|
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Hotel-hopping, anyone?
By Chinggay Utzurrum
The scene
WHAT’s on the festive hotel calendars these days? A pre-Yuletide treat at the Cebu City Marriot Hotel (CCMH) is the presence of renowned pianist/composer and musical director Franz Langer who will welcome all to “Good evening, Australia!” This will be a limited engagement performance at the hotel’s lobby lounge from Nov. 21-27 from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. and from 8 to 10 p.m.
Langer’s fame started with the staging of the “Sound of Music” singers show in Salzburg (Austria) where almost a quarter of a million people have seen and listened and enjoyed the rapture and rhythm of the classically-trained singers.
Aside from the unforgettable tunes, “Do-re-mi,” “The Hills are Alive,” “Climb Every mountain,” etc., Langer will also enthrall lounge habitués with music of the master, Broadway faves and what-have-you!
****
There have been two ultra-successful foodfests at Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, like one every month…very good batting average! First, the resort brought in Singapore-based guest Chef Tay Boon Aik, from Trader’s Hotel Singapore, to create seafood gems at the Cowrie Cove. Gourmets and seafood lovers gushed over his “Chili Crab,” “Asian Black Pepper Crab” and “Spring Onion and Ginger Crab,” etc.
When not cooking, Chef Tay conducted cooking classes for chef wannabes! The lowly mushrooms was given world-class status at the Paparazzi Italian Resto of the Shang when Chef Marco Anzani released his creative juices to concoct an array of mouth-watering dishes all with mushrooms. The world of mushrooms instantly came alive!
Until Nov. 30, treat yourself to Potato Gnoochi with Porcini Mushroom, Creamy Polenta with Mushroom Ragu, etc.
The “Il Mondo Mushroom Festival” will also feature Chef Anzani’s special recipes tomorrow, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m. inclusive of dinner. For reservations, please call 2318-277 and look for Jaja or Din.
****
“Panunuluyan,” a Filipino heritage Christmas, is what Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati has in store for its guests, who have been missing a venerable Christmas with its Pinoy customs and classic cuisine! With the Department of Tourism’s seal and support, the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. and Unilever, the theme features aristocratic 19th century Yuletide feasts that were held in the country’s stately mansions that marked a special era in Philippine history!
“Panunuluyan” kicked off last Nov. 17 with a cultural troupe from Bulacan, followed by a tree-lighting ceremony at the Captain’s Bar. The giant tree, the pivotal accent of the heritage group, features at its base a crèche set in a “bahay na bato” designed and executed by Dez Bautista, renowned heritage and culture conservationist. Will give you more Christmas updates from Mandarin in the next few days.
****
Standing at the crossroads of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares is the Heritage Hotel at the strategic corner of Edsa and Roxas Blvd. A main ingredient of the Heritage’s popularity, aside from its being a daily testament to the famed Manila Bay Sunset, is its mile-long breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet at the Restaurant Riviera.
The varied choices of Filipino, Chinese, Japanese to western dishes plus the manner of presentation and taste, is truly amazing…the only thing preventing us from consuming more is the size of our stomachs! Even the pastry/dessert section groans with the richness and top quality of its crème brulees, gateus, breads, pannacottas and mousses!
That evening, director of communications of the hotel, Regina Kabigting, and her Taipan boss, GM Eddie B.H. Yeo, reminded me during dinner that they also had a pulsating 24-hour casino at the hotel’s basement and second floor…Come and join me!
(November 24, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
