“THERE’S a Marco Polo Hotels exchange program wherein each property will serve a sister company’s unique food and beverage special,” said Chef Alex Destriza of the Davao property.
His menu is the Oh! Pomelo. The signature fruits-based set menu highlights the popular Davao fruit in all the courses of the meal. It will make its rounds in the different restaurants of Marco Polo.
Exciting? Yes, but you have to visit the other properties to enjoy it.
We, however, were lucky. When the Marco Polo Hong Kong hotels’ communication team flew to town, they gathered the Davao and Cebu media for an exclusive fine-dining experience serving the Oh! Pomelo. We didn’t have to leave Davao to try it after all!
We started with the Ceviche of prawn and swordfish with grilled calamari and pomelo as appetizer. The tender and tasty pieces were quick to disappear from my plate.
The creamy seafood soup was heavenly—veloute of seafood with poached sea scallop, white fish, clams and pomelo tempura. I was tempted to ask for another bowl.
For the clear palate we were served the pomelo and mini sorbet. It had this distinctive tangy pomelo flavor with the minty flavoring. It was delightful.
I relished my choice of main course— the slow-baked salmon fillet with pomelo mango kaffir lime salsa, saffron cream and pomelo hollandaise, while the others feasted on their braised beef short ribs with truffle mashed potato, pomelo salad, and bee jus.
The dessert of pomelo chilled cheesecake, vodka pomelo jelly was just fine.
Oh! Pomelo, you’re so fine. You have to put that soup in your regular menu, Chef Alex.
Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com. For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit ofapplesandlemons.com & jeepneyjinggoy.com