go to my seat yet and I have already gone to the line to get my fill of raclette. Yes, it's that's attractive!

After my fill of the raclette, I went over to the appetizers and checked out what's in store.

This quiche might look very plain but it's amazingly good! The crust is buttery and crunchy while the egg is fluffy but firm. My 1 year old baby loved it! I think she ate 2 big slices of this!

Quiche Photo by: Eugene of Hefty Foodie

Must not skip this sandwich. It's so good, creamy and buttery! The meat just melts in your mouth!

Parma Ham Sandwich Photo by: Eugene of Hefty Foodie

Chorizo Sandwich Photo by: Eugene of Hefty Foodie

Tuna Sandwich Photo by: Eugene of Hefty Foodie

The ribeye steak is just fantastic! It's so tender and flavorful. A slice is just not enough! I think I had a lot of this!

Angus Ribeye Steak Photo by: Eugene of Hefty Foodie

The Spaetzle is a soft egg noodle which is good with the raclette on top.

Spaetzle

Tomato Omelette

Baked Oysters

Jelly Terrine

Veal Sausage Salad

Chicken, Cold Cuts and Cheese Salad

Cabbage Salad with Bacon

Smoked Trout

Wild Rice Salad

The desserts are not to be missed too! The chocolates were superb!

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles Photo by: Eugene of Hefty Foodie

The Swiss Carrot Cake is something special. One must try this too! It's not the regular carrot cake that you see around. It seems like the cake was soaked in lots of sweet milk but it's not dripping wet. It's just perfectly moist and good in every bite. :)
The schaenkali is also a must try! It's a lemon flavored pastry that's soft and sweet. It melts in your mouth when you bite it. A very refreshing treat!
If you're already salivating, go make a reservation today! The "All Things Swiss" Food Festival is until Sept 4 only! To make your reservations, call (02)7207720 or email restaurant.mnl@marcopolohotels.com. The rates are: Mondays - Thursday lunch is P1,500 nett while dinner is P1,800 nett. Friday to Sunday lunch is P2,300 nett while dinner is P2,650 nett.

Look at that big tuna! Can you see how clear its eye is? It's an indication of its freshness! Yummy!

Tuna sashimi

Fresh oysters

Elephant shell

Prawns

Different fresh fishes that are ready to be grilled

Blue marlin, Maya-maya and Tuna Fillet

Tuna Skewers with chicken and pork skewers

Salmon sashimi

Kani salad maki - It's like California Maki with extra crabsticks and mayo topped with ebiko!

Tuna Ceviche

Freshly baked elephant shell with cheese, chopped garlic and butter! I requested for this lovely dish! The elephant shells were cooked perfectly so you can still taste its inherent sweetness with the goodness of cheesy garlic butter. It's so good that how I wish I can just keep eating these!

The Rack of Ribeye Steak I requested for the part where the bones are and had them grilled! They are actually the best part because the concentration of flavors are there!

Despite eating the meat on the bones, I just can't help to get attracted by this wonderful looking piece of meat! I had a slice and it's heaven in a bite! Soft, juicy, warm and meaty good!

Lechon Kawali Look at that crispy skin that invites a bite!

Crispy Pata Yes, look at that bubbly skin that's like chicharon and good with lots of vinegar on it.

Cochinillo This is the real star of the carving! Say hello to crispy skin with soft, almost melting meat that's good even without sauce!

Lechon Manok I need rice with this! The meat is so flavorful and soft with hints of lemongrass, calamansi and good with liver sauce.

Inihaw na Liempo It's my comfort food that's very familiar and a must eat because of its citrusy grilled taste! Soy sauce, vinegar & chopped garlic sauce, it's good!

I love how the other Filipino food were presented! It feels like I'm transported to a province that's having a fiesta!

Salted Eggs I know this is not grilled meat but I love salted egg with rice and grilled meats! Don't you? I'm so glad they have this as part of the buffet spread!

This is the Asian Noodle Area with Vietnamese Pho and Egg Noodle for you to choose from.

Here's the array of pasta! Focus on the Squid Ink Pasta. It's actually very tasty with marinara seafood sauce but I wasn't able to take a photo of my plate. Yes, I ate it right away! Ooopsss for that. It was THAT GOOD! So try it!

Truffle Mashed Potato It's good as a side dish of the pasta. I know it's carb galore but as long as it's good, just go!

Boiled Marble Potatoes Another favorite of mine with the pasta. Well, it might look plain but it's also good when you have extra sauce on the plate! ;)

Fruit Jalousie Mango, custard on a bed of soft pastry.

Ice cream

Berries Cake

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

Chocolate Crinkles

Chocolate Cake Pops with Chopped Pistachios

Caramelized Walnut Tart

Chocolate Tartlet

My avocado ice cream with an oatmeal raisin cookie!

Apple and Carrot Juice